St. Joseph’s Primary School, Parents’ Support Group
Trustees report for 1[st] April 2022 – 31[st] March 2023
Over the last couple of years, the Covid pandemic has affected the operation and running of the Parents’ Support Group. Necessary restrictions and health and safety measures have meant that we were unable to run as many events as we’d have liked to and no events at all involving gatherings of people, effectively ruling out regular fixtures such as the Sports Day BBQ/ Tuck shop, pub quiz, cinema night, etc. This has had a severe impact on the chief objectives of the Parents’ Support Group, which are to raise money to enhance and advance the educational environment and resources available to pupils of the school and to develop and encourage relationships between pupils, staff, parents and the wider local community.
Restrictions were beginning to become less stringent over the Spring season of 2022 but limitations were still being placed on the number of people who could attend school events and we were very aware of the health concerns and financial strain on many families so any event considered needed to be as optional and non-contact as possible.
SMARTIES CHALLENGE
On 13[th] April 2022, all pupils were presented with a tube of Smarties to take home and enjoy over the Easter holidays. They were asked to fill the tube with as many 20p pieces as they could and bring it back on their return. This allowed all children to receive a little treat and families could contribute what they could afford completely anonymously. The Smarties cost £68.07 and the event raised £931.39.
SPORTS DAY
During Sports Day on 2[nd] June a limited number of spectators were permitted to attend. We donated provisions for a coffee and snack station at cost of £58.05.
Following on from the Summer holidays, we were once again able to hold an in-person AGM. This was held on the 22[nd] November 2022 and the committee positions were filled by;
Chairperson – Michaela Devlin
Secretary – Lynne Small
Treasurer – Anna Murray
During the AGM, it was unanimously agreed that we would like to introduce some new fundraising activities to the calendar and, with restrictions being on indoor event now lifted, a disco was the most popular idea.
CHRISTMAS DISCO
We decided to run our first disco during the run-up to the Christmas holidays and in coordination with school staff who allowed us to use the school hall and local DJ, who provided their services for free, this event successfully took place on the evening of Thursday 15[th] December. Pupils booked in through the school money app and at a cost of £3 per child this raised £570.
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
Every year we are amazed by the generosity of the school community and local businesses who never fail to donate fantastic prizes and spend their hard-earned money on tickets for our annual Christmas raffle. The morning of the draw is always hugely exciting one for all of the children with everyone having their eye on one prize or another in particular! This year the raffle raised £1966.50.
Other payments
During this financial period, we made a couple of direct donations. The first was withdrawn on 1[st] April and was for £135 which was spent on crackers for the school Christmas dinner (£110) and (£25) for flowers after the death of Sarah Lennon. We also donated £2260 to the school which was used to buy Ipads and chargers (£518), reading books (£1150), PE equipment (£492) and a retirement gift for Mrs Doyle (£100) . This was withdrawn on 11[th] April.
Fundraising efforts are vital to ensuring that staff and pupils of St. Joseph’s Primary School, Carnacville have the necessary tools to deliver and benefit from the most applicable and effective educational resources. Going forward, IT equipment remains a high priority. With Covid restrictions lifted and a renewed sense of purpose we will aim to increase the profile of the PSG within the school and throughout the local community over the summer and into the new academic year. We want to build and improve upon our present endeavours to ensure we fulfil our obligations and objectives with maximum effect.
Lynne Small
PSG Secretary.