ST ITA’S PARENT, TEACHER AND FRIEND ASSOCIATION (PTFA)
Trustees Report 2022_2023
Charity Registration Number: NIC102517
St Ita’s Parent, Teacher and Friend Association (PTFA)
c/o St Ita’s Primary School, 4 Alderwood Hill, Belfast BT8
Charity Number: NIC102517
Trustees Report for the period 1 September 2022 – 31 August 2023
Section 1: Organisation Overview and Purpose
St Ita’s PTFA is a charity registered with the Charities Commission in Northern Ireland. The PTFA adopted the PTA UK written constitution (approved by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland) and was formally registered on 20[th] March 2015.
In setting our objectives and planning our activity for the year the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity’s purposes and provide a benefit to our beneficiaries namely the children of St Ita’s Primary School and Nursery Unit.
1.1 St Ita’s PTFA Trustees
Trustees are appointed on an annual basis at the Annual General Meeting. The trustees were elected on 26[th] October 2023 and are as follows:
| Co-Chair | Mrs Helen Lunny |
|---|---|
| Co-Chair | Mrs Donna McSorley |
| Vice-Chair | Mrs Pamela McKeown |
| Treasurer | Mr NickyGoodall |
| Secretary | Mrs Jacinta Lyons |
| Vice- Secretary | Mrs Regina Gallen |
1.2 St Ita’s PTFA Purpose
The purpose of St Ita’s PTFA is to advance the education of pupils in the school through the development of effective relationships between the staff, parents and others associated with the school; Engagement in activities or providing facilities and/or equipment which support the school and advance the education of the pupils.
- Purpose 1: Improved relationships between home and school
The benefit which flows from this purpose includes funding for additional resources for the school and links built with the local community. This is demonstrated through having an active PTFA that works in partnership with the school and engages parental support. This purpose does not lead to harm. The benefit is for children at St Ita's Primary School. Charity trustees (PTFA committee members) are usually also parents at the school which their
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children attend and hence gain benefit in the same way as all other beneficiaries. This benefit is incidental and necessary to ensure the benefit is provided to all beneficiaries.
- Purpose 2: Advancing the education of pupils in the school
The benefit which flows from this purpose includes increased educational progress and attainment of pupils in the school and links built with the local community. This is demonstrated through pupils having access to resources, events, activities and links with the local community which are not available through direct school funding. This purpose does not lead to harm. The benefit is for children at St Ita's Primary School. Charity trustees (PTFA committee members) are usually also parents at the school which their children attend and hence gain benefit in the same way as all other beneficiaries. This benefit is incidental and necessary to ensure the benefit is provided to all beneficiaries.
Section 2: St Ita’s PTFA Activities
The PTFA meets on at least one occasion per academic term and the meetings take place in the School Staffroom and are attended by Trustees and members of the School Senior Management Team. An agenda is circulated at the beginning of each meeting and minutes are taken by the Secretary or Vice- Secretary. The PTFA organises a number of social (Nursery / P1 Welcome Morning) and fundraising activities throughout the school year and also provides support to the school in the roll out of various annual events.
All PTFA fundraising and social events are organised and run by a group of volunteers and the success of such events to date has been as a result of the generous support afforded by parents, staff and friends of the school and the local community.
In the year September 2022 – August 2023 the following fundraising activities were held:
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Halloween Disco
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Christmas Raffle
-
Magic Show
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Summer Disco
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Golf Day
Section 3: Review of Charity’s Financial Position
In the period 1 September 2022– 31 August 2023 St Ita’s PTFA continued to have limited opportunities to run fundraising events but income started to return to pre-pandemic levels.
The closing balance as at 31 August 2023 was £12,114.62. On an annual basis the PTFA holds cash balance sufficient for payments such as the annual Independent Examiner Report audit fee and the Parentkind (formerly PTAUK) membership fee which includes insurance cover.
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In consultation with the School Principal, Mrs Joanne Browne and other staff the PTFA agrees to fund a range of items and services that directly benefit the school and the children on an annual basis. The following was purchased in the year 2022-2023:
| Activity | Amount | Public Benefit/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| First Holy Communion Treat | £92.60 | The benefit is for children at St Ita's |
| Bags | PrimarySchool. | |
| P7 Leaver Hoodies (2023) | £1,888.50 | The benefit is for the children of St Ita’s |
| PrimarySchool | ||
| Basketball Nets | £279.98 | The benefit is for the children of St Ita’s |
| PrimarySchool | ||
| Funtastic Welcome Morning | £444.80 | The benefit is for the children of St Ita’s |
| PrimarySchool | ||
| Forest Walk Resources | £2493.56 | Grant secured from Live Here, Love |
| Here for Forest School resources |
The PTFA will continue to work in partnership with the school to identify and purchase other resources that will benefit the pupils in line with the purpose and aims of our constitution.
Up to date information on activities is included in a PTFA section on the school website, in the monthly school newsletter, on the PTFA Facebook Page and within the minutes of the PTFA meetings.
Name: Mrs Helen Lunny Name: Pamela McKeown Position: Co-Chair Position: Vice- Chair
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