Trustee Report for Friends of Derrymore
This report relates to 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024
Friends of Derrymore is a charity that is run by a committee elected annually at an Annual General Meeting. The committee currently consists of a Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary. The three elected members are also Trustees of the charity. The other members help with the practical arrangements of the charity e.g volunteering at any events, creative activities, marketing & admin etc.
All trustees and volunteers give their time freely and no remuneration or other benefits are received. The committee works in very close connection with the Principal (also a Trustee) and staff.
Although we are a fundraising organisation, an important part of our role is strengthening and encouraging the home/school relationship, where teachers and parents work together to support and enhance the education of our children. Fostering community relations is also very important as the school has a rural location with no other amenities close by.
Summary of the charity’s main achievements
*Cash For Kids NI schools campaign
*Light Up Derrymore – Christmas Tree Switch On & Santa Visit
In Autumn 2023, the school took part in the Cash For Kids NI schools competition to fundraise for an upgrade of I.T equipment. Friends of Derrymore pooled their skills together to assist the school with marketing duties including designing graphics & posters, leaflet drops in the local area to raise awareness and a social media campaign. The PTA also contributed ideas for events and volunteered at them. These included a quiz night, Pumpkin Patch event and Halloween costume recycling event.
Due to the success of these events, we decided not to plan any further fundraising until the next academic school year
A free Christmas Light switch on event with a candle-lit procession and Santa visit was organised as a thank you to the community for their support in 2023.
Future Plans
During the academic year 2024-2025, we hope to liaise with the school staff to devise
plans to revamp the school’s outdoor space e.g creating a new outdoor play area for the
pupils with play equipment, picnic benches and a flower garden/greenhouse for the children to learn basic gardening skills.
Acknowledgment
The Committee would like to express its thanks to all members of the PTA group for volunteering their time and the school staff, parents and wider community who continue to support us. It is very much appreciated.
The trustees have had regard to the Commission’s Public benefit requirement statutory guidance.
Name of Charity : Friends of Derrymore
NIC : 107555
Address : 20a Derrymore Road Gawley’s Gate Craigavon BT670BW
Names of Trustees :
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Patricia McCullagh
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Gráinne Mulholland
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Avni McCarron
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Caitriona McAtarsney (Principal)
How the charity is constituted and its governing document
The charity was registered on 6/7/2020 and Its governing document is the Friends of Derrymore Constitution. It is revisited and adopted by the group each year at the AGM.
A summary description of the purposes of the charity
To advance the education of pupils in the school in particular by :
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Developing effective relationships between the staff, parents and others associated with the school.
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Engaging in activities or providing facilities or equipment which support the school and advance the education of pupils.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees' report above. Signed on behalf of the charity trustees:
Name: Gráinne Mulholland
Date 271112024