Academy Primary School PTA – Annual Review 2021-2022
The 2021/22 year began with Luisa Givan as Chairperson, Louise Dainty as Treasurer and Victoria Kelly as Secretary.
In September 2022, the PTA presented the school with a cheque for £12,000. We will formally present this to Mr Fegan, on behalf of the school at our Beetle Drive later this month.
In September 2021, we were once again unable to hold our Beetle Drive due to ongoing COVID 19 restrictions. We did, however start the year with what has become an Annual Smarties challenge with the Smarties very kindly donated by the Vivo in Saintfield. The children were each given a tube of Smarties and asked to bring the tube back into school filled with 20p’s. This was really well supported by parents.
The annual Halloween Disco was unable to take place once again. Instead, each class had its own Autumn party where they wore fancy dress, ate sweets and crisps and even had time for a dance in the hall within their class bubbles.
It wasn’t long before Christmas time was upon us which meant the children were able to design their own Christmas cards. The usual fair was unable to take place but we had a fantastic raffle and we really appreciate how well this was supported by both families and local businesses. We had top prizes of a Laptop, Show tickets and Vouchers.
Into the New Year, we held a successful Movie Day in school where the children had cookies and juice and were able to wear their PJ’s to school for the day! In February, we held a Red Disco during school where the children were able to enjoy a disco in the hall in their class bubbles.
Just before Mid-term, we held an Easter Egg hunt and raffle for the entire school which the children enjoyed.
As we approached May we had a tremendous response to our first ever Pizza Party which saw the children purchase Pizza kits to bring home.
Throughout the year we continued to see a fantastic response from the entire community for ‘Cash for Clobber’ based on the contents from the Clothing container outside the school gates.
The past couple of years have been difficult for us all and we are very grateful and appreciative to all parents, staff and local businesses for their continued support during these times. We also really appreciate the help and invaluable support of Mr McAuley and Mr Stitt who are regularly called on for assistance. Without this continued support from everyone events would not be possible.
At the start of this year our Chairperson Luisa made the decision to step down from the PTA and I was elected to the post of Chairperson. On behalf of the PTA, I would like to thank Luisa for all of her hard work and dedication to the successful running of the PTA over a number of years; particularly keeping the momentum during COVID 19.
This coming year looks very exciting, and we have already held our first meeting at the start of September. We are looking forward to some normality with many enjoyable events on the horizon for all the family!
Emma Maguire (Chairperson)
September 2022