Friends of St Matthews Primary School
Charity No. NIC107597
- Annual Report & Accounts for year end 30th June 2023
This is our second Annual Trustee reporting period since we received charity status in July 2020.
Our fundraising aims were to raise much needed funds to improve outdoor play equipment and the teachers were hoping to improve the use of the dinner hall by adding blinds and a TV to use this space as an additional classroom for small group work.
Christmas Play
Our annual Christmas play has always been a huge success. We were delighted when the teachers decided that in December 2022 they would bring back the Chrisdtmas play after the break due to covid. The children were delighted to be back in action.
We are always thankful to Liatroim GAC for letting us use the hall for our Christmas play. We expected big crowds as everyone was delighted to have the children back performing. We had two performances, a morning show and a night show. We organised raffle prizes and a cake sale. We asked parents to make baked goods that could be sold after the performances. Lots of local businesses donated raffle prizes.
It was a very successful Christmas Play raising £3,032
After such a successful fundraising event we decided to hold off running another event in the spring term as parents had been so generous at the Christmas play. We had big plays to end this academic year with another big performance.
Sports Day snacks
We had our usual tuck shop and tea/coffee stand during sports day in May. Again another successful fundraising event raising £213.81
Summer Play
The teachers were so impressed with the children's acting skills at Christmas they decided to organise another stage performance at the end of the year. It was decided that the whole school would perform the Wizard of Oz in Liatroim GAC hall in June.
A lot of hard work went into this performance from the pupils and teachers and some fantastic parents within the PTA created magnificent crafts and backdrops to help transform the stage into the land of Oz.
We held this event to give back to the community. Our local community supports the school so much and everyone enjoys seeing the children perform. We didn't hold a raffle or cake sale, only charging an entrance fee to raise some money.
The performance was held in June on a very warm night and the hall was packed. The children were exceptional and the parents were amazed by the performance from the tiny P1s to the amazing P7s who were leaving the school. A total of £1,177.75 was raised on the night.
Expenditure
Funds were still available in the bank account from the end of June 2022. So in October these were distributed to the school as the whiteboards were upgraded and the new football jerseys had been ordered. £2,500 was needed for the whiteboards and £500 for the new set of football jerseys.
£465 was donated to the school to help pay towards buses for the school trip to the panto in the Lyric in December.
As a reward for fantastic performances during the Christmas play we provided a special Big Breakfast the morning after their performances as a thank you for all the hard work. £163.50 was spent on organising this for the children and staff.
The TV was purchased and installed in January in the dinner hall and the teachers and pupils were delighted to make use of the additional space for small group work. £650 completed this project.
A new salt machine and salt was purchased to help clear the grounds around the school to ensure the area was safe for pupils and staff to enter the school safely. Total cost £115.
To improve the outdoor play equipment bikes were purchased for the younger children costing £1,100.
During April and May the PTA put together rainy day boxes for each classroom consisting of board games and activities that would entertain the children during break time and lunchtime on rainy days when they couldn't get outside. Total cost £74.94
Parties were held after Confirmation and Holy Communion to celebrate the P7 and P4 children receiving their sacraments. £40 was spent on party bags and treats for the children.
During June blinds were purchased for the dinner hall costing £641.55. To end the year we had a few more celebrations. An ice cream van came to the school on a lovely sunny day and the children were delighted with the treat, Total cost £200.
Our P7 & P6 girls reached the football finals in June and to celebrate a Big Breakfast was organsied to recognise their achievement. Total spent £60.
The academic year 2022/23 was a very successful year for both the school and Friends of St Matthews. We had three successful fundraising events and were able to support the school in various ways to help the staff and pupils alike.
List of Trustees
Mrs Ciara Owens Mrs Jillian O’Hagan Mrs Martina Walsh
Summary
All activities organised throughout the year were decided upon ensuring we were adhering to the objectives set and the guidance on public benefit as detailed by the NI Charity Commission.
Our charitable purpose is to advance the education of all pupils in the school by developing effective relationships between staff, parents and others associated with the school. We aim to organise activities and provide facilities or equipment which supports the school and advances the education of the pupils within the school.