Friends of St Matthews Primary School Charity No. NIC107597
Annual report & accounts 2024-25
Our annual trustee report provides details on what fundraising activities we completed during the term from September 2024 to June 2025 and how funds were spent.
September 2024
We had our AGM 24/9/24. Our fundraising aims were to provide the school with additional chromebooks to help the school improve its digital learning.
Any remaining money would be used to fund early year’s provision.
We registered with ASDA to raise money via the Cashpot for schools reward for shopping.
PTA member Colm Quinn and Rita Brown painted the school entrance hall/foyer.
October/November 2024
We organised our “Ditch The Darkness” sponsored walk at Liatroim GAC for 20/10/24 which had to be rescheduled for 3/11/24 due to bad weather conditions.
December 2024
Annual Christmas Play
Our annual Christmas play has always been a huge success. It took place on 12th December, we are always thankful to Liatroim GAC for letting us use the hall for our Christmas play. We had two performances, a morning show and a night show. We organised a raffle with lots of prizes donated by local businesses.
We asked parents to make homemade cakes & buns to sell after the performances for our cake sale.
Santa arrived to the school on 18/12/24 on a tractor and trailer and Santa brought a present for every child in the school.
February 2025
PTA members Ciara, Rita and Theresa met with the school council to arrange fundraising ideas over the following few months with the aim of getting the school children involved in the planning and implementation of such events.
Money raised at Christmas was used to purchase basketball nets.
March 2025
The school children, their parents and PTA members held a car wash with tuck shop and Easter Hamper raffle at Liatroim GAC on 23/3/25.
PTA funds were used to purchase the P7 leavers’ hoodies and P1 book bags.
May 2025
The PTA hosted the P4 children who were making their First Holy Communion and their families in Liatroim GAC after the service. Sandwiches, party bags, tray bakes, tea/coffee and decorations were provided along with a PowerPoint slideshow of the P4 children on their special day.
The PTA arranged party bags for the P7 children’s Confirmation on 19/5/25 which was held in Finnis this year.
June 2025
Sports Day was on 13/6/25.
We had our usual tea/coffee and treats stand during sports day.
The Fresh Food Centre, Castlewellan kindly donated a drink, packet of crisps and a packet of Haribo for each child.
The academic year 2024/25 was a very successful year for both the school and Friends of St Matthews. We were able to support the school in various ways to help the staff and pupils alike.
List of Trustees Mrs Ciara Owens Mrs Rita Brown Mrs Ruth O’Duinnin
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.
Friends of St Matthew’s Primary School