Parents of Sacred Heart Primary School – Trustees Report 31[st ] August 2024
Parents of Sacred Heart (POSH) represents parents and friends of Sacred Heart Primary School, Dundrum. The Committee collaborates with the school to raise valuable funds to support our staff and pupils while organising events that help foster community around the school and wider village of Dundrum.
The purpose of this committee is to enhance the educational experience of pupils in the school, in particular by:
-
Developing effective relationships between the staff, parents and others associated within the schoo community.
-
Engaging in activities and providing facilities or equipment which support the school and enhance the holistic experience for pupils.
We, the trustees, are pleased to present this annual report together with our receipts and summary of accounts up until the year end 31st August 2024. As a result of the fundraising during the school year and the generosity of those who donate monthly by standing order as part of our Gift Aid scheme, we have been able to continue to support the school community generously.
The money raised has been used to purchase much needed play and ICT equipment as well as contribute to the payment of school trips and after-school sports activities. The money has been used to offset the cost of trips and school events to help keep the parent cost down to a minimum ensuring whole school pupil involvement.
Total Income
Total Income raised during 2023-24 including grants was £19,002.17
Fundraising: £11,424.17 Gift Aid Scheme: £2,664 Grants Awarded: £3000 Halifax £1914 Fibrus Community Grant
The school also received £1000 grant from The Wee Charity Shop in Newcastle and this money went directly to the school account and is not reflected in the POSH end of year accounts.
Total Expenditure
Total Spend during 2023-24 was £7,995.18
-
Donations to School £5,499.18
-
Christmas Raffle first Prize and Ross Cycles Donation for bike prize - £290
-
Purchase of 9 iPads and Covers from Halifax Grant - £3,067.56
-
P7 Leaver Jumpers - £556
-
Contribution towards School Trips and Supplies - £1,585.62
-
Expenses - £2,496 (S3 Solution service charge plus bank fees)
The cash reserve on 31[st ] August 2024 is now £16,694 which represents an excess of income over expenditure of £11,007. It is worth noting that this still includes grant money received during the year yet to be spent. The Fibrus Community Grant income will be used to purchase 6 iPads at a cost of £1,914 during the 2024/25 financial year.
Successful fundraising from previous years has continued yet again and the Committee is delighted to be able to provide funds that help improve our school community.
At the time of writing an additional rural micro grant has also been awarded from DAERA on 12[th ] September 2024 and this will help buy 5 more iPads. Purchase of equipment from grant money has proven difficult and the trustees have discussed the need for a business credit card. New guidelines and terms of use will be agreed by all trustees and this will undoubtedly improve purchasing of resources from the account. S3 Solutions are now in regular contact with the Committee and hope to secure further grants this school year. The rural micro grant from DAERA has to be spent by 23[rd ] October and they have advised that more grant opportunities should be available after this date.
The success of total money raised this year is as result of the generosity from family and friends of the school at all of the fundraisers. The Committee would like to thank all involved for their time and effort in the fundraising activities this year. It is fantastic to see the wider community continue to support their local school and it is always greatly appreciated.
- Fundraising Events 2023 24:
Christmas Raffle - £2,790.00
A special thanks to the POSH Committee for organising the draw and contributing to the generous drinks hamper as well as all the local businesses that donated generous prizes.
Tug Of War - £768.62
Due to bad weather this event had to be postponed twice and finally took place on Sports Day in June. A special thanks to Dundrum GAC for the use of the pitch and to all parents and family members who got involved in some competitive spirit.
Litter Pick - £763
This took place in April 2024 and was a well-attended event. Thanks to all who gave up their time to help keep our village litter-free and many thanks to Scoper’s for providing free refreshments to all involved.
Coffee Mornings - £474.99
Two coffee mornings were organised this year. Many thanks to the POSH Committee for donating buns, treats and giving up their time to help. Both events were held after the family mass and it was great to see the support for the school helping to make it an important social event in the school year. Many thanks to Canon Fleck for use of the Parish Centre after the first Coffee Morning.
50[th ] Anniversary Dinner - £6,017.56
It was fantastic to see the community get behind the 50[th ] Celebrations and many thanks to all who made the event so special. A special thanks to Lisa Smith for all her organisation with the Burrendale Hotel and to all the businesses that donated prizes for the raffle and to family and friends who attended on the night and donated
so generously to school contributions.
Colour Run - £610
This event in May was hugely popular and all children had a great time. Many thanks again to Dundrum GAC for use of the pitch and to the POSH Committee members helping staff with the activity on the day.
These events continue to help bring the wider school community together and it is hoped that new school fundraising events can continue to do that in this new school year. The Committee look forward to new fundraising ideas that could help bring more people together and help continue to support our school. It was mentioned last year to change some events for the next year and perhaps even link in with other charities to help take pressure off parents at particular times of year.
POSH would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for coming to the AGM tonight to sign off on another successful year and look forward to the beginning of a new year of fundraising. Sacred Heart Primary School has had to rely even more on fundraising efforts to help buy needed equipment and facilitate educational experiences for our pupils. The Committee are as ever looking forward to raising more money for the school community but realise this would not be possible without the continuous generosity from our wider community and would like to thank all parents, grandparents, carers, friends, and the wider Dundrum community for their generosity and continued support for our school.
Susan Byrne
Chairperson
Signed
Date 26[th] September 2024