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Most schools have a Parent Teacher Association (PTA), which is an organisation of parents and staff. Its role is to encourage closer links between home and school. PTAs are best known for their fundraising work, but they have a beneficial social function too. Fundraising events provide an opportunity for parents, staff and pupils to get together. The main role of the PTA is to build strong working relationships among parents, teachers and schools, in support of students. At most schools all parents/carers and teachers are automatically members of the PTA.
Most PTAs hold their annual general meeting in September, at the start of the school year. At this meeting a committee is elected to run the PTA – usually consisting of a chair, a vice-chair, a treasurer, a secretary and ordinary committee members. PTA committees usually meet once a month and set up smaller working groups to organise individual events.
Most PTAs raise money through events. They often hold one main event each month of the academic year. They’re always looking for new fundraising ideas. Funds raised by the PTA are intended to provide ‘extras’ not already provided by the school's main income – often 'fun things' that make learning more interesting and exciting. The PTA committee and the principal decide how to spend PTA funds.
The school community of St Mary's Primary School, is so proud of its very active and vibrant PTA. In the past 18 months the pupils of our school have benefited from £22,000. This is a substantial amount of money, and given tough budget restrictions facing all schools, we are extremely grateful for this financial support. All of this funding was amassed through the generosity of our parents. We thank you the PTA and the parents of our children for making such a difference to the teaching and learning in our classrooms.
There are many different ways you can help with the PTA, whether you have lots of time to offer or not. Some of the roles are time-consuming, although also rewarding. If you can’t commit to a big job, look out for things you can do less frequently (perhaps, running a stall at the Fun Day or baking for a cake sale). And you can always support PTA events by simply turning up. Regardless of what your exact interests are, you can be certain that your participation will be welcomed in our school’s parent-teacher organisation. Remember... PTAs are not just for mums! Many dads play an active role as volunteers and take on leadership roles in the organization.
Pictured in this photo is Mr John Eakins, PTA Chairperson, Mr Michael McCorry, Vice Chairperson and Mrs Denise Quigley, teacher representative on this year's PTA; a cheque for £6,000 is the recent gift to our children; each class teacher has £300 to spend on consumable products, glue, paint, art and craft materials etc, to enhance the availability of existing resources.
Thank you to the PTA... Teamwork....Together Everyone Achieves More!!!
