Present: Katherine, Emma, Karol, Debbie Harmes, Els, Andrew Hargreaves & Linda Golightly

Welcome, Apologies and Thanks

General Comment    Karol Pawsey, welcomed, gave apologies and thanks

Very disappointing turn out – had hoped to have a meaningful meeting with Mrs Cremin ( apologies received) so that we have the school’s feedback and commitment.  PTFA feeling lack of support from the school generally.    
Approval of Minutes from last PTFA meeting

Treasurer’s Report

Previous AGM and PTFA meeting minutes were approved.
Emma Barrett gave general and Christmas fair report.  Total profit made at Fair was £905 Total funds at present £4,950
The projected income for the year covers the expenditure (uniform, water, leavers, tennis etc)

Matters Arising

1. Russell not able to attend but has provided info on sign up

Only about 30 at present. It was agreed that class reps should be signed up for each class ( Katherine and Karol to enlist those vacant) and asked to work their way around parents in each class on a one to one basis asking them to sign up or fill in a slip for us to do for them! See AGM minutes for list of class reps

2.    Christmas Fair

General discussion of financial results and which stalls were successful or not.  When planning next year need to trouble shoot the following:

• Rolla coin – loses money!
• Santa’s gifts – Debbie commented that her child’s gift was not age appropriate – generally agreed that this would be looked at more carefully when ordering next year
• Reindeer food – Katherine suggests santa gives this out
• Hookabox – only had about 80 boxes, did well but ran out – try to get more made up in advance next year
• Cakes & Sweets – cakes were sold too cheaply and sweets too! Need to ensure that where prices are indicated these are kept to (parent who provided liquer chocolates disappointed to see that they were split into mixed bag and sold off cheaply) will tag it for 2010 fair planning meetings.
• Lollies – too many stalls relying on lollies!

3.    Social & Fundraising events and ideas:

• Andrew Hargreaves’ offer of a ‘chefs cook in’ evening he has arranged to use Walmer Science College’s food tech facilities which offer more space.  He will suggest a date for an adult evening when he will do a cooking demo based on using cheaper ingredients for approx 25 people on a ticket basis – idea would be to charge approx £5 for evening inc glass of wine and the dinner he has cooked! All tbc but great idea with lots of support.  Also discussion about doing a family oriented version, ie biscuits or cakes so kids can join in.
• Will ask Russell if he has had any further ideas re family social evening/event?
• Film Club – need to progress this idea Els said she will speak to people who run film club at Hornbeam she knows and we need to speak to reception parent Marie re Whitfields model – would like to progress this idea now.  Hot dogs/popcorn & performing licence?
• Els would like to inquire with the parent community about existing needs re clubs, activities, workshops or courses either in a family learning set up or ‘for adults only’. She will put together a short questionnaire containing both suggestions and space for ‘any other ideas’, which will be put onto the PTFA website.
• Els mentioned that if the PTFA can find fund raising activities that are ‘extended services’- related, for example, a family learning workshop, then she could possibly find funding for the organisational/ logistic/ material side of it so that any revenue coming in would be entirely go to the PTFA fund (as costs have been covered). The only condition would be though that the revenue would have to be ‘ear marked’ as ‘extended services’ revenue and would have to be invested back into that area. For instance to pay for instruments or ‘extended services’ activity fees, for parents who can’t afford their child(ren) to join these activities.
• Karol mentioned the much loved sweet stall and asked for any healthy ideas? Emma mentioned collectibles again but Karol concerned at high unit cost. Solleys ice cream stall?
• Mrs Cremin’s contact re fundraising school art exhibition – unable to discuss as Mrs Cremin was not able to attend.
• Kp to set next Baby Thru Y6 Sale around mid March – and may reformulate signing up process in case of oversubscription. Also, Katherine to speak to Jon re getting advertising banner made up for approx £50
• Easter Egg Hunt was mentioned – last year ptfa provided eggs for every child at cost of £90 approx total – but school did not properly organise event.  Will ask Mrs Cremin if she wants to do one this year, it needs to be done properly or not at all.
• Katherine suggested ‘wine and wisdom’ quiz nite which was popular idea – need someone to set date and go ahead.

4.    Requests for PTFA Support:

• Karol put forward Joy Spencer’s request for music recording equipment approx £500 which was unanimously approved.  Russell’s services to be offered in terms of advice on spec, price and pa.
• Karol to put forward proposal from Nick Harrington for electronic drum equipment for lessons £225 which was also agreed.  Karol felt these 2 gifts were important in acknowledging the great work of the music dept and also are 2 clearly visible pieces of extra, valuable equipment we can show we have provided
• Water –General discussion was that ptfa should no longer fund children’s hydration, and that this is a matter for the school .  Karol will let Mrs Cremin know that our funding will be phased out by the end of this year and try hard to encourage the school to continue providing water cooler/s. In meantime, emma to switch to plumbed in water cooler company as considerably cheaper than bottled supplier.
• Katherine had a sample of inexpensive clear water drinking bottles that can be printed with the school logo and sold thru the uniform shop. Katherine to get quote for bulk order and identify unit cost as they could be added to the shop range. Suggestion that ptfa buy every child in the school a bottle to be carried forward to future meeting.
• Mrs cremin to supply a wish list from the school – has mentioned flag but priority is for things that directly benefit or compliment the children and their learning experiences.  The ptfa would like her to approach the school council for their suggestions.

Any Other Business

• School ‘Be A Friend CD’ any thing we can help to do to sell the remainder?
• School uniform – it has been agreed that fleece jackets are added to range, Sarah obtained a quote of £11 – school has approved.  Sarah to go ahead and make first small order across the sizes. What about shorts?

Next PTFA meeting Date

TBC