25 February 2025 Bi-Termly Meeting

People

Present: In Person: Chair ED, Headmaster Simon Pickett, PTFA members SG, PB, MT, VS, NMS, DW, SY, SMM, AF, ECR AND KB.

Teams: BP

Apologies from: JC, SM, SR, SN, AM, BS, DW, SH, LE and TE

Discussion Points

Treasurers Info

• Confirmation of £7,526.69 in the bank account. (Treasure’s account £2442.13 plus Instant Account £5,084.56. 
• Charity Commission: Should this be the responsibility of either the secretary or the treasurer? It is agreed that the Treasurer should agree to the accounts, and then the Chair should sign them off. 
• Confirmation that the 2 Sum-up machines are now connected to the school's wi-fi. 
• Confirmation that there are no plans at present to purchase any more. 

School Funding Requests

Funding Requests. The Warhammer club requested £150 to cover paints/brushes and codex books. The request was unanimously approved.

Action(s):

A carry-over request for another x30 French dictionaries. Left on the minutes as to be reviewed again in late 2025/2026.

Gold Club Card Report

VS confirmed the following:

We have received 239 payments this year. The latest balance is £5,490.

We are still under the 400-people threshold; therefore, the prizes remain the same at £60 per month and £400 bi-annually.

Action(s):

VS will liaise with BP to transfer £3k into the Treasures account.

The last draw was in September, so draws are needed for Oct/Nov/Dec/Jan.. 

The member's list needs editing as many still included have stopped their payments.

Second Hand Uniform Report

TE reported that uniform sales are all okay, but we need to focus on a couple of physical sales.

SP confirmed that the Y9 parents’ and Y6 open evenings are good options. A sports day pop-up was also discussed as c100 parents attended (although practically, this could prove to be difficult). The new uniform supplier, who also re-cycles/sells old kit, was also discussed (more info on this in the future).

Easter Choc Fest (3rd April 2025)

Volunteers needed, please, at least 6 people, but ideally more.  

Raffle tickets need purchasing (4 books of 4 different coloured raffle tickets going up to 1000 or 6 books of 6 different raffle tickets going up to 500 (not cheap books as perforations are poor))

Coloured paper to match raffle tickets to label tables (will need to let the Head’s PA know the colours in advance if the school to provide) – LB to sort this once she knows the raffle ticket colours.

Action(s):

KB to share the list of volunteers with LB (including those who have a DBS and who has previous Choc Fest experience)

JC to bring plastic tubs. JC to organise a £140 float. JC will share the final amount raised on the day with LB, who can then promote it within the school.

Future Fundraising Events

Winter Ball 2025 has been confirmed for 11 October 2025. NMS will investigate alternative venues. DW will share the Masonic Hall's new contact details with ED. ED will then contact the Masonic Hall to see if the date is available. All agreed to keep the cost at £40pp. 

Many other events were discussed: cheese and wine and the summer cricket match. DW suggested a business enterprise day when the boys could sell/share what they have made. 

Future Milestone Events

SP confirmed a few major school events are coming over the next few years, which the PTFA could support.

2026: A 125-year anniversary of when the alumni were established. Suggested the PTFA could attend and provide refreshments / or a cricket tea.

2027: 300 years since Issac Newton’s death.

2028: 500 years since school re-endowment.

Any Other Business

We discussed making better use of publicity on social media: Instagram/ LinkedIn and so on.

Action(s):

PTFA volunteer(s) needed who have marketing / social media experience who would like to support here. 

Diary Dates:

This School Year PTFA meetings:

All meetings are held at 6.30 pm in the library.

PTFA 6 Thursday 24th April 2025

PTFA 7 Tuesday 3rd June 2025 (to be held in The Garden Yard)