William Gilbert Endowed School PTA

 

www.williamgilbertpta.org.uk

 

Minutes of the meeting held on 10th November 2004

 

1. Opening Welcome by Chairman.

Julie Hayes welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2. Present

Julie Hayes (Chair), Margaret Groom, Samantha Wright, Caroline Young, Jacqui Lythgoe, Suzanne Leeder, Judy Hooker, Karen Lawley, Judith Caroll, Jayne Stevenson, Mary Johnson-Evans, Sue Robey, Debbie Cooke, Helen Barr, Paul McCracken, Bridget Charlton, Annette Cooke (+Arabella).

 Apologies

Joanne Hare, Janet and Simon Brambilla, Sue Whyld, Angela Gitto, Barbara Bown.

 

3. Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising

The Minutes of the last meeting were accepted as a true record of the proceedings.

Proposed: Jacqui Lythgoe

Seconded: Mary Johnson-Evans

 

4. President’s report

Sue Whyld was unable to attend the meeting and Jayne Stevenson presented the President’s report on her behalf.

The recent school disco organised by the PTA had resulted in some damage being caused to displays in the hall and as a consequence the school council had been asked to come up with a code of conduct before any more discos could be held.

Concern was expressed that at the recent parent’s evening no Y5 parents had signed up to help with refreshments at the Y6 concert. It was agreed by the meeting, however, that Y5 parents were usually asked to help at the Leaver’s concert in the summer rather than the Christmas concert.

Thanks were expressed for the TV/video and cupboard which have been paid for by the PTA.

The estimate for the sound system has been reviewed in detail by Sandie Owen’s husband and the cost of a good quality system that will meet the school’s needs for years to come will be ~£2000 rather than £1000-£1500 as previously minuted. In addition to this an extra £900 would be required to cover a storage system that would ensure that the equipment would last for many years.

£250 had been requested to cover the cost of drapes, costumes etc for the concert. Caroline pointed out that we had bought some drapes last year and she thought these were in the cupboard.

 

5. Chairman’s report

Julie confirmed that the Party in the Park 3 would take place on 26th February and that a flyer had been produced for distribution via the children. Also Paul had produced a note to publicise the ‘Dad’s Night Out’ on 12th November. A list of dates for the diary has also been compiled by the social committee.

 

6. Treasurer’s report

The disco raised £277 and the pumpkin competition £52. Current assets stand at £15,747.12.There is an expected expenditure of ~£13,000, including the money pledged to the Garden Project and the ICT equipment.

Caroline proposed that we should join NCPTA which, for an annual cost of £75 would give us insurance cover plus a source of fundraising ideas and other information from other PTAs. This was agreed.

Mary needs to sign the bank mandate and the Chair and Secretary need to sign to authenticate the signatures.

Caroline reminded everyone that receipts would be needed to claim money back from the PTA.

 

7. Proposed items of expenditure

Additional money required for the sound system (an extra £500 plus £900 to include the storage system)

The meeting agreed that this would be acceptable if we could be assured that the system was portable and could at least be used for outdoor events such as the May Fayre. Mrs Stevenson rang Mrs Owen’s husband to clarify this as the go-ahead is required immediately if the system is to be available for the Christmas productions. It was confirmed that if the transportation system was purchased the equipment could easily be transported in a car and set up elsewhere. It would however require some speakers. The meeting felt that it should be possible to adapt the existing speakers that are in the hall or buy some inexpensive ones. The additional money was, therefore, agreed unanimously.

 

£250 to cover items for the Christmas concerts – This was agreed unanimously.

 

8. Appointment of new Class Reps

It was agreed to postpone this item until the next meeting.


 

 

9. Forthcoming Events

Jo Kennedy will be organising the bauble decorating competition again this year.

 

Christmas Fayre

This will take place on Friday 26th November.

Caroline, assisted by Bridget, will organise the money, floats etc.

Santa’s Grotto – a system of timed tickets was suggested to reduce queuing time. It was felt that it would be better for the queue to be formed in the Y6 classroom, (possibly with games to amuse the queuers) rather than in the Nursery, which had become very congested last year. Mrs Rose will be asked if she will be responsible for the overall organisation of the Grotto and Mrs Taylor and Miss Stevenson will be asked to do the decoration.

Phillipa will buy any additional presents required for Santa and the Mums and Dads.

Booze Tombola – Mrs Bexon and Mrs Shackleton?

Craft stalls will be in the hall

There will be hot turkey cobs

Refreshments, tea, coffee, cake, soft drinks – Bridget will ask Mrs Peake if she would do the tea and coffee. And if we could use the hot plates

Beer & wine – Derek Cooke will co-ordinate

Judith Caroll will ask Mick Cox to get a barrel of beer

Jo Rayner will be asked to get wine for the Concerts, Ladies Night, Quiz Night and the Christmas Fayre

Mary will try to get a punch recipe for m the Lathams via Adele.

Some disposable glasses will be required

Cookies – Margaret

Guess the Weight of the Cake – Samantha

Hamper

Mr Pick-a-Pocket

Magic Reindeer food (porridge oats with glitter)

Publicity – Bridget

Kids Cocktails – Kate Naylor

Setting up and clearing away – Jacqui will organise the afternoon session.

Hunt the Chicken

Face Painting?

Games for the Grotto queue.

 

Ladies Shopping Night

Mary has organised a pre-Christmas Fayre shopping night on Tuesday 23rd November, starting at 8pm. She would like to extend an invitation to the ladies of St. Alkmunds Close, but we must ensure that there is adequate external lighting and that they can be escorted home if necessary.

 

10. AOB

MIDAS Community Group

This is part of The Ecclesbourne Foundation, which is raising money to improve the performing arts facilities at Ecclesbourne School. The project includes providing changing rooms and covering the swimming pool and building a sports hall. All this would be for school and community use and would free up space within the school for music and drama facilities to be improved. The MIDAS Community Group is a group of parents of primary school children who are organising small-scale events to raise money for this project, as it is more likely to benefit our younger children than those already at Ecclesbourne School. The Community Group currently consists mainly of Meadows School parents but they would like Willy Gilly to become involved. It had been suggested that we could publicise the project and their events via the PTA website. Paul agreed to put in a link to the Ecclesbourne School website and the Ecclesbourne Foundation page. The Community Group organised the ‘All Day Diner’ last week and plan a ‘Recipe Evening’ and a ‘Mince Pies and Mulled Wine’ afternoon before Christmas

 

 Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 12th January 2005 at 7.30pm in Y5 classroom.

The AGM will be held on Wednesday 9th March.