Friends of PJS (was PTA)
Contact Friends of PJS Committee
A big hello from Friends of PJS!
Even during these challenging times, we like to organise as many exciting events as we can, so there are many things for you to get involved in, whether you want to help out with organising events or attending them along with your children!
We welcome new members, or if you would like to help out with the planning of or helping at events – get in touch! We are a friendly bunch J
Who are we?
Chairman - Natasha Mackenzie - macvine@talk21.com
Treasurer - Katie Devo - katiedevo26@gmail.com
Secretary - no formal appointment
Committee Members:
Jo Walker (Headteacher) Katie Cason (Deputy Head) Tracy Beusmans Vicki Clark Becky Coombes
Harriet Dean Mark Errington Sally Forbes Sam Frampton Nicola Moorey Kelly Strange Neisha Wyatt
The AGM is held in September/October where committee members get elected. The more the merrier so do come along!
Want to get involved?
Do you adore shopping? Are you an organisation queen? Love a checklist and enjoy event planning? Do you enjoy pitching in and being involved in events? Well, we need you!! Friends of PJS needs lots of members with different skills/interests to make these events work. And we also need bodies on the day to man stalls/pour squash/put together hampers/count money…the list is endless!
Please email Natasha at macvine@talk21.com to find out how to get involved or talk to a committee member you know, or leave your details with the school office team.
So, what do we raise the money for?
All profit from all events goes directly to enhance the pupils’ learning experience, through subsidising school trips, buying books and other resources, or improving the school facilities.
Details of income for the last few years:
2020/21 - to be advised
2019/20 - income up until March 23 2020 of £9,400
2018/19 - income of £23,500
2017/18 - income of £24,900
2016/17 - income of £14,400
2015/16 - income of £14,900
Our current fundraising project
Creation of a Mindfulness Zone within the school playground (near the main entrance).
Mental health and wellbeing is a huge focus at PJS. This project is going to be delivered in Summer term 2021 and any local businesses, trades people or creative family members to sponsor the zone, supply materials or help construct planters, etc are very welcome!
On the Wish list….
Mrs Cason is always clamouring for books, books, books!
Also the outdoor pool area is in need of a new pool cover.
Previous fundraising projects include….
2019 - fund half of the cost of interactive whiteboards in all 12 classrooms for 3 years.
2018 - to regenerate the disused and overgrown pond within the grounds of Poulner Junior School has been funded by the funds raised over a few years and a generous grant of £3,000 from Hampshire County Councillor Michael Thierry.
2014 - the installation of ‘The Getaway Room’ which is a brilliant resource for small group work, music lessons, and the lunch club.
Other previous funds have purchased new curtains for the school hall as well as funding Science and English resources, the year 6 leavers' books, football goals for the playground, gardening equipment for the class gardening plots and all-important safety equipment to aid in the running of the swimming pool, some new equipment for the lunch time club and other bits and pieces from the teachers' wish-lists.
The fundraising and events calendar
Ringwood Carnival - 2nd Saturday in September. The bigger, the better, the louder is our motto!
2018 saw 'Poulner's Greatest Show' win the Jen & Den Youth Shield and 2nd Prize for the afternoon procession.
2019 we won 1st Prize in the afternoon procession with our Aladdin themed 'Poulner's Greatest Wish'.
Bags2School - one day each term – a great way to clear out unwanted clothes, shoes, handbags and some linen! Bring in a bin liner of items and bring to the wooden gazebo by 9am, and your child can wear their own clothes. Friends of PJS receive a cash payment dependent on the weight of donations.
Fireworks Extravaganza & Bonfire Night - each November. This is a fabulous event for the Ringwood community. Many volunteers are needed for this event - please contact Natasha Mackenzie or leave your name/details with the school office.
Movie Nights - one Friday each term - Drop off your children and they can enjoy a movie with their friends - £2 a PJS pupil. Don’t forget some extra change for the tuck shop!
Christmas Hamper Raffle in December – Children wear their own clothes and bring in a food or drink donation and we create around 15 fabulous hampers. Buy those raffle tickets for a chance to win!
Christmas & end of year Summer Discos – Years 3 & 4 - 6-7pm; Years 5 & 6 - 7.15-8.15pm £1 entry
Easter Egg Hunt - Flyers will be issued to allow children to sign up for this exciting event
Summer Sounds Music Festival - A fun-filled family event! Come and enjoy the amazing line up of bands – 2018's headlining act was Brass Monkeys. Enjoy the delicious Dad’s Club BBQ, licenced bar and Pimms tent, tuck shop, face painting, design a t-shirt and much more! Dad’s Club will be running some kids entertainment too!
Summer Fayre - Our after school Summer Fayre to include tombola, raffle, the popular year 6 stalls and much more!
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Secret Gift Factories – the children can choose and wrap a present and write a card for that special person in their life. Run at lunchtimes.
Quiz & Chips – a quiz has been run annually on a Friday Night but in 2019 chips were delivered by Poulner Fish & Chips!
How can I raise money for the school from home?
Easyfundraising.co.uk - You shop, and the retailer donates to Poulner Junior School…FOR FREE!
Whether you are buying a present on Amazon.co.uk, grabbing a bargain on ebay, ordering groceries on Sainsburys, home or car insurance, a new mobile phone package or even buying from Argos – the list of retailers is endless wanting to give away money to charities!
With over 3,100 shops and sites on board including Amazon, eBay, Tesco, John Lewis, Sainsbury’s, Virgin Trains and Aviva, you can get donations on everything from your weekly shop to your annual holiday and it doesn't cost a penny extra!
Plus, if you join and support Poulner Junior School PTA we’ll get an extra £2 when you raise your first donation.
There is 100% no cost to you – just register once and the rest is done for you…please sign up today!
STIKINS - Everyone needs these Name Labels!
We have teamed up with Label Planet to offer parents the opportunity to purchase quality labels for your children’s school uniform, whilst earning the school commission at the same time! This money can then be used to continue to help purchase some of the fantastic resources that benefit our children’s learning.
Lost property is a problem in all schools and we are all familiar with our child, at some point, coming home from school with a missing item. As parents, we are aware that time is precious, which is why we think these labels are such a great idea; they simply stick onto the clothing wash label.
They can even be used in shoes, on lunchboxes and water bottles!
Naming of clothing is a school requirement and we are hoping that with this opportunity we can start to eliminate some of parents’ frustrations that surround these issues.
How it works:
- order placed quoting the school reference number 16089 will provide the school with a 30% loyalty bonus as commission. You can use the link on our school website under Parents/PTA page or use this link https://www.stikins.co.uk/?NAME-LABELS=16089 to order. Make sure the order quotes our unique reference number 16089!
Dad's Club
There is a great Dad’s Club which has been running since September 2017. They run their own events aimed at families enjoying activities together, and also are fantastic at running the BBQ or entertaining children at our events! They also repaired and repaired two benches in the courtyard outside the school hall, and have plans to help weather-proof the PTA shed.
We always welcome new faces! Would you like to be involved with Dads Club and help us organise future events for your children, if so please email Stuart on Stuart@lightcason.co.uk or text him on 07811 747818.
Recent Dad’s Club events include….
Gaming & Karaoke Event
The Dads Club held its first event on Sunday 4th February - The Gaming Event - we set up around twenty games consoles and Karaoke in the school hall and the Library. The PTA supported us by setting up a Cafe for the children and adults to enjoy refreshments.
We were delighted by the turnout, we had around 90 children plus adults come along, and everyone had a great time. We received lots of comments from the parents, all very positive, and apparently the school was buzzing about how successful it was the following morning!
In total we raised just over £260 and we collected Lego for the school Lego club. The intention is to use the money raised to repair the lunchtime benches in the school courtyard, which are now in need of attention.
Orienteering at Avon Heath
A sunny Sunday lunchtime in May saw over 10 PJS families enjoy orienteering their way around Avon Heath, learning to read maps and use a device to register they had visited each point. Great fun was had by all!