Present: Maria Skoyles (Chair), Mandy Roberts (Secretary), Alison Barnett (Treasurer), Harriet Rutter, Pippa Browning, Clare Megarity, Gail, Nicky P, Jo, Cath D, Sarah Brown, Sally Wheatley (for first 15 mins).
Apologies: Emma Jeavons, Lizzie Griffiths
The minutes from the last meeting were agreed as a true record and were signed by Maria.
Raising Money for the outdoor classroom (need to raise £7k)
• Decorated/personalised hanging momentos: keyrings with a decorated card inserted into them. Inserts designed by the children at school. These can then be hung from the ceiling of the outdoor classroom as momentos. This was voted as a good idea.
• Pyrograph/paint benches. Sponsors pay to burn/paint a design on the bench and sign their artwork. This was voted as a good idea.
Useful purchases
• New Freezer. Sally said that the school has no room for a new freezer. With notice we can use the freezer in the kitchen.
• Sandwich style outdoor board. Sally said that we could use the easels that are around the school. These can be put out a few days before an event, so that parents are reminded of an upcoming event. Maria also suggested we buy black board sandwich boards that can also be used in the foundation class. These cost £50. It was voted that we should buy one and give it a go.
• A blackboard
Pageant
Sally explained that 50 VIPs have been invited to the pageant and these people have a free pass. However they will be given the opportunity to donate when they are there. She also explained that the 150th Committee agreed a price of £3.50 per adult and children under 16 go free. The 150th Committee felt this was a reasonable price for a one off event.
It was agreed that the HSA should serve drinks before the event, commencing at 6pm. Wine was put forward as an addition to tea and coffee. We could get this from Bookers on a sale or return policy. Drinks will be paid for by voluntary contribution.
Barndance
This is an end of term relaxed, family friendly event with a pig roast. We discussed various ways the HSA could be involved in this event. Suggestions included: H.S.A. providing drinks; the Fishes to come in and serve drinks then give the HSA a cut of the profits (say 10%). The H.S.A. was given the impression that there was an ‘organiser’ for this event. The H.S.A. struggled to identify an appropriate role they could play without encroaching on 150th Committee decisions. It was voted that H.S.A. involvement might be too complex. Mandy was asked to put to the 150th committee that people bring their own drinks (as they would do to the picnic). Members of the H.S.A are likely to be willing to help, but as ‘parents’ rather than H.S.A.
Uniforms
Maria had researched the cost price of the school sweatshirt.
24”-28” cost £7.65 (current price £9), 30”-32” cost £8.05 (current price £9/£10), 34” cost £8.85 (current price £10). In order to help clear the bag log of uniform in the back of the year one classroom it was voted to reduce the price of “unnecessary” items eg. Jackets, etc. On Tuesday 25th March, beside year 2 cook for books, we will have a stall with “offers” for these items and see what parents want to pay for them. We will also reduce the price of the sweatshirts for the summer term, stating it is this only while stocks last. Prices would be £24”-28” sell at £8, 30”-32” sell at £8.50, 34” sell at £9
Sports Day - actual date to be confirmed
This will run from 3.30 to 6pm, following sports day.
• It was voted that we could sell badges that say “Ive taken part in Sports Day 2008”. Cost 50p to make and sell them for £1. Quick and easy to make up as needed, just putting inserts into badges.
• Enamelled badges : It was voted that we could sell new enamelled school crest badges, 3 background colours to correspond with house teams. It was felt that £2.50 was a fair price for these. Maria to research and see if it’s possible to do it for this price.
We also voted to have:
A lolly stand (pick out a lolly, depending on colour of lolly stick, depends what you win). Face painting. Paint a mug; the mugs can be bought from IKEA and the children decorate them using special pens. £2 was seen as reasonable to charge for this. It was suggested that we fill the cups with sweets, put a cellophane wrapper round it and sell them. Chuck the chicken. Propel the rubber chicken into the paddling pool and win prizes. This will cost nothing. Mandy will check its available when the date for sports day is confirmed. Hit the hammer and make bell ring for prizes. Once again Mandy will check its available when the date for sports day is confirmed. Once again we have no outlay. Netball or penalty shoot out, ask Emma Jeavons if she can get some volunteers together to do this. A wine lotto is usually popular. BBQ (manned by the Governors ?), picnics, ice creams, hot and cold refreshments. A Pimms tent was also suggested and voted in as a must! Use of the timber trail and pre-school sandpit with clear signage that children must be supervised and it is used at your own risk. Sunshades. There are gazebos in the shed. Are they complete ? Ask Steve if we can borrow some. Bouncy castle. Photos of sports day. Richard Skoyles has offered to take photos and put together a slide show . Each photo has a number and parents can watch the slide show and make their orders. These are then emailed to the parents. Pony rides: Cath Davis has a contact for this. Hellium balloons and candyfloss were also felt to be a good idea.
Plant Sale
Through Sutton Seeds. Maria has received a couple of orders from the catalogues.
AOB
Jewellery recycling
Maria had found out about jewellery recycling. It was agreed that envelopes could go out in book bags. These envelopes are then filled with broken jewellery/watches. They are collected from school and valued. We then receive what they are worth.
Buy for school. Cath Davis suggested this. Like giving to charities in bags, it costs £1 per bag.
HSA Constitution
A copy of this was handed out. Everyone was asked to read it and provide feedback. It has not been looked at since 1993. For example it says that we need 6 people to make decisions. It also says that there must be 12 members of the HSA, not including the Chair, Treasurer and Secretary.
Questionnaire responses
Maria said we had 32 returned. One was very negative. One made a comment about gift aid. We also received another slightly negative one. Apart from these, the response was encouraging. A feedback sheet was distributed.
Keeping in touch
Maria handed round a sheet that everyone signed to say that they are happy to be emailed about anything that requires a committee decision. The recipients have a week to respond and the majority verdict once the week is up, is taken as the decision made.
She also suggested emailing interested parties with the questionnaire and asking them to complete it and send it back. This enables all members to be involved, if they wish to be.