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Miles Coverdale Primary School

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The PCA of Miles Coverdale Primary School

Introduction

Miles Coverdale Primary school has a parent’s group similar to the function of a PTA (Parents teachers association) called PCA, Parents Community Association. All parents, carers and guardians can become members. The PCA aims to encourage good relations between staff and parents, anyone associated with the school and engage with the community in successfully supporting the school. This support can be in the form of engaging in activities or providing facilities or equipment which can advance the education of the pupils.

The objectives of the PCA are simply to organise fund-raising activities, to involve as many people as possible and to make the activities fun!

The PCA isn’t just about raising money for the school, our role is wider than that, and has the education of our children at the heart of it. We are always looking for input and suggestions on what else we can do to support this outstanding school. If you have any comments or suggestions you can raise these at one of the regular PCA meetings. We look forward to hearing from you.

Mission Statement

Miles Coverdale Primary School PCA aim to:

Develop effective relationships between the staff, parents and others associated with the school.
Arrange events and activities that raise funds for equipment and projects in school to enhance the education of the pupils.
Organise social events for the enjoyment of the pupils, their families and the wider community.

Why do we have a PCA?

The PCA is an integral part of the school, the PCA aims to raise money, to be spent on improving equipment and resources to enhance our children’s education and the facilities in school in general.

However, it is more than just fundraising. The PCA exists to provide closer links between home and school, and it is an excellent way to bring staff, parents and friends together socially in support of the school working towards a common goal.

All parents and members of the local community can get involved if they want to, even if they only have a small amount of time available, and all parents are automatically members of the Association when they join our school. The PCA is extremely conscious of the ethos and morals of Miles Coverdale Primary school, and we try very hard when organising and planning events to respect this.
What are our local business links?

We will over time develop strong links with the local community and will hopefully always be well supported by both residents and businesses.
What is the role of the committee?
Our PCA Committee consists of four officers (Two Chairs, Treasurer and Secretary), we will also have a dedicated staff member as the school link. There are other members of the committee who are drop in members, who participate when they can – guests and new members are always welcome at the committee meetings. Smaller working groups meet as and when necessary to organise our big events.

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in December and this is an opportunity for all parents to come along and hear in more detail about events run and funds raised, and how the money has been spent. It is also the occasion when we elect our new Committee.
How do we raise money?
Throughout the academic year, the PCA will arrange a variety of events which raise money for school funds and just as importantly enable pupils, parents, and teachers to have some fun together. The activities that are held during the year include something for parents, as well as the children. They generally include a Christmas event, Summer Fair, Halloween Disco, Movie nights and International Feast Festival. All the events rely on the generous support of parents and everyone is most welcome to participate in whichever way they prefer.
How do we spend the money we raise?
Once money is raised from events the funds are banked straight away. It is at our PCA Committee Meetings, that the decisions on how to spend the money are taken. Usually, the school will have a ‘wish list’ of items that they would like to purchase.

Sometimes this will be as a result of the children asking for something; at other times it will be for resources to improve a particular area of the curriculum or school environment.

In the main the PCA funds are for the ‘extras’ not provided for by the school budget, that make our children’s learning experiences so much more fulfilling and exciting. The dedicated staff member who is the link with the school, will inform the PCA of any wish list items and the funding required for them. The head teacher will also be consulted with regards to the school’s priorities. The committee will then vote and approve funding.

We always endeavour to spend our funds in ways that will benefit all our children across all areas of the school and curriculum. The money we raise is usually spent fairly quickly. That way, you can be sure that in supporting our school that every child will feel the benefit. Of course, there are times when we have a big project underway that we need to save money for.
How do we get information to you?
We collaborate with the school to use the school newsletters sent home via ‘pupil post’ or email. The newsletters give forthcoming dates for events also updates and requests for help when we are planning large events. Following events, we always write to let you know how much was raised, and if we can, we tell you then what the money will be spent on. PCA newsletters will be posted on the school website which will have a webpage specifically for the PCA, with contact details for any queries.
How can you get involved?
There are lots of ways you can help and support your child through the PCA. Offering to help before events or at other times during the year is so valuable – it really is a case of ‘many hands make light work’. It doesn’t matter if you can’t help on a regular basis, or even if you can’t come into school. There are always little jobs that can be done from home if you have half an hour to spare e.g. wrapping gifts, preparing raffle tickets etc.

You can of course if you feel able, volunteer to be a Committee Member. You can attend the AGM and give us your ideas for fundraising events – this is also the time to ask questions or voice your opinion. You can help by letting us know if you have any contacts or skills we could use – anything is valuable to us, and finally, we are always extremely grateful to receive donations as mentioned before.

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