friends of ravenstone (PTA)
The kindness of our whole school community shines through our parent-teacher association: the ‘Friends of Ravenstone’ (FoR), a registered charity and the fundraising arm of Ravenstone Primary School. The principal aim of the FoR is to raise funds for the school for expenses not covered by the school budget. The money raised is used to enrich our children's experiences, both in learning and play, from subsidising renovations and technology upgrades, to Easter Egg hunts and Christmas gifts.
The Friends of Ravenstone runs a number of events each year - some to raise funds (including the principal fundraising events RavenSTOCK and RavenSNOW - the summer and Christmas fairs) and others simply for fun (International Afternoon and Rave’n’Bop - the school disco). While most events are for the entire family, there are adult only events such as the popular quiz night. The events are a great way to meet and socialise with other parents. We all want the best for our children, and this is a way to help achieve it whilst having some fun!
Once you join Ravenstone, you automatically become a ‘Friend of Ravenstone’ and will always be welcomed into the school as part of our community. This involves as much participation as you wish - you can organise events, you can come to events, you can do nothing at all, it's totally up to you! If you want to make a real difference to your child's school and become part of the community there is no better way.
FUNDRAISING
We are happy to support anyone who wishes to arrange a specific event or has a great fundraising idea, from set up costs, volunteer support or school facilities. If you want to make a real difference to your child's school and become part of the community there is no better way than to become involved in the FoR.
Here’s a list of some of the ways the money is used!
- A big investment has been allocated to upgrading the playground
- Technical lego kits
- Interactive Whiteboards for classrooms
- Table tennis tables
- Projector for lower hall
- Library funding
- Year 6 leavers' party
- Christmas show (props and costumes)
- Fruit and refreshments on sports day
- Supporting school trips
- Easter eggs for all children
- A Christmas gift for all children
Some ways you can help:
Below are just some of the ways you can help the FoR raise funds.
Give as you live: This brilliant scheme allows you to raise funds for the school with no extra cost to yourself whilst simply shopping! A huge range of stores, from Amazon which will donate 0.5% of what you spend, to Groupon which will donate up to 7%! You simply sign up online, you can set the link in your tool bar or download the App, they also have many fantastic flash offers and discounts
To sign up please click on this link: www.giveasyoulive.com/join/friends-of-ravenstone
Micro Scooters: When quoting the code URN:101017 a commision will be paid, we have so far raised a brilliant £237 using this scheme.
Pennies for the Playground: A jar kept in a handy place for pennies and loose change soon adds up! These jars are then collected at school near the end of term, the pennies banked and the jars re-used in the sweet tombola, at the summer fair!
Estate agent boards: By agreeing to host an estate agent board outside your home, We are sponsored by local estate agents who pay for the temporary board advertising our events (it’s only up for a couple of days) this has the potential to earn the school up to £2000 per event!
Travel Designers: Book a fantastic holiday with Travel Designers and not only receive a 5% discount but also £10 will be donated to school!
Advertising on our school newsletter: Advertising your business on our weekly school newsletter which is circulated to all our families costs £5 per week, and a great way to reach new customers and clients!
Corporate donations/fund matching: Lots of companies have great fund matching programs for their members of staff who give up their spare time a help with charity events, they then match the money that person has raised!
Direct Donations: If you wish to donate a one off payment direct, or via payroll giving (visit HMRC and search for ‘payroll giving’ for further info) we are now gift-aid registered so by giving your details, we can claim back the tax.
Christmas trees and wreaths: By ordering your Christmas trees through school, they are beautiful quality trees, which don't drop their needles and are available in a range of sizes and prices, they arrive approximately 2-3 weeks before Christmas (dates given nearer the time).
Wrapping paper/cards: You can purchase wrapping paper, cards and decorations for Christmas and birthdays, with large rolls and handy card multi-packs, with a donation of all sales made to school
Card design: A lovely opportunity for your child/children to design a card (or cards) that are then professionally printed, they come in packs of ten with envelopes and gift tags. We do this in time for Christmas, but this is also a nice way of making thankyou cards too!
Donate: books for the library and book box in the playground, Good toys for nursery and supermarket and book vouchers.
For Further info about any of the above please contact: friendsofravenstone@gmail.com
