2010/2011 Diary Dates – Autumn/Winter...

FORS’ Chair, Mrs Liz Kershaw on 01763 848532 or [email protected] 1

Friends of Reed School (FORS)Friends of Reed School (FORS)Friends of Reed School (FORS)Friends of Reed School (FORS)

Reed First School, Jackson’s Lane, Reed, Nr Royston, Herts. SG8 8AB Tel; 01763 848304

Charity no: 1091180Charity no: 1091180Charity no: 1091180Charity no: 1091180

2010/2011 Diary Dates – Autumn/Winter Terms

2nd December, 9 a.m.

Prompt collection outside of school main entrance

Santa’s Helpers

Cash ‘n’ Wrap for Kids

14th December throughout day after school drop £1 per gift – one gents and one ladies gift per pupil

Grand Christmas Draw

Tickets on Sale from 1st November

£1 per ticket; £5 per book of 5 tickets

Pupil selling most tickets wins a prize!

First Prize: Pentium D Processor Computer

Second Prize: Luxury Food Hamper

Other prizes include: Selection of Toiletry Hampers Madajazz Handbag Hand-made Jewellery Baby-Sitting Voucher Haircut & Blowdry Selection smaller food Hampers Photographic Voucher + Art Set Child’s Party Entertainment Voucher Remote-controlled Car

The Grand Christmas Draw will take place in the School Hall on Friday, 17th December upon return to school from the 9 a.m. Carol Service at St Mary’s,

with Mrs Harvey and staff providing some warming refreshments for parents and guests.

We look forward to seeing everyone there – Merry Christmas!



Reed First School, Jackson’s Lane, Reed, Nr Royston, Herts. SG8 8AB Tel; 01763 848304

CharityCharityCharityCharity no: 1091180 no: 1091180 no: 1091180 no: 1091180

Major Appeal 2010/2011

Our major push this year will be to raise

£3,000

towards equipment and decoration of the Early Years Mobile Unit. Whilst we have received additional Grant Monies for this project, there is still a shortfall which will need

to be met by FORS. A full information leaflet about the project will be published to all

parents soon.


Friends of Reed School (FORS)Friends of Reed School (FORS)Friends of Reed School (FORS)Friends of Reed School (FORS) Reed First School, Jackson’s Lane, Reed, Nr Royston, Herts. SG8 8AB

Tel; 01763 848304


Ongoing Projects 2010/2011: Vegetable garden – time permitting, will continue to be done on a smaller scale.

Sensory garden – opened in Summer 2010 and will be added to with crafts by successive pupils.

Expansion of the wildlife garden. This will be on hold, pending the major works on the replacement Nursery & Early Years Mobile Unit.

Continued provision of a subsidy for all future Year 3 & 4 pupils towards the costs of the Kingswood visit. Contributions towards other activities and equipment, as identified by staff to meet curricular and additional requirements.

Achievements so far 2010 include provision of the f ollowing:

CD Player and Speakers

18 Wireless Mice for Laptops

Tactile Phoneme Blends Headphones for Laptops

PM Reading Books for Extension Activities Maths Games & Geometric Shapes

Bookcase for Early Years Library



Reed First School, Jackson’s Lane, Reed, Nr Royston, Herts. SG8 8AB Tel; 01763 848304 Charity no: 1091180

Minutes of meeting held on Wednesday 3 rd November 2010

In attendance: Liz Kershaw, Jackie Harvey, Vicky Neale, Trudi Smith, Cathy Rozier, Nicky Stuart, Nicki Howe, Kelly Liebenberg, Jenny Wisdom

1. Apologies : Louise Griffin, Margaret Reid, Deb Birley, Beverley

Delanougerede, Maddy Turner, Liz Smith 2. Notification of AOB :

KL suggested a Golf Day as a possible event, for further discussion. B/F NH – EY Project

3. Minutes from 16 th September 2010 :

Matters arising: LK checked whether JW had claimed for strawberries cost and all was in order. The Swimathon had been postponed until 13th February 2011. B/F Item 8 – wish lists from staff / children - JH yet to finish these and will follow up. Examples from children so far were dancing clubs, trampoline. ACTION: J Harvey The minutes were approved and signed.

5. Treasurer’s report : see below - An extra column has been created in the CAF Cash account, representing funds raised for the

£3K target towards the EY mobile replacement project. So far the £111.03 from the Beetle Drive has been allocated.

- Re. Kingswood allocation of £1K, only another £30-£40 will be required for this funding. B/F

- Balance of CAF Cash a/c taking into consideration Kingswood allocation and the £344 Expenses is £3099.39.

6. Review of events since last meeting

a. MacMillan Coffee Afternoon 24th September. This was poorly attended, but £50 was raised. Some villagers attended. Discussion ensued about how to improve attendance, which included more involvement of the children – e.g. making cakes and writing invitations; having the event outside rather than inside at, say 3p.m.; perhaps having a tuck day for children only. B/F Should be noted that there was a lot of sickness going around that day.

b. Harvest Festival. LK commented that the standard of entries was very good, but number of entries was down on previous years. Suggestions were to award certificates for all competition entries; invite children to enter a “shoebox” harvest basket / flowers in a jar / colouring competition. JH will ask children for feedback. ACTION: J Harvey

c. Beetle Drive. Again, limited attendance by school families. Those who attended thoroughly enjoyed it. JH suggested that another one take place very soon. Particularly noted that the


children were very well behaved and enjoyed the event. B/F

d. LK specifically asked that if FORS members cannot attend an event, they advise her in advance, as responsibility for set up, clear down, etc., has rested heavily on a few people because of poor attendance at recent events. Discussion ensued and the meeting asked if LK could delegate more, and it was suggested that sub-committees with specific jobs be created for each event.

e. AGM. Disappointment that this was so poorly attended. Questionnaires are to be handed out personally by FORS members to those parents who did not attend regarding the format and focus of FORS in the future, along with a synopsis of the past year. Must draw to the attention of parents that FORS cannot continue as a charity if numbers at the AGM are insufficient. ACTION: L Kershaw

7. Next events General discussion ensued about the format of FORS’ events, going forward. Much would depend on the results of the questionnaires to parents, but it was generally felt that fewer events might generate more interest and fund-raising; e.g. annual disco; Christmas Fayre, Easter Tea; Strawberry Tea; Summer BBQ.

a. Quiz Night – 20th November 2010

7.30 – 10 p.m. Tickets £3; bring own nibbles/drink. It was agreed that set up would be done by JW, KL, LK. Tickets taken away from meeting to be sold: 8 each (NS, NH, JW, KL). Wine stock to be checked for possible prizes. ACTION: L Kershaw Post-meeting a final list of raffle prizes has been drawn up.

b. Bag to School

Booked for 2nd December. Same format as last time. Flyer needs to be put in village hall and church board to ask the village if they have anything to donate. Please can someone volunteer for this?? Explanatory note to be included in the next Owl (18th November) so all know what Bag 2 School is about and that bags are available for collection. ACTION: L Kershaw Consideration to be given to booking one soon after summer holidays when major clear-outs take place! B/F

c. Christmas Activities - Grand draw 17th December – the list of prizes to date was checked. It was generally agreed to

have fewer but better standard of prizes and pre-allocate 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. according to value. Winners will therefore not be able to choose their prizes. Post meeting – NH will do cards with prize numbers on so they can be stuck to the appropriate prizes. It was decided that CR would take charge of setting out the prizes on 17th December. Post meeting BD, CR, LS and possibly NH will sort out all prizes per the final list produced by NH 16th November.

Agreed that tickets would be £5 per book of 5 tickets with each child sent home with 2 books. Prize to child selling most books (more available from the office). Explanatory letter to go out with tickets with Owl 18th November.ACTION: N Howe

Tickets should also be available at the Quiz Night. ACTION: L Kershaw Post meeting conditional planning application for the EY Project has been granted so this will

be referred to in the letter. JH and staff will provide drinks (hot chocolate & mulled wine); FORS to provide mince pies etc.

ACTION: J Wisdom/N Howe - Present wrapping for Santa – helpers required – need to put a form up on board.

ACTION: N Howe It was agreed that the gifts would all be offered for sale at the reduced price of £1.00.


8. Any other business - Communication with parents. Results of questionnaire awaited. Currently by newsletter, web,

facebook, notice board, white board, individual notes in school bags. Discussion about purchasing a new white board solely for FORS that could be put in the playground as the one inside school isn’t readily “viewable”. Note made that the web pages are out of date and JH is resolving this. JH also confirmed that the Learning Platform would be live next year. Research pricing for white board ACTION: N Howe

- P.R. – meeting between JH/LK/NH to be convened. Post meeting, probably is appropriate that a replacement for NH be found vis a vis school and FORS P.R.

ACTION: J Harvey/L Kershaw NH will put on disk all P.R. correspondence for LK.

- Early Years Mobile funding – decision expected 11th November re. planning. JH confirmed that parents would be updated in the next Owl. Post meeting conditional planning permission granted. NH will organise P.R. for local papers. Need to obtain P McMeekin’s input for pamphlet for parents. From last meeting – TS to investigate possibilities for barometer style appeal outside the school. See previous ref. wish list from teaching staff / children. ACTION: N Howe/T Smith/J Harvey

9. Date of next meetings : January 20th, 09.00.

Attached: Treasurer’s Report


FORS committee meeting 3/11/2010 Treasurers Report The report for the financial year 2009/10 was given at the AGM in October. Since the last committee meeting in September we have received monies for the sponsored walk and Beetle Drive which was held jointly with Reed Church (and included a fish and chip super and takings from a raffle) and a cheque from the Bags to School collection in the Summer term.

• The sponsored walk resulted in a final total of £357 • The Beetle Drive made school a profit of £111.03 • Bags to School £104

. Donations to the School FORS have agreed to fund the coach to Celtic Harmony in September (£210) although the bill has not yet been received and also for the Pantomime visit in December (£185). Expenses Expenses were incurred for the Beetle Drive but this was a joint event with the Church and the accounts were handled by Ken Jones. The sum above £111.03 was the school’s profit. Not included in the reconciliation below are the fish and chips for the Beetle Drive, the annual NCPTA sub of £63, Harvest Festival prizes (£46.30) and the Lottery License for the grand Draw (£40). Therefore approximately £344 will come off the total below. Refurbishment of new mobile classroom project. Monies raised from the Beetle Drive have been put towards our hoped for contribution to this project. CafCash Account A reconciliation of the bank account shows there is £4443.39 in the CAF Cash account as of 10th October 2010 KINGSWOOD BALANCE This is now accounted for separately but held within the CafCash account. There is £1000 put aside. We have £177.59 in our Barclays account. Many thanks Vicky Neale



Reed First School, Jackson’s Lane, Reed, Nr Royston, Herts. SG8 8AB Tel; 01763 848304 Charity no: 1091180

Minutes of meeting held on Thursday 16 th September 2010

In attendance: Liz Kershaw, Jackie Harvey, Vicky Neale, Trudi Smith, Cathy Rozier, Beverley Delanougerede, Nicki Howe, Liz Smith, Kelly Liebenberg 1. Apologies : Louise Griffin, Jenny Wisdom, Sandra Jordan, Margaret Reid, Nicky Stuart, Deb Birley 2. Welcome to Mrs Harvey LK welcomed Mrs Harvey to her first FORS meeting and welcomed the continued support from the

head of Reed First School. Mrs Harvey stated that she was not intending on making changes for changes sake.

3. Notification of AOB :

Funding to help replace mobile classroom. PR - to be discussed at separate meeting LK, NH and JH. Specifically: update of website; funding of replacement EY mobile; school in general & events; FORs events.

4. Minutes from 17 th June 2010 : The minutes were approved and signed. 5. Treasurer’s report : see below

- LK to check if there are any outstanding monies owed to anyone after the Strawberry Tea. - VN asked if FORS would fund the coach trip for the Christmas Panto. LK agreed that this would be

OK. - LK suggested that a sum of money could be put by to kick start the funding for the EY mobile – see

later - Request from LK to ask staff for a wish list to see if there is anything they require for the forthcoming

year that we can then work into our budget – JH - Await info from JH regarding Kingswood 2011 to ensure FORs has sufficient funding

6. Review of events since last meeting a. Summer events – BBQ, Sports Day and Strawberry Tea

LK passed on a big thank you to all involved in organising, running and clearing up from all the events. They were enjoyed by everyone and we have had positive feedback. The BBQ especially was hard work for such a small team. KL stated that it was a lovely event and enabled her to get to know the school before her son started. Bring this forward for later meeting to see if feasible to hold one summer 2011.


b. Sponsored Walk

Lovely day and a great walk for those that came. Slightly disappointed by the low turn out and it would have nice to have had some support from staff members, but we understand that everyone has other priorities – maybe change the timing to earlier in the year if we do this again. Sponsor money still coming in but looking around £250 which is superb.

7. Next events a. MacMillan Coffee Afternoon – 24th September

Start at 2.15 – keep it fairly low key. JH stated that she would like to have a ten minute slot at around 2.50 to chat to the parents about aims for the year. Request to parents for cakes. Also if anyone wants to have a table to sell bits in return for 10% going to MacMillan. LS to speak to Jane L and Jane F re bags and toys to be out on a table with LS running. Advertise on playground board and exterior noticeboard.

b. Harvest Competition, Service and Supper

Competition to be scarespoons for children and baskets for families – separate flyer to go out with the Owl with full information. Harvest festival in the church on October 1st at 7 pm when the winners will be announced. Harvest supper after the church service – everyone invited, but they would like numbers – LK to put list up on board. LK to buy prizes; NH to source 3 family prizes from local companies.

c. Beetle Drive

To be held on 16th October in conjunction with the Church. LK has had a meeting with the church to confirm details – however since then the price has changed to £10 for adults and £5 for children which would make it expensive for a family of 4. LK to try and get it down to £8 and £4.

d. Swimathon

Event in Royston organised by Rotary Club and supporting several Royston based charities. To be held over the weekend of 16/17th October. Put in the Owl to be suggested that Reed has a team to enter on 17th.

e. AGM Agenda needs to go out 2 weeks before the meeting – LS to sort. LK to provide update on how funding

spent. Possibly launch the Early Years funding request at this time. f. Quiz Night

Village Hall booked for 20/11/10 – 7.30pm start – Mrs T is waiting to hear back from friends but hopes this is all ok. Adults only event. Supper to be provided along with ticket. Raffle.

g. Bag to School

Booked for 2nd December. Same format as last time. Bev suggested putting a bag in every book bag to remind parents. Also flyer in village hall and church board to ask the village if they have anything to donate. LK / LS to re-do note to parents explaining what it is about and how they can help – spread to word to friends and family. Consideration to be given to booking one soon after summer holidays when major clear-outs take place!

h. Christmas Activities

Christmas gifts to parents as before – wrapping to be held on Tuesday of the last week of term. LS / NH to draft a letter for parents requesting donations for this, and outline all events and raffle needs. Get a pop-up bag or other receptacle in reception for anticipated drip-feed of donations. LS/NH to check & list donations left over from past events. Possibly postpone the Christmas Fair from the end of term due to other activities. Possibility of Grand Xmas Raffle – NH stated that Peter McMeekin has a computer that he would be willing to donate for an Auction of Promises, LK to ask him if he would be prepared to donate one for this raffle. Suggestions of doing a big raffle with good quality prizes, vouchers, possible cinema tickets, hampers etc. LS to look into Gaming Licence. VN to ask the secretary at Tannery where they get their tickets printed. Possibly a Toys R Us voucher to the child that sells the most tickets. NH to see what prizes can be sourced (note taken of ideas put forward).


8. Any other business - Early Years Mobile funding – LK stated that the aim is to raise £3,000 to help with furnishings and

fixings. Need to launch the appeal in such a way that all parents are aware of the importance of the mobile as a unit for all the school as a community. Need to start informing the parents of the intentions and plans – though possibly wait til we have permission. NH / LS to start a pamphlet for parents.

Aim to make the appeal visual to all parents – updating the web and possibly a barometer style appeal outside the school – filled with sand? TS to investigate possibilities.

Need to ask staff for a wish list of items to go in the new building (JH) – possibly make a visual list with prices and tick them off when they achieved.

JH also to start talking to the children to see if they have any plans / ideas.

9. Date of next meetings : AGM: Thursday 21st October, after drop-off (8.50am) Wednesday 3rd November, 6pm (All FORs correspondence to parents other than that for AGM to go out to parents as one document by Friday 22nd October, ready for half-term)

See below for treasurer’s report


FORS committee meeting 16/9/2010 Treasurers Report Our last reported event was the Fashion Show in June and since then we have had very successful occasions when funds have been raised for FORS. The opening of the Sensory Garden and family BBQ was a lovely day and whilst it was not intended particularly as a fundraiser a profit was received. The FORS manned a stall at the Church Strawberry Tea and also provided refreshments at the school’s sports day. A busy term ended with the school’s own strawberry tea party. • The Opening of the Sensory Garden and family BBQ made r a profit of £293.66 • The Church Strawberry Tea generated a profit of £46.85. • Refreshments from Sports Day took £51 in donations. • The School Strawberry Tea made a profit of £144.25 • A donation has been made to the FORS from the Church Book Stall of £5.50 The above figures have been included in the bank reconciliation below. Not included yet is a donation of £10 for tea towels plus sponsor money from the walk (Sept12th) and £104 from the Summer Bags2school collection. Donations to the School Since the last report the FORS funded the coach for the school trip in July - £375. Expenses The summer events entailed a considerable amount of expenditure in terms of buying refreshments etc but any surplus was either sold off or returned to the shops where purchased, however all the occasions showed a profit once the expenditure had been taken off. (NB I have a note that there may still be approximately £30 expenses outstanding from the Strawberry Tea) CafCash Account It has been noted on a recent statement that a cheque for £9 was returned uncleared and a charge of £2.50 incurred. I will endeavour to chase the presenter. A reconciliation of the bank account shows there is approximately £4061.39 in the CAF Cash account as of 10th September 2010 (not including Kingswood). KINGSWOOD BALANCE This is now accounted for separately but held within the CafCash account. There is £1000 put aside. We have £177.59 in our Barclays account. Many thanks Vicky Neale



Tel; 01763 848304


COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES:

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 17TH

JUNE 2010

In attendance: Liz Kershaw, Alison Thomas, Vicky Neale, Trudi Smith, Cathy Rozier, Beverley Delanougerede,

Nicki Howe, Liz Smith, Lucy Schonberger

1. Apologies: Louise Griffin, Jenny Wisdom, Sandra Jordan, Margaret Reid, Nicky Stuart

2. Notification of AOB: Funding to help replace mobile classroom.

3. Minutes from 21st

April 2010: The minutes were approved and signed.

4. Treasurer’s report: see below

Feedback on May Fayre: not as good as last year (weather?)

Opportunity to promote the school (only one other school represented this year). Possibly consider

something other than tombola next year, as there were lots of others this year.

Afternoon tea party before half-term: some people asked about taking children early (had

misunderstood). May need to make it clearer another time that this is not planned.


- Chocolate tombola (see above); next time try something like lucky dip, second-hand toy stall (using eg. Macdonalds prizes that we already have);

- Afternoon tea worth doing again (made more money than a morning coffee event); possibly combine the September one with Macmillan Coffee Morning event (they provide resources) on 24th Sept (LSm to check date) – doesn’t have to be on that day and school-based event doesn’t have to be at end of term or half term; could offer people chance to sell second-hand clothes/toys on stalls (NH). Di Duke runs Macmillan one so avoid clash and maybe go to hers and invite people there to come to school later; avoid overlapping stalls etc on offer.

- Fashion show: could change supplier next time, providing they offer children’s clothes (CR to investigate on Internet). Popular event and good fundraiser; more villagers came this time but still not very many parents. If new supplier, let people know in publicity next time to encourage different audience. NH to send photo to newspapers with thank you to prize donors. Recruit more people (especially some men) to help with clearing up at end – stacking staging etc.

- Bag2School: less donated this time so maybe explain again next time what this is, for new parents etc. Also let village know?

6. Next events

a. BBQ and sensory garden opening

Numbers currently estimated at 60+ so LK suggests catering for 100.

Neil Hitchcock, John Kershaw, Mark Wisdom to cook. BBQs in hand (Jenny, possibly Karen). Two

fridges at school available for use (in nursery and Mrs Gray’s room). Gazebos to be put up in morning,

plus games put out etc. Gazebo to be used for serving beer etc. TS can provide container for ice to put

drinks in. All who can to lend cool boxes and bags with ice blocks to store food. Let LK know your


availability for setting up late morning, or to do slots during the event to help, so she can plan who

does what. Stalls: several external ones coming; LSm to chase up the two Janes. LK sourcing tattoos to

add to one-hour face-painting slot/stall. PA system – LK has organised.

Maybe forget the raffle this time (unless one very good prize can be secured).

b. Strawberry tea at St Mary’s church (10th

July): run another chocolate tombola as we have stock left

from May Fayre? LK seeking help to run stall, half-hour slots – let her know if available.

c. Sports Day refreshments (13th

July): asking for donations worked well last time; repeat this time –

donated cakes etc, cold drinks, fruit (eg. watermelon, as last time). Need extra help during the break to

cover busiest time – let LK know if available.

d. School strawberry tea (22nd

July, last day of term, 1.40pm): nice homemade cakes (large gateau style

and buns, bought or homemade, scones etc); need volunteers for refreshments stall. Help also needed

straight after leavers assembly. LK to do note to parents asking for cake donations, help etc. Activities

– get out school equipment eg. parachute, rackets etc

NB: Climbing frame – ensure people are aware children are their own responsibility (sign on play

equipment).

e. Family sponsored walk (12th

Sept) – need to check whether new pub owners/managers will offer same

food options, children’s menu etc. at the Fox & Duck, Therfield. Advertise event before summer break

to ensure people know, begin collecting sponsors etc. Could be fundraiser for the new classroom

(FORS have agreed to try and raise £3,000 for interior);

LSm has volunteered to help with exterior gardening work around the new classroom.

Quiz night – waiting for AT to confirm when possible for quizmaster

7. Any other business

- Post of secretary: this will be vacant from September as LSch moving away during summer holidays.

LSm suggested splitting, as she could do daytime meeting minutes; NH has volunteered to share it.

- Auction of promises – only one volunteer has come forward for committee. Need a big fundraising

event to contribute substantial amount towards new classroom donation so something like an auction

of promises is needed. Maybe a joint event with a village organisation – the church? – to split the

proceeds and work. LK to put out feelers in village. LSch to ask about village hall committee

considering this.

8. Date of next meetings:

Thursday 16th

September, 9am

AGM: Thursday 21st

October, after drop-off (8.50am)

Wednesday 3rd

November, 6pm

Additional reminder:Tony Hunter – county councillor for North Herts – coming briefly to BBQ

LK wants to chat to him about getting grant and will try to speak to him at event.


Treasurer’s Report Our last reported event was the Easter Tea and since then we have had several occasions when funds have been raised for FORS. • The Royston May Fayre took place on Bank Holiday Monday but the weather was disappointing. However

the chocolate tombola raised £156.18 and a donation from face painting was £7.50. (Last year £228 and £15). The only outlay was £5 for the pitch and of course helpers time.

• The bedding plant offer generated a profit of £54.12 which was reasonable for minimum effort. • An afternoon tea party (get together rather than fund raising opportunity) took £46.85 in donations. • The more major event of the Fashion Show resulted in approximately 60 tickets being sold at a cost of £3

(£180) a raffle which took approx £100 and commission from the sale of clothes of £86. The ticket sales and raffle sums are an approximation as several tickets were sold on the door and monies included together. The grand total of takings was therefore £362.80. There were some expenses to be taken out for refreshments of approximately £25. (Joint receipt with advance purchase for forthcoming BBQ)

Donations to the School No donations have been made to the school since the last report but FORS have agreed to fund part of the school trip in July. Expenses As mentioned some expenses have been paid for refreshments, plus the £5 for the pitch at the May Fayre. £21 has also been paid out to NHDC for a drinks licence for the BBQ and sensory garden opening on 26th June. CafCash Account A reconciliation of the bank account shows there is approximately £2789.02 in the CAF Cash account as of 16th June (not including Kingswood). KINGSWOOD BALANCE This is now accounted for separately but held within the CafCash account. There is £1000 put aside. We have £177.59 in our Barclays account. Many thanks Vicky Neale



Tel; 01763 848304



Minutes of Meeting held: 21st April 2010

In attendance: Liz Kershaw, Alison Thomas, Vicky Neale, Jenny Wisdom, Margaret Reid, Lucy Schönberger, Nicki Howe

1. Apologies for absence – Louise Griffin, Debbie Birley, Cathy Rozier, Liz Smith, Nicky Stuart, Trudi Smith (Timing of

future meetings – continue rotating between mornings and evenings, possibly try 2pm too, to catch as many as

possible)

2. Notification of any other business – Cake Break; Spring bedding plants; outside blackboard; school visit (16th July)

3. Minutes of last meeting, 25th February 2010 – The minutes were approved and signed.

NB: LK to contact Tony Hunter re his grant fund after 6th May – bring forward from minutes.

4. Treasurer’s report – see attached

5. Funding proposal for approval

Proposal had been made by Peter McMeekin that FORS take out a loan to add to funds for replacing the ‘chocolate

box’ mobile. Proposal now amended to suggest that FORS contribute to some aspect of the replacement if and

when it happens. (FORS has contributed to refurbishment of existing one in the past, so there is a precedent and

this would make a new ‘big’ project to fundraise for.) Even though the building would be primarily a

nursery/reception classroom, it could be relevant to all if used for after-school clubs, housing new staffroom etc.

This would give a focus to some if not all future FORS fundraising events to support the cause. It is currently hoped

that the work might start Easter 2011.

6. Events since last meeting

Easter Tea: very successful; chocolate left over to be contributed to the Chocolate Tombola at May Fayre. Possibly

spread out stalls at future similar events into another room or corridor to give a bit more space.

7. Next events

a. Chocolate Tombola:

(NB: Simone Robinson set up has set up a Reed First School page on Facebook primarily for contacting parents

quickly eg for school closures during the snow etc, but LK is starting to also use it to promote events, contact people

for support, contributions, help at events etc)

Sara facepainting. Now need people to donate chocolate, staff the stall. List up for signing from 12noon. VN to

supply fliers and float.

b. Fashion Show (Weds 9th June, 7.30pm)

• LK seeking models – some already signed up (mainly children); still has info materials from last year so will

circulate again – eg. notes for models

• VN to do tickets after bank holiday w/e

• Provide non-alcoholic drink on arrival

• Company doing the show will provide posters/leaflets

• Organise raffle – some prizes here but more needed (NH to approach new beauty businesses in Royston for

possible donations)

• FORS members to talk up event and try to sell as many tickets as possible – aiming for approx 60 people.


c. Barbeque and sensory garden opening (26th June, 3-6pm)

• Invitations – LK has drafted guest list and an invitation/explanatory leaflet (possibly with lucky number for draw at

event?), with some background to the sensory garden project. To go out within next couple of weeks if possible.

Include RSVP.

• NH suggested inviting village organisations and local businesses to set up stalls, which might broaden range of

people attending (eg. garden club, church, artist Sue Sanders, Shepreth Wildlife Park, pocket money toys etc)

• LK to find out from TS what’s still needed in the garden itself (water feature, bench) to plan completion for the

event, for photos to be taken for PR etc.

• Food: sell burgers, sausages, salad, strawberries; sell ice creams from freezer (JW to contact Russells butchers for

possible deal on 150 burgers and 150 sausages).

• Ask Dallas Smith to design and produce a special celebration cake?

• Ask parents to donate salads? (list on board, as for Christmas parties etc)

• Sell alcohol (LK to apply for licence)

• Possibly approach showman based in Meldreth for merry-go-round, which they would manage.

• Liz Wells will provide a trail of some kind for children to do (though she won’t be here to oversee).

• Opening ceremony at 3.30pm – food afterwards; stalls, games etc throughout. Ribbon to be cut?

• Meet ouside FORS meetings to finalise other details. LK will organise a coffee date to discuss with as many as can

be there.

d. Diary of events (see attached – LK has updated)


• Tesco vouchers – LK has met Tesco community liaison person (Mandy Jinkerson) who may be able to offer

support from Tesco at future fundraising events (prizes, freebies etc)

• Giving Machine – thanks message has gone out to everyone contributing this way (see also Treasurer’s report)

• Cake Break – Friday 30th April – please could FORS members make some cakes

• Spring bedding plants – deadline this Friday but could wait till early/mid next week.

• Outside blackboard – LK to ask CR whether still possible for her husband to do.

• School visit (16th July) – booked trip to Aylesbury (Roald Dahl Gallery at County

Museum). AT requested FORS fund the coach but costs not yet known.

9. Date of next meeting

Thursday 17th June, 9am


FORS committee meeting 21/4/2010 Treasurers Report The Easter tea was one of the main events for the last term and raised a total of £244.90. This included a donation from the face painting of £9 and money from competition entries of £20.90 . The hugely successful plant pot tombola contributed largely to the total. The financial return as required by the charities commission for a statement of our accounts for the (FORS) financial year ending Sept 09 has been sent electronically and confirmation of receipt received. Donations to the school £12 has been spent using the Book People for Leavers Books for July as an offer on Thesaurii came through. Receipts FORS were delighted to receive a donation from Peter McMeekin for £190 as a result of his winnings at a village race night. We received a cheque for £29.80 from the Giving Machine. An additional £14 have been received from the sale of tea towels. A reconciliation of the bank account shows there is approximately £2315.58 in the CAF Cash account as of 4th April (not including Kingswood). KINGSWOOD BALANCE This is now accounted for separately but held within the CafCash account. There is £1000 put aside. We have £177.59 in our Barclays account. Many thanks Vicky Neale



Tel; 01763 848304



Minutes of Meeting held: 25th February 2010

In attendance: Liz Kershaw, Alison Thomas, Vicky Neale, Jenny Wisdom, Debbie Birley, Cathy Rozier, Beverley Dela

Nougerede, Trudi Smith, Lucy Schonberger

1. Apologies: Liz Smith, Louise Griffin, Nicki Howe, Maddy Turner, Margaret Reid, Nicky Stuart

2. Notification of any other business – none reported

3. Minutes of last meeting – the minutes were approved and signed

4. Treasurer’s report – see attached


a. Coffee morning – attendance low; LK and AT have checked against list of all parents and most of those who

could come were there. Others working etc. Should we reconsider time?

Stay and play sessions –AT explained these will be starting for pre-school children, run by the Children’s Centre in

the school hall; could focus on these instead of doing coffee mornings where it’s harder for people to attend. LK

explained a few people in the village might have wanted to come but didn’t know it was on. So if we do again,

could be more of an ‘outreach’ event to attract villagers with small children etc. Also, most parents currently are

not ‘new’. However, after Easter there will be some new in Nursery. Could focus on doing one coffee/afternoon

tea at end of each half-term. LK to invite village.

Proposed 28th

May for an ‘afternoon tea’ event – LK won’t be here but can be organised anyway. Add to calendar.

Remind LK to let village know – poster for outside notice board.

Let Eric Addicott know, as he is the village news person who’s aware of all that’s happening and can check if

clashes etc. Put poster on Village Hall board.

6. Next events

a. Easter Tea (1st

April)

- Easter bonnet and egg decorating (hard-boiled)

(need to get the info out in bags approx two weeks in advance; Lucy S to get previous material from Liz S – LK

too)

- Ask Sara to come for face-painting stall

- Liz Smith’s friend brings a stall

- Treasure hunt activity with grid to select where treasure buried (LK to check whether she can find)

- Buzzer wire

- Guess number of eggs in a jar (ensure some big ones, as it takes a lot of eggs to fill)

- Hook the duck game

- Tombola – Fill a pot: worked well at Barley event – give each family a medium-sized plastic plant pot to fill

with something they’d like to win, then tombola them. All with spare pots at home to bring them in. Put a bag

outside with pots in for parents to help themselves.

- Lucky dip-style game with chocolate eggs, rabbits etc buried in sand. TS to buy from Wilkinson. Charge 20p a

go to ensure we break even. TS can provide coins to search for in sand, then exchange eg. Five coins for a

chocolate item.

- Separate lucky dip for toys from school supply


- Possibly guess the weight of Easter cake (DS to make?)

- Refreshments – JW will cover stall

b. Calendar of events for 2010

- 3rd

May –May Fayre stall booked – chocolate tombola and face painting (Sara). LK will need people to

volunteer for rota to be on stall and for chocolate donations – ask during w/c 19th

April.

- Quiz night – not possible for May. Move to autumn (see below). Replace with Fashion Show? Weds 19th

May

– LK to check whether company that did it last time could do. Small raffle (six to eight good prizes?) NB Since

the meeting the Fashion Show has now been booked for Wednesday, 9th

June 2010

- BBQ – Sat 26th

June, 3-6pm; food ready at 4pm; some dads to be chefs?; burgers, sausages, make salads;

health and safety – need to be careful about where the BBQs are (eg. at side, behind fence so children kept

away, not near gas tank; warn neighbour; JW has a spare freezer for ice cream on site). Provide some activities –

sports on grass etc – but keep it simple (scavenger hunt?). Advertise soon so people have date in their diaries.

NB Since the meeting Oliver Heald is now booked to officially open the sensory garden during this event.

- St Mary’s Reed, Strawberry Tea, Sat 10th

July – possibly tombola; FORS stall

- October – reschedule quiz (Village Hall – LK to check if free; AT to check when her friends available to run it)

Response to questionnaire on events – very low response (only four non-FORS people, all fairly positive). Maybe

people are concerned about being asked to help

Sensory garden: Oliver Heald may be available on a Friday; press could photograph him cutting ribbon, children

watching etc. LK to try for Thurs 22nd

to tie in with Strawberry Tea; otherwise try the Sat 26th

June at BBQ or

Friday 9th

morning. NB Since the meeting this has been confirmed for Sat 26th

June during the BBQ

c. Bag2School booked for Weds 16th

June after 10am (bags to be del’d w/c 24th

May); next one 2nd

Dec. Any

volunteers welcome to help people unload bags; also offer to drop the evening before.

d. Potential auction of promises 2011: would need a sub-committee as lots of organisation needed. LK to put in

next FORS letter to parents to ask whether anyone interested in being on sub-committee as a one-off.

e. St Mary’s events – LK has heard from Karin Weston that church keen to do more with school. Beetle drive (16th

Oct? – early evening, like race night). Also consider sharing quiz night?

7. Sensory garden

See above re grand opening. TS updated on progress – for gravel, may need help to wheelbarrow it to garden to

distribute, when delivered in very large bag (best value). TS will email to get volunteers.


8. AOB

a. PR update:

Thank you letter in two local but only one mentioned benefactors.

Next PR dependent on either (i) weather/season for development pics of sensory, veg and wild gardens or (ii)

official opening. If MP can’t do it, how about Revd Sarah? Invite guests from the benefactors’ companies? Can the

children make a ‘thank you’ banner or flags with benefactors’ names on, as it seems press are reluctant to

mention names and the flags could be placed in tyres or held by them for photo call?

b. Wish list – see above (point 4); local councillor Tony Hunt might have some grant money available (£200-300) –

need another wish list (include eg. outdoor play equipment that the Children’s Centre could use, to show benefit

to the community); LK to feed back to him early April.

9. Date of next meeting – Weds 21st

April 6pm

(will need to liaise about Easter Tea before then)

Treasurers Report There have been very few transactions through the bank since the last meeting, although the outstanding cheques have now been presented. Donations to the school. With careful consideration and much pouring over catalogues the school ‘wish list’ has now largely been ordered. In consequence a cheque has been paid over to the school for £746.13. Receipts We have received £112 from the December Bags to School A reconciliation of the bank account shows there is approximately £1859.09 in the CAF Cash account (not including Kingswood). KINGSWOOD BALANCE This is now accounted for separately but held within the CafCash account. There is £1000 put aside. We have £177.59 in our Barclays account. Many thanks Vicky Neale


Minutes of Meeting held: Thursday 14th January 2010

In attendance: Liz Kershaw, Alison Thomas, Vicky Neale, Liz Smith, Jenny Wisdom, Cathy Rozier, Bev Dela Nougerede, Trudi Smith, Lucy Schonberger, Nicola Howe, Margaret Reid.

1. Apologies: Louise Griffin, Maddy Turner, Debbie Birley, Nicky Stuart

2. Notification of any other business:

3. Confirmation of Minutes for November 9

th 2009

The minutes were approved and signed.

4. Treasurer’s Report

See attached.

19 tea towels are left – LK suggested one more letter going out to ask parents if they want one, then using them

as gifts for people who helped us out last year.

5. Review of recent events

a. Race Night – a great success and everyone that attended enjoyed themselves especially the children!!

Really nice to do an evening event that included them. Timing excellent. Food relatively easy to

organise and thanks go to the helpers on the night.

b. Bag to School – still successful and relatively straightforward. LK to speak to Maddy re arranging 2 more

dates for this school year.

c. Children’s Christmas Shop – great fun for all the children again and one to be repeated. We have some

gents pressies left for this year. Also form to go out to parents in advance requesting total number of

presents required and asking for money upfront to save any muddles on the day, especially at this busy

time of year.

d. Christmas Raffle – good response with some great prizes. Worked well alongside the children’s Bring

and Buy sale which everyone felt was a great success .

6. Next events

a. Bag to School – see above

b. Panto – only 4 families have agreed to go despite it being in Royston and therefore very local.

Disappointing uptake for a social.

c. Ideas for 2010.

Bev suggested another Auction of Promises – LK said that this takes a lot of planning and organising and

we need to make sure that people have the money to spend, although it does raise lots of money.

Possibly put it in the calendar for summer 2011. To bring up at next meeting.

Cathy suggested a Hog Roast – tried before and was a lot of hard work, however if we limit the hours,

say 1-4, this might reduce this. Possibly ask The Cabinet if they would like to do the roast / BBQ. Mrs

Thomas said that the date needs to be fixed as soon as possible so as not to clash with any other schools

in the area. Possibly tie it in with a Summer Fete, bring out the toys used for the Strawberry Tea.

May Fayre – 3rd

May in Royston – hope to have a stall again with chocolate tombola

Quiz Night – do not wish to clash with any event in the village – possibly 7th

or 14th

May tba

Fashion Show – worked well last time. Mrs Neale suggested possibly holding it in the autumn to catch a

different clothes collection. LK to speak to TAP Partnership who came before.

Sponsored Walk – more appealing than a cycle ride – Jenny suggested walking from the Heath to

Therfield and back – buggy friendly. Sunday 12th

September suggested as a date. Also possibility of

having a meal at the pub in Therfield – collect menu numbers before and makes it more of a social.


Harvest Festival – have a break from scarecrows this year – maybe still do the scarespoons and ask for

donations of foodstuffs to go into baskets – if we get some baskets say from Market One, we can make

up the baskets to go to the church and then be auctioned off after.

Easter Tea – like before – suggestion of doing bonnets and egg decoration this year, not colouring. 1st

April pm. Raffle as before and table top games.

Coffee morning to be held in the hall – Fri 12th

Feb.

7. Sensory Garden

Trudi updated everyone on the situation with the sensory garden and plans for this year. Rubber shingle needs

to be ordered and put down – Trudi to liaise with Mrs Thomas. Possibly get some seats in the garden – LS to

speak to work re rustic log seats. Composter still to be decided, maybe it would be easier to get a compost heap

in the wildlife area.

Trudi to draw up rota for craft and gardening projects in the next couple of months – dates to be agreed with

Mrs Thomas.

LK asked LS if there were any plans to grow vegetables – LS to respond and also discuss with Trudi.


a. LK thanked Liz Smith for being secretary for the last 2 years. LK also welcomed Lucy Schonberger into

the post.

b. PR – Nic H updated on the PR – thankyous for the raffle prizes etc have gone to the papers and letters to

all doners. For FORS and the school, Nic wants to concentrate on the gardens. Include a note in the

diary and the owl re thanks to all that have taken part. Use of funds – photo with the children and the

bike raised by the Christmas cards – ‘By the children, for the children’. School website needs updating

eg the list of events.

c. School wish list – Mrs Thomas handed round a list of items for the school. These include a CD player, 18

x wireless ‘mice’ for the laptops, a bookcase for the early years and a new outdoor blackboard. Cathy R

to ask re cost of marine ply to make a straightforward blackboard. Mrs Gray and Mrs Reid would like to

take their classes on a trip next term and LK said that FORS would pay for the coach.

Snow Queen visit left from last term will take place next Friday

SetPoint visit – science visit for Mrs Gray and Mrs Reid costs £225 per day – Mrs Reid to look into

possibility of them visiting the school again.

Letter to go to parents ‘Thanks to you we have raised £XX for FORS. Without this, the trip would have

cost you £XX.’ LK and LS to pen a newsletter to parents outlining plans for the forthcoming year,

including reply slip for ideas and gardening rota.

9. Date of next meetings

It has been decided that every other meeting will take place in a morning and that due to Lucy S taking on the

role of secretary, evening meetings will now be on a Wednesday evening.

Thurs 25th

February 9am

Then next meeting,

Wednesday 21st

April 6pm


FORS committee meeting 14/1/2010 Treasurers Report

Since the last meeting we have held the much enjoyed family race night and the assorted events leading up to Christmas.

• The race night made a profit of £246.36 (expenses 460.52 and income £706.88 - tickets, horses bets etc) • The sale of tea towels was very brisk to start but tailed off and we are left with 19. They cost £231.61 and

sales made £317.25 - so a profit of £85.64. A decision needs to be made about the remainder. • The raffle at the bring and buy generated an amazing £131, and FORS made a small profit of £11 on the

sale of bulbs, not very well supported this year. • £94 was taken on the Children’s Xmas shopping day. However there had been some purchases made to

support this so there was little actual profit. • A small donation of £7.84 was received from smartie tubes and chutney sales. • The FORS are taking a family group to the Royston Pantomime but this is cost neutral. • A cheque has been received for £96 from the summer term bags to school collection. Donations to the school. £60.89 was paid out to purchase presents for the children from Father Christmas at the school parties. £170 was made over to cover the cost of the coach to the Panto in Cambridge. Bank interest of £0.81 has been received. A reconciliation of the bank account shows there is approximately £2505 in the CAF Cash account (not including Kingswood). KINGSWOOD BALANCE This is now accounted for separately but held within the CafCash account. There is £1000 put aside. We have £177.59 in our Barclays account. Many thanks Vicky Neale

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