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The Extras exist 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. All parents and members of the school 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 St Oswald’s CE Primary School ‘The Extras’ when their children join the school.
In its time The Extras have raised thousands of pounds, which has been spent on improving equipment and resources to enhance our children’s education and the facilities in school in general.
Like most PTAs, the majority of our funds are raised through the events that we run. Some of our most popular events are the Summer and Christmas Fayre, Raffles, Film Nights and School Discos.
We always try and respond to the children’s requests for events and it is truly the icing on the cake to see them having fun at the events or enjoying using a piece of new equipment that The Extras have donated.
Once money is raised from events the funds are banked straight away. It is at our Extras Committee Meetings, that the decisions on how to spend the money are agreed. Usually, the school will have a ‘wish list’ of items that the school 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 Extras funds are for the ‘extras’ not provided by the school budget, that make our children’s learning experiences so much more fulfilling and exciting.
The money we raise is usually spent fairly quickly. That way, you can be sure that in supporting our school, your child/ren will feel the benefit, along with everybody else.
There are lots of ways you can help and support your child through The Extras. 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 little jobs that can be done from home if you have half an hour to spare. We really couldn’t achieve what we do without the unseen ‘army of help’ that exists in school.
You can of course if you feel able, volunteer to be a Committee Member. Or you can simply support 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 – everything is potentially valuable to us.
For more information please email: extras@stoswalds.worcs.sch.uk, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed