Summer 2016 Friends of St Mary Bourne School newsletter The Friends of St Mary Bourne School is a charity run entirely by parents at the school. Our aim is to give all our children the best possible educational start by raising money to pay for resources, facilities and experiences for which no other funding is available. New officers appointed but activities limited until new Chair found 1 This year’s AGM saw the outgoing officers congratulated for their outstanding fundraising achievements as well as the welcome appointment of a new treasurer. Joint chairs Monique Carter-Hunt and Jo Strong, secretary Nicola Facey and treasurer Vanessa Clarke, all stepped down at the AGM after leading the committee for the past two years. During that time, the Committee has raised an incredible £50,000 which has supported the school in many different ways. The Committee confirmed the immediate appointment of accountant Amanda Stimpson, who very kindly came forward to lend her skills to the committee as treasurer. She replaces Vanessa, who the committee would like to thank for her significant contribution. Since the AGM, Helen Palmer has also generously offered to become the committee secretary from September. Until a new committee chair is found, Jo Strong will remain as interim chair (jointly with Monique Hunt until the end of this term) in a limited capacity which means that Friends’ activities will be reduced to essential fundraising events only. The committee will focus its resources on the Fun Run, the Flower Show, the Christmas Fair, and another Quiz Night in the spring term of Sadly, events like the end of term disco and Christmas pantomime trip are unlikely to take place this year unless volunteers come forward to help organise them or raise funds to put towards them. If you feel you could lead the committee (perhaps jointly with a friend) or organise an event, please contact Jo, who will be seeking helpers for planned events going forward. Ground Force Day volunteers needed Helping hands are needed at the school for the Queen’s 90 th birthday themed ‘Challenge 90’ Ground Force Day at 9.30am-12pm on Saturday June 11 th. Please volunteer via the school office. Tea and cake will be served! Can you help with our Friendship garden project? The Friends have been asked by the school to help with the redevelopment of the Friendship garden, which needs urgent attention. Raised flower beds now need replacing and drainage needs improving. This is an opportunity to create something really special for the children outside. If you have any garden landscaping or design expertise we would love to hear from you as this is a project that requires professional input as well as Friends funding!

2 ‘Blooming marvellous’ result Despite the rain, our hardy plant sale team raised an impressive £500 at this year’s event. The children will be growing on many of the unsold plants in class and combined with the excellent entries in the Master Gardener competition, we hope this will encourage everyone to ‘get growing!’ Thanks to generous donations from Vitacress, Hardys and Wyevale Garden Centres, as well as some top quality home grown donations from Neil Brooks. The team put together some fantastic pots and hanging baskets to sell so huge thanks to Lou and Anna as well as all those people who helped on the day. Dates for your diary School Ground Force Day – 9.30am-12pm, Saturday 11 th June. Next Friends’ committee meeting – 8pm, Thursday 16 th June, Bourne Valley Inn Family Run Run – Wednesday 29 th June SMB Flower Show – Saturday 23 rd July. Clothes sale and bag2school success Together, the secondhand children’s clothes sale and bag2school raised more than £300. Many thanks to everyone who donated clothes and a big thank you to Michelle, Helen, Zoe, Ali, Vicky and Paula who helped with sorting clothes, storing them or helping at the sale itself. Raise money as you shop online Did you know that you could be raising money for the Friends every time you shop online? If you register for free at org.uk/invite/21XSEU most of the high street retailers and supermarkets will donate a percentage of your sale to our school every time you shop online. org.uk/invite/21XSEU If every family at the school were to sign up we could raise more than a thousand pounds a year. It’s easy, free and there for the taking so please sign up today! Committee officers Monique Carter-Hunt – Joint interim chair Jo Strong – Joint interim chair Helen Palmer – Secretary Amanda Stimpson – Treasurer Get your running shoes on! Last year’s Fun Run raised a record £2,000 for the school and this year we’re hoping to raise even more! Sponsor forms will be in book bags this week so please urge family and friends to sponsor your child/children in this year’s event, as every penny helps the school. Could you also please remind sponsors to tick the Gift Aid box, where applicable, as this allows us to raise even more. The Fun Run will take place on Wednesday 29 th June. Communications help needed Could you help the committee get its messages across to parents/carers? Due to work commitments, our current communications helper will be unable to write the newsletters and manage the Facebook Group after the end of this term. If you feel you could help keep parents/carers informed of Friends’ activities, please contact Charlotte Reid at