An Introduction to the PTFA (Parents, Teachers and Friends Association)

PS: Don’t forget to regularly check all the PTFA events happening at the school!

John Hampden Primary School PTFA is a group of at least fifteen parents and teachers who organise and run various fund-raising events throughout the year.

With ever-increasing demands on school budgets the PTFA now has an important role in paying for extra items and facilities. The PTFA at John Hampden is a registered charity that has a role for everyone, if they want to take part. Not everyone realises this but: simply by being a parent or guardian of a child at John Hampden School, you are automatically a member of the PTFA.

The PTFA meets six times a year to discuss and arrange future activities, plan events and to allocate funds for improvements to school facilities.

Those who cannot commit to these meetings can sign up to our Helpers list where they can assist as much or as little as they are able whether it be running a stall at the bazaar or Summer Fete, baking cakes or decorating the hall for one of our discos – a wide variety of skills are always needed.

John Hampden’s PTFA has a long and successful history raising in excess of £10,000 per annum in recent years. Our main fund-raisers include the annual grand Fireworks display (in collaboration with the two other Thame primary schools), a Christmas bazaar and a summer fete.

We also run a range of fun events for adults (quizzes, parties and fashion shows), children (infant entertainer, disco) and families (summer BBQ, outdoor days).

Running these events from start to finish takes a lot of commitment from our members and cannot be done without the help of all the parents and friends of John Hampden but is always worthwhile when we are able to see the good this money has done for the school.

In recent years the PTFA has been able to:

• build the Wooden fort;
• replace the PA system;
• fund the school’s computer suite;
• refurbish both the junior and infant libraries
• create an outdoor classroom from a disused swimming pool area;
• create an outdoor stage;
• purchase stage lighting for our Year 6 productions;
• fund the installation of trim-trails and playground equipment;
• purchase books and furniture;
• build a greenhouse and Anderson shelter;
• provide an allowance to the Garden Club for plants and materials;
• support the teachers with an annual class fund (currently £200 per class) for extras that each teacher may feel will enhance learning for their particular class;
• assisting the before and after school clubs

There are always projects that the PTFA can contribute to which will continually improve the learning environment for our children.

The events we run would not be the success they have been over the years without the help of all the parents, either as an active member of the PTFA (on the committee, as a Helper or Class Rep) or as a cake baker, stall runner or enthusiastic participant – so on behalf of the pupils of John Hampden Primary and Nursery Schools past, present and future, thank you for your continued support.

If you have any questions regarding the PTFA, please contact our Co-chairs Charlene Gardner or Lizzie Diaz through the school office or by email: john.hampden@yahoo.co.uk