PSA

Who are the P.S.A?
The P.S.A is a group of parents, grandparents and staff members who have joined together for the benefit of all the children at Runnymede School.

We currently meet on a monthly basis, during term time, to discuss

  • Ideas for future fundraising
  • The implementation of current planned events
  • Expenditure the school may have requested
  • Seasonal treats for the children (e.g. the Christmas parties)

There are approximately 12 members (including 4 staff members) at present but we are ALWAYS looking for new members, who can provide fresh ideas and renewed energy!

Why do we need a P.S.A to fundraise in a fee paying independent School?
As we are all aware the school fees we pay each year are simply to cover the essentials of running a school i.e. teaching staff, auxiliary staff, books and materials, overheads of the building and the ever increasing heating and insurance costs which are imposed on us each year.
There is little to nothing left to pay for “luxuries “such as whiteboards or playground improvements – items taken for granted in non independent schools.

How Have the P.S.A helped Runnymede?
During recent years the P.S.A have contributed 50% towards the upgrades within the IT suite, this is a 5 year commitment and we are currently in year 3.

We have given contributions to the music department for much needed specialist equipment as well as providing increased sound and vision technology throughout the School.
Each class now has a “wet play” box to ensure our children have a break even on more inclement days.
We have assisted with improvements to the early years playground as well as providing “dry play” equipment for the children to use during break and lunch times.
From a safety point we purchased the bark which is clearly visible around the grounds to help to ensure that no nasty bumps are sustained and most recently purchased the materials to allow the school to build the outdoor stage for our budding actors and actresses and dance troops!!

This list is not exhaustive and hopefully shows that the provision of so called
“luxuries” are actually valuable additions which benefit our children in educational and fun ways. So quite simply we try to ensure that funds are available to assist the School and therefore the children whenever the need arises.

Does the P.S.A provide any treats for the Children?
Each year we invite all the children to a little Christmas party and make sure that Father Christmas remembers to attend to hand out a treat to each child! At Easter each child is presented with a chocolate goody as part of their Easter Bonnet Parade.
We provide medals at sports day and a cool drink for each child.
We hold two fairs each school year – Christmas and summer - and whilst these are in part fundraisers we try to ensure that only applies to the grown up bits! All attractions and games are run with the aim of entertaining the children rather than for profit.
Also during the year if we can assist in the provision of theatre company visits or similar, we will.

How does the P.S.A raise funds?
Well that’s the hard but rewarding part……
We organise different events during the year to raise funds and to provide opportunities for parents to meet on a social basis.
We try to ensure that we cover as wide a spectrum of entertainment as we can to cover as wide an audience as we can.
In the last year we have had an adults only Christmas Dinner Dance; a Family Bingo Night; Summer and Christmas Family Fairs; a ladies lunch.

Its not just financial help the P.S.A need (although that is lovely!!!!!) but we always desperately need your TIME. So much work goes on behind the scenes of every event, wrapping raffle prizes, attaching tickets, setting up stalls, running games to name but a few and we are always short on help.

So please, if you can help by joining the P.S.A or simply offering your services at events then do so.
You really can make a difference