The PTA (Parent Teacher Association) provides a valuable link between parents and teachers, to enrich our school community. The aim of a PTA is to encourage good relations between staff, parents and others associated with the school, to support the school and to advance the education of the pupils in it. The objectives of a PTA are; to organise fund-raising activities, to involve as many people as possible and to make the activities fun!

 

Since the PTA began in Feb 2018, as a parent/carer, you automatically became a member! But the amount you wish to participate is up to you.

 

The core committee, along with other fantastic parent volunteers, plan and run all different events at school, such as: Cake Sales, Discos, Summer/Christmas Fairs, Bag2School Clothing Collections, Welcome Meetings for new parents, Ice Lolly sales in Summer, and more!

 

So far, thanks to the fundraising efforts and support from parents who join in with these activities, they have provided: Year 6 Leaver's Gifts - Town Farm Autograph Book & Keepsake Pen, Tea & Tissues Welcome Pack for new Nursery & Reception Parents, prizes for the Space Week competition and decor, crackers, drinks and a chocolate treat for the Christmas Lunch.  We have also raised money for a variety of charities, for example: Macmillan Cancer Support and Save the Children.

Who we are:

 

Luis Elias - Chairperson of the PTA

This role entails overseeing the PTA, chairing meetings, ensuring a close link is maintained with the school and that the PTA as a registered charity is run in accordance to our set out constitution. I have been a parent at Town Farm school since 2011 with two sons, one is in Year 6 and the other is in Year 1. I decided to join the PTA as I am very keen to support the school and ensure that the children are rewarded for their hard efforts. In addition to the PTA I a member of the Governing Body with the same aims: to ensure that Town Farm is a key member of our community, and a school that we can all be proud of. Outside of school life I work full time at Heathrow Airport.

 

David Orchard-Lisle - Vice Chairperson of the PTA

I have three young children at Town Farm and my wife was previously the Vice-Chair of the PTA so I volunteered to join the PTA because I wanted to have more of an input in the school. My role is to assist Luis with all Chair duties and assume his place in meetings if he is absent. 

 

Claire Gosling - Secretary of the PTA

I am a busy single mum to 3 girls, two of whom attend the school. I work at the school as a Teaching Assistant and I also volunteer with Girl Guiding UK. You're probably thinking 'how on earth does she fit it all in?' (I often wonder this to myself). My reasons are these - we all have one life, and we are responsible for our children's lives up until they are adults. We create them and therefore I believe that we should give them as many opportunities to enjoy things that they might not get a chance to do otherwise. By supporting the school in adding extra-curricular activities, or by assisting in raising funds for items that will benefit many of the schoolchildren and to see happy smiley faces appreciating you for taking your own time out to do things for them, is one of the most heart-warming things you can do.

 

Sachi Ellis-Braithwaite – Treasurer for the PTA
I have been a parent at Town Farm school since 2020 and decided to join the PTA because I genuinely loved seeing the focus on creating fun environments and happy memories for all school children through events and additional funding made possible by the PTA. As Treasurer I am mainly responsible for handling the funds raised at events, making arrangements for counting of money at events, and producing the annual financial report for the charity. Other responsibilities in role include liaising with the bank, holding the charity cheque  book, paying agreed expenses required, enabling contactless payments, arranging for cash floats at events, and general support with events organisation.  

 

 

What can you do to help?

Volunteering is a great way to escape from everyday chores, helps you get out and be social and gives us adults a chance to do things we may have never thought we could do. The sense of achievement that comes from that is amazing!

We know how busy lives get, but just offering an hour of your time can make a huge difference to the children in the school.

You can help by:

- Attending our meetings (look out for dates in the Newsletter and on our Facebook page).

- Help run an event. This may involve coming up with new ideas, offering to complete some tasks from home, supporting us to set up/pack away events, sourcing raffle prizes or free donations from local companies - there are many aspects that you may be able to contribute to.

- Ask your workplace about Matched Funding to help us maximise fundraising amounts.

- Keep up to date by following our Facebook Page, reading the banners/signs by all of the school entrances, or regularly reading the Newsletter.

- If you would like to become more involved, please contact us at pta@town-farm.surrey.sch.uk