Role of the Committee

St. Mary’s PTA Committee is made up from the following parents/ teachers.

PRINCIPAL                                    Damian Cullen

CHAIRPERSON                              Bronagh Curran

VICE CHAIRPERSON                      Clare Loughran

TREASURER                                  Una Mc Kenna

SECRETARY                                   Maeve Turbitt

VICE SECRETARY                           Ciara Mc Ginley

COMMITTEE MEMBERS      Ann Patterson, Arlene Boyd, Julie Martin, Claire O’Neill, Sinead Mallon, Dayna Neill, Carmen Hamill, Julie Martin, Sharon Kelly, Mary McCrystal, Suzanna McKenna, Claire MCCann

The committee meet on a regular basis usually once or twice per term, with smaller working groups meeting as necessary when we are planning events.

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Our Annual General Meeting is held at the beginning of the academic year and provides an opportunity for all parents to come along and hear in more detail about the work of the PTA and the events we run, the funds we have raised and how the money has been spent. It also the occasion we elect our new committee members.

 

 

How we raise money

Like most PTAS the majority of our funds are raised through the events we run. Some of the most popular to date have been Halloween Party, Summer Fair and our Quiz night for parents and the community. We always try and respond to the children’s request as it is great to see them having fun at the events. We also welcome any suggestions from parents at meetings.

Our PTA is about much more than simply fundraising. The PTA exists to provide closer links between home and school and it is an excellent way to bring staff, parents, pupils and friends together socially in support of the school, for example our Hot Chocolate & Cookies nights and end of school year mass and teas. Both occasions seen a wonderful turn out of parents, pupils and staff coming together to enhance relationships within our school and the community.

How we spend the money we raise

The decision on how the money raised will be spent is made at our PTA meetings. Usually our Principal Mr Cullen will have a wish list of items that the teachers have discussed and would like the PTA to consider funding or contributing towards.

The PTA funds are spent on the extras not provided for by the schools budget thus helping to make our children’s learning experiences so much more exciting and fulfilling. Ways the PTA has helped do this in the past are the Accelerated Reading programme which has proved a huge success and contributing to the purchase of new computers in each classroom.

Support from PTA-UK

Our PTA is a member of PTA-UK. We pay an annual membership fee which gives us lots of membership benefits including comprehensive insurance cover for all PTA run events. Support and advice on running the PTA plus fundraising ideas and good practice hints and tips

How we get information to you

Information about PTA news, meetings and upcoming events will be available on the school website and on the noticeboard in the school foyer. You can also learn about upcoming events, help required etc. on our Facebook page, St. Mary’s PS Ballygawley Community. If you have any questions or would like more information about the PTA please feel free to come along to our AGM taking place on Wednesday 13^th September at 8pm in the school assembly hall or ask any of the committee members for details.

St. Mary’s PTA hopes to build a strong and welcoming relationship between home, school and our community. We would love it if you could join us in whatever way you can. No matter how big or small a role you feel you can play, it will be welcomed!