FOSTS
What is FOSTS?
FOSTS stands for Friends of St. Thomas School. FOSTS is an integral part of the school community. Its main aim is to raise monies to spend on improving equipment and resources to enhance our children’s education and the facilities in our school in general.
All parents and members of the school community can get involved if they want to, even if they only have a small amount of time available, and all parents are automatically members of the association (FOSTS) when they join our school.
Current chairpersons: Tina Tuner; another parents also needs to be appointed as co-chair
Current secretary: Samantha Ward
Current treasurer: Charlotte Davison
Email contact for FOSTS: fostssecretary@gmail.com
Upcoming fundraising events 2022 - 23
Raffle (autumn term)
Christmas raffle (December)
Easter egg raffle (March)
Spring disco (date to be decided)
Possible Summer fair
How we raise money
As in most schools, the majority of funds are raised through events that we run. Some of the most popular events are family quiz nights, raffles, sponsored sports events, school disco and the Christmas fair. Even during the COVID pandemic, FOSTS managed to raise significant amounts of money with parental support. For example, through the organisation of an online zoom family quiz.
Current financial picture:
Outgoing Treasurer Lindsay Marshall presented the audited accounts for the charity for the period up to 22nd January 2023.
- Bank account opening balance – £TBC
- Bank account closing balance - £6460.00
- Fundraising breakdown:
- 100 Club raised £799.00 (after prizes)
- Christmas Raffle £560.00
- Red, White & Blue Day £172.00
- Gin Night £1147.00
- Summer Raffle £485.00
- Bingo Night £650.00
- Teddy Moore’s Gardening Club vegetable sale £40.00
- Additional donations from individuals and organisations = £300.00
LM confirmed that during 2022 FOSTS had funded: Keyboards for the music department; £1500 for construction materials; £500 towards new benches for the outdoor prayer space; book vouchers for the Superstar awards.
CSB acknowledged that the huge success of Bingo Night was due to Chris and Sally Burt of Simply Classic Bistro donating the catering for the event.
The generosity of all the school’s families was recognised and appreciated by all.
It was agreed that FOSTS would donate £1000 towards the cost of a new running track on the school field.
Money is currently being raised to fund a new Forest Schools area on our school field. We are currently in the process of researching grants to supplement this fund-raising.
Why does the school need this extra money?
FOSTS funds are for the “extras” not provided for by the school budget. FOSTS funds are not generally spent on improving the fabric of the school building, as this is the responsibility of the school governing body. Our constitution commits us to spending money on things that will benefit the children directly. Here are examples of what we have purchased in the past and more recently:
- £1500 on 20 electronic keyboards for use in music lessons
- £1500 on DT construction equipment
- £500 towards the cost of benches to extend our outdoor prayer area
- Rebuilding and improving the polytunnel and gardening areas
- Providing new furniture and books for our improved school library
- Buying a new piano for use in worship, choir and for the children's piano lessons
How can you get involved?
There are lots of ways you can help and support your child through FOSTS.
Helping before or at events, coming to meetings, buying raffle tickets and supporting events to name but a few.
Offering to help before events or at other times during the year is so valuable – it’s a case of “many hands make light work”. It doesn’t matter if you can’t help on a regular basis, or even if you can’t come into school. There are always little jobs that can be done from home if you have half an hour to spare e.g. preparing raffle tickets, wrapping Christmas presents.
There is a FOSTS facebook page which is regularly updated with current news and events.
Most recent FOSTS newsletter
