2014-2015 Friends of Severndale Formerly known as Fact Sheet Chair: Jayne Parry Secretary: Amanda Coull Telephone: 01743 281600 Registered Charity No. 1096455
What is FOS? FOS stands for Friends of Severndale (Academy). FOS(S) became a registered charity in March 2003, with the main object being to advance the education of pupils in the school. It is important to note that the constitution states that membership shall consist of all parents and/or guardians of pupils attending the school and all teachers. In furtherance of this object, the charity may: a Develop more extended relationships between the staff, parents and others associated with the school. b Engage in activities which support the school and advance the education of the pupils attending it. c Provide and assist in the provision of such facilities or items for education at the school (not provided from statutory funds) as the committee in consultation with the governing body shall from time to time determine. FOS has a committee that meets regularly, who are a group of mainly parents, but also school staff and carers and friends interested in supporting Severndale Academy. We organise events to raise funds for much needed additional school resources and projects. We also organise events we hope will be fun and enable parents and carers, grandparents and friends, to meet, get to know each other and share ideas and concerns.
Who s on the FOS committee? Jayne Parry Chair (staff) Nick O Leary Vice Chair (parent, Middle School) Annie Taylor Treasurer (parent, Severndale at Mary Webb) Amanda Coull Secretary (parent, Upper School) Barbara Cave (parent, Upper school) Sue Dowley (staff, Head of Lower School) Brenda Moorcroft (parent, Upper school) Dawn Griffiths (parent, Upper school) Lyn Hough (friend & Chair of Governors) Annette Whitaker (parent, 6 th Form)
What have we done this year? We organise FOS coffee and chat twice each term (on a Friday morning at Severndale). These have become a popular events and are well supported by mums, dads, grandparents, carers, friends and younger siblings come along too. Everyone seems to enjoy them and we rarely come away without learning something new. I miss meeting other mums at the school gate Other parents told us about Services we d never heard of before We re always up for a coffee and a chat We d like more It s great to talk to other parents who understand This is the first time we ve met other parents here It s helpful to hear how other parents have dealt with similar problems We help organise the annual Christmas Fayre with the staff at the school so that children and their families and friends can have a fun time together in a supportive and familiar environment. Santa is always a hot favourite, there s plenty to buy as stocking fillers, refreshments are always available, and we manage to raise some funds for the kitty too.
The same dedicated team run the Summer Fair, which sometimes coincides with the Monkmoor Campus Open Day. This provides a range of information for parents and carers, and activities for the children that include story -telling, face painting, bike rides and of course the barbeque, toy and cake stalls. This year we also had basketball wheelchair and a lovely (PAT) llama, as well as a very popular Mocktails bar. We try and run other (social) events each term to raise funds. We have organised Quiz Nights, Bingo Nights and Pamper Evenings. As well as raising funds, these events give whole families opportunities to get together and socialise. Next year we hope to organise a ceilidh. This year, for the first time, we held a book sale in Shrewsbury Market Square which as well as selling lots of books raised awareness of FOS and the work of Severndale students as the 6 th Form Enterprise also had a stall there. What are FOS funds spent on? Importantly, we allocate funds to support school activities and projects for which mainstream funding is not available. This year we were delighted to support extended school activities by providing funding of 20,000. This enabled the continuation of golf sessions, after school clubs, and Will & Dean s music workshops that were enjoyed by many pupils across the school. We have also contributed to smaller projects such as the purchase of plants for the Lower School s Sensory Garden, garden furniture for Severndale at Mary Webb, and Quest bikes for lower school.
Making a request for FOS funding FOS is prepared to consider funding smaller projects/activities for 2014/ 2015 and welcomes applications throughout the year from across the school. The Funding Application Form and Guidance Notes are attached for all staff. Also available from: Jayne Parry, FOS Chair, or: Pat Birch, Admin Assistant (FOS Administrator) both c/o Severndale Academy, or: Amanda Coull (amanda.coull@live.co.uk), FOS Secretary, as well as the Academy website. We look forward to hearing from you. How can you help? All of you already do, through sending in donations for raffle prizes and to sell on stalls for the events, helping out before during and after events and coming and supporting them. THANK YOU! Helping is fun and a great way to meet new friends. If you want to have your say about what you would like us to do, and how you think monies raised could be spent, we would love to see you at one of the come for coffee and chat mornings or come and join us on the FOS committee you ll be sure of a warm welcome. We look forward to continuing to work with parents and staff to help our children. For more information, please contact: Amanda Coull: email: amanda.coull@live.co.uk Jayne Parry: email: jayne.parry@severndaleschool.co.uk, Tel: 01743 281600