Friends of the Mead (FOM) AGM

Friends of The Mead (FOM) – AGM

Thurs 15 September 2016

Minutes

Present: Angela Culley, Ruth Campbell, Kate Corby, Sarah Morley, Lucy Renton, Cleo Callaghan, Samantha Polok, Rose Patterson, Clare Cross, Gemma James, Jane Cobbold, Karen Gillet, Susan Norvill, Ele Dexter, Alice Patience, Cath Newland, Kirsteen Pitt, Kate Davidson, Issy Hunt.

Apologies: Yanouchka Sabbatini, Karen Ritchie, Jenni Sach, Melanie Berry.

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Ruth Campbell welcomed all present at the meeting and read out the (Acting) Chair’s 2015/2016 Report. Sarah Morley confirmed that as at September 15th 2016, the 2015/2016 FOM fund was approximately £13,900. A couple of late invoices had been received earlier in the month which were off-set by funds raised since term started (Friday ice cream stall and second hand uniform sales).

1. ELECTION OF NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS & TRUSTEES:

-All present at the meeting elected the following parents to FOM committee roles for the academic year ahead:

-Vice-Chair: Kate Corby

-Secretary: Lucy Renton

-Treasurer: Sarah Morley

-A Chairperson still needs to be found.

-Ruth Campbell also requested that parents volunteer to be FOM Trustees as current list is now out of date (excluding committee members).

The following volunteered to be named as Friends of The Mead Trustees:

Cath Newland, Gemma James, Susan Norvill, Jane Cobbold

-Class Reps were also agreed as follows:

2. AUTUMN TERM EVENTS:

Friday ice cream sales will continue until the October half term.

Children’s film night/parents social on Friday 14th October: Two films will be shown, in the MFL room (younger children) and Gym (older children). The evening will start at 6:00 pm and it was agreed to set the ticket price at £5 per child, which includes food and drink (though it was noted the Spring event was less busy, maybe due to price). All agreed that the children would be polled on the film choice: Inside Out, Robin Hood, Minions, Despicable Me, Zootropolis.

Wine will be charged at £2.50 per glass, to include nibbles, and a Special Events License will be procured for the evening. It was noted that is not possible to secure a license for the whole year, it must be done on an event basis.

The following volunteered to help out at the evening: Angela Culley (bar), Ruth Campbell (bar), Lucy Renton, Sarah Morley, Kate Corby, Ele Dexter, Rose Patterson, Alice Patience, Nicky Jones, Issy Hunt (pizza).

Own Clothes Day on Friday 18th November, £2 per child.

Winter Fayre on Saturday 26th November. Angela Culley stressed the importance of the class reps involvement in the planning and execution of this, i.e. collating the raffle hampers and manning a stall. It was noted that Y5 will prep a “Family Night In hamper”. Year 3 have also opted for a Great British Bake Off themed hamper for their year. Ruth Campbell will circulate a ParentMail requesting further fayre volunteers and a separate planning meeting will be arranged.

1. SPRING TERM EVENTS:

Own Clothes Day & Valentines Disco on Wednesday 8th February. Lucy Renton suggested a more youthful DJ be found for 2017, following feedback from parents. It was agreed to bring in a dancer as well, to teach the children some dance moves, perhaps an ex-Meadite. Angela Culley/Miss Victoria to make contact. DJ Mike Harrowing suggested.

Easter Bonnet Parade & cake sale on Thursday 23rd March. This is a really successful and fun event for the children and will continue in the same format.

1. SUMMER TERM EVENTS:

Ice Cream sales will continue on Fridays at 3.30 pm.

30yr Mead School Anniversary Ball in May, exact (Saturday) date tbc pending venue availability. It was agreed that a central Tunbridge Wells venue would be most suitable, for example The Spa Hotel, Royal Wells Hotel, Corn Exchange, 1 Warwick Park or High Rocks. Initial discussions are that £60 per ticket is a reasonable price for parents to pay. Jane Cobbold will approach a parent re: forming a sub-committee to plan this event.

Sports Day & Summer Fayre on Saturday 17th June.

1. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

-All agreed there would be no Halloween-themed event on Monday 31st October, in line with the ethos of a Christian school.

-Samantha Polok, on behalf of other parents, asked if the money raised at our events went to the FOM or a separate charity. Angela Culley confirmed FOM.

-Ruth Campbell asked that a parent volunteers to manage the My Child’s Art process (cards/mugs/tea towels etc) as an additional Christmas fundraiser.

-All agreed to Mrs Feaver’s request to continue funding school magazine subscriptions from the FOM pot: Horrible Histories, National Geographic, Aquila and First News.

-The Charity Bike Ride on 25th September is now in its 9th year and Angela Culley requested parent volunteers to man the marshal points and help with the barbeque. Posters advertising the ride will go out in book bags and a ParentMail will be sent requesting the use of a barbeque. The committee briefly discussed purchasing a barbeque for use at fundraising events, though storage remains an issue. To be discussed further.

-Jane Cobbold spoke for all parents in addressing the issue of the dangerous Frant Road crossing. Angela Culley stressed the efforts the school has been going to, to find a lollypop person and mentioned the possibility of the school funding the cost of a zebra crossing. Also, the residential home by the Broadwater Down crossing has been shut down, which should make for a better case for having it moved to outside the school. It was suggested that a social media petition might trigger action from the council. Tim Ross, the husband of Claire Ross, will contact Rebecca Hall in the Office and move forward to canvas the council and/or recruit a lollypop person.

-The date of the next FOM Meeting is Thursday 20th October at 8:40am, in the dining room.

Dates for your Diary:

Ice Cream SaleFridays, 3.30 pm

Childrens’ Film Night & Parents’ SoireeFriday 14 October, 6-8.30 pm

FOM meetingThursday 20 October, 8.40 am

Own Clothes DayFriday 18 November

Winter FayreSaturday 26 November