INTRODUCTION
A very warm welcome to Stamfordham Primary School. We hope your time here will be a rewarding experience for both you and your child.

This section of the website has been written by 'The Friends of Stamfordham School' to welcome you to our school community. We realise it can be daunting and a little nerve-racking joining a school, and there always seems to be so many questions to ask. Please ask them!

HOW WE GET INFORMATION to YOU
We contribute as necessary to the weekly school Newsletter, and we send out letters for specific events, dates and requests for assistance when we are planning larger events. Following a 'Friends' event, we will always let you know how much was raised, and if we can, what the money will be spent on.

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED
There are lots of ways you can help and support your child through 'Friends'. Offering to help before events, or at other times during the year, is so valuable ... it really is 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 to school. There are always little jobs that can be done from home if you have half an hour to spare, e.g. wrapping gifts, preparing raffle tickets etc. We really couldn't achieve what we do without the unseen 'army of help' that exists in school. You can, of course, if you feel able, volunteer to be a Committee member. You can help by letting us know if you have any contacts or skills we could use ... everything is potentially valuable to us. 

If you think you could help, please email fsps@mail.com
 

Why do we have a 'Friends' Committee?
We are very fortunate at our school to have 'Friends'. They have been an integral part of the school community for many years. In its time, the 'Friends' have raised thousands of pounds, which have been spent on improving equipment and resources to enhance our children's education and the facilities in school. But our 'Friends' committee is about much, much more than just fundraising. The 'Friends' exists to provide closer links between home and school, and it is an excellent way to bring staff, parents and friends together socially in support of the school, working towards a common goal. It is fun too – just ask any of the 'Friends' committee members and helpers. 

All parents and members of the school community can become involved if they want to, even if they only have a small amount of time available, and all parents are automatically members of the 'Friends of Stamfordham Primary School' when their children join the school.
The 'Friends' are extremely conscious of the ethos and morals of our school, and we try very hard when organising and planning events to respect this.

LINKS WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
We have, over time, developed strong links with the local community and are always well-supported by both residents and businesses, for which we are very grateful. Many of our local shops, restaurants and businesses are very generous in their donations of raffle prizes etc, and some have taken part in our Christmas and Summer Fairs. This has had a huge impact on our fundraising.

HOW WE RAISE MONEY
Like most 'Friends', the majority of our funds are raised through the events we run. Some of our most popular events are 'Break the Rules Day, Halloween events, end of term parties, our cake stalls and children’s' discos. We have also produced Christmas cards with work from the children. 

So you can see there are lots of things going on. We always try and respond to the children's request for events, and it is truly the icing on the cake to see them having fun at the events or enjoying using a piece of new equipment that the 'Friends' have funded.

We are fortunate, however, to have had other opportunities open to us to raise money. Donations are extremely important. These can be time, money, items for sale, donations for raffles or offers of services and skills.

 

GIFT AID

Friends is registered for Gift Aid.

ROLES OF THE COMMITTEE
Our 'Friends Committee' consists of 3 main officers, Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. We also have between 4 and 10 ordinary committee members to make up a full committee. The Committee meets on a regular basis, usually once or twice per half-term, with smaller working groups meeting as necessary to organise larger, more complicated events. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this information. We hope you now know a little more about your 'Friends Committee'. On behalf of all the children, we would like to thank you for your very valuable support, which enriches their learning experiences and makes their time at school so enjoyable. And on behalf of the 'Friends' themselves for the social events and the new friends made.

From 'The Friends'