Friends of Heles meeting – Tuesday 29th September 2015
Present
Julie Felwick (Chair), Yvonne Nicholas (Sec.), Tracy Partridge (Treasurer), Vicky Castle, Susan Rich,
Gordon Smith, Naomi Smith, Suzanne Kiely, Justine Mason, Sandra Crawford, Andrea Ayres, Tom
Graham, Claire Pomfret, Wendy Farnham, Maria Hookway
Apologies – Sue Wallis, Hayley Brockenshire, Mr Clemow, Claire Riley (Treasurer)
1. Chair Introduction
Julie welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked everyone for coming out to support Friends of
Hele’s. She gave a brief introduction to the group:
 Thanked the Senior Leadership Team for attending meeting.
 Main aim is fund-raising, which is slightly different to fund-raising at Primary schools.
 School benefits from the wide range of equipment the Friends have funded both in class and
for extra-curricular clubs and activities.
 Friends provide every new Year 7 pupil with a maths set.
 Profit made last year was £5,012.11.
 Group meets once every half term on a Tuesday to discuss forthcoming events.
2. Secretary Introduction
Yvonne introduced herself to group.
3. Treasurer Introduction
Tracy introduced herself and explained that Treasurer role is in process of being passed to her from
Claire Riley.
4. Other Committee Members Introduction
Vicky introduced herself to the group.
5. Principal
Miss Mason welcomed the new parents to the meeting and advised she will be the school
representative attending the Friends’ meeting this year. She stated that the group were an important
part of the school and all of the time and effort given by parents was appreciated.
6. Head of Year 7 Introduction
Unfortunately Mr Clemow sent his apologies as he was unable to attend.
7. Senior Leadership Team Introductions
Sandra Crawford – Deputy Principal – advised new Year 7s have settled in well and the coffee
morning held at SSB received a good response from parents.
Andrea Ayres – Asst. Principal – advised she was the school representative for the group last year
and reiterated the value placed on the group by the school.
Tom Graham – Asst. Principal – new to school this September.
Claire Pomfret – Deputy Principal
Wendy Farnham – Business Manager
8. Introduction of new members
Susan, Suzanne, Gordon and Naomi introduced themselves and advised which primary schools their
children had previously attended.
9. How Friends raise money and why
Julie advised that there is a breakdown of Friends’ activities on the school website. Main income for
the group comes from uniform sales, Christmas at Hele’s, refreshments and raffles at school
productions, Bag2School and Rotary club collections at Christmas. Bids process was also explained –
each dept. allocated approx. £100 per school year.
10. Questions and fund-raising ideas
Wendy suggested a balloon send off – possibly a virtual one to be kinder to the environment.
Possibility of bag-packing discussed to fund a specific item – e.g. school team kit
Justine advised there is going to be a Year 7 Halloween disco, so group could sell tuck.
Andrea advised that Fashion shows are popular in other schools, so will pass details to Julie.
Communication between Friends, parents and school was discussed – In touch could be better
utilised. A new staff weekly bulletin has been introduced, so any Friends news could be added and
also included in the school newsletter.
Date of Next meeting
Tuesday 20th October 7pm – AGM
Weds 11th November – Christmas at Hele’s
Weds 9th December – Christmas concert