THE KENTS HILL INFANT ACADEMY
Minutes of Parent/Carer Association Meeting
Date:
Friday 16th September, 2011 at 9:00 am
Present:
Shirley Tait, Headteacher
Gemma Clifford-Eastwood
Debbie Galton
Pat Townley
Helen Chaplin
Mandy Wetheridge
Michelle Parker
Angela Witham-Gardiner
Sarah-Jane Bush
Lindsay Hunt
Kim Gartside
Ruth Eason
Kay Dorili
Carla Willsmer
Tracy Gladman – Chair
Sally Sweetland
Michelle Durant
Kate Murphy
Apologies received from:
Lianne Jones
Abby Llewellyn
Tanja Collins
Melanie Graham
Manju Khunti
Kelly Ross-Howard
Lindsey Gray
Emma Webb
Vicky Butler

Shirley commented on what a good job Tracy does at chairing the PTA but asked if anyone else would like a
turn. Tracy commented that she was happy to carry on this year and her re-election was unanimously agreed,
as was the re-election of deputy chair which will once again be shared by Michelle and Mandy.

Last year’s fund raising events:
Shirley commented that all of last year’s events went really well and were very well supported.
o
o
o
o
o
Sports Day
The Sports Day refreshments run by Kelly Ross Howard and helpers were very well run, thanks to
everyone who was extremely generous with their donations of cakes etc. £320 was raised –
fantastic.
Indian Meals
Two Indian meals were organised, one at the Maharaja and the other at the Tandoori Parlour.
Thanks to Clare Carroll who managed to negotiate a really good deal to keep the ticket prices down
and to everyone who was very generous with raffle prizes. These nights raised £426 and £420 and
all of the money raised will go to the benefit of the children.
The school intends to build canopies for the EYFS children from school premise funds, but monies
raised by Parent/Carer Association will provide a good range of outside equipment for all year
groups.
Quiz Night
Thanks to Andy, Sarah-Jane and her mum, Lynne, for organising an excellent quiz night, this raised
£611. The food and drink samples were very well received. Also, thanks again to Andy who did
some fund raising of his own and raised a staggering extra £2,150 in donations.
Children’s Discos
The children’s discos were also thoroughly enjoyed by the children and thanks go to James Brown
who did an excellent job as DJ/Children’s Entertainer. £516 was raised.

The Christmas Bazaar, which includes the Christmas grotto, is the main fundraising event for the Infants,
Shirley to find whereabouts of Lindsay and Tracy’s chocolate tombola invention.

The newsletter produced last year for the Infants P/CA went home in all children’s bags last term and it was
given to the new EYFS parents/carers this term. It was agreed to reproduce another later on in the year.

It was suggested that we look into different menus instead of an Indian night. Suggestions were Chinese,
Thai, and Tapas - a survey to be sent out later on in the year to see what alternatives people fancy. The
requirements are for a Thursday evening buffet for about 70 - 90 people in early February and that we are
able to take our own raffle. Kate to check out Mr Yings in Rayleigh, Tracy to find out about Bread & Cheese,
Sarah-Jane to call Affinity, Mandy the Tandoori and Kay to phone Marco’s for Tapas.

There had been a suggestion of refreshments being sold at the Open Afternoon. However, we were already
struggling for helpers with the book club. Wait until next year to see how much help will be available.

Mandy suggested to have second hand uniform stall, especially for summer dresses as always difficult to
obtain unless bought April/May time. Also to explore whether uniform company being set up by a friend may
be able to supply summer dresses. Mandy to investigate and hopefully supply sample.

Thursday 13th October 7:00 pm is the Festive night. This will have a variety of stalls which can be set up
from 6 pm. It was agreed to charge £10 a stall as per last year. Sarah suggested that stalls also give a
donation towards the raffle. Tracy to draft ‘expression of interest letter’. Lindsay agreed to design and
produce approximately 100 tickets and it was agreed to charge £3, as per last year, which would include a
free glass of wine. Debbie to get wine and nibbles, however, NO nuts. Shirley to draft letter to parents.
Debbie suggested Mr Brown’s Sweet Shop who now makes up bags for £1.
Mandy/Angie/Sarah-Jane/Tracy/Helen/ Debbie to process replies. Helen/Michelle to do raffle. Help is
needed from 5pm to help put out tables/chairs etc. Kim/Tracy/Mandy offered to help do this, Sally to help
from approx. 6pm. Help is also needed to put clear up afterwards - Sarah-Jane/Debbie/Kay offered to help
do this. Sarah-Jane/Mandy/ Kate and Ruth offered to help serve wine.
Tracy and Shirley to produce plan of stalls and Shirley to complete the Health and Safety Risk Assessment.

Rainbow stall
It was brought up that we were short on donations for this last year, especially for men’s presents, letter to
be sent out to parents/carers by the end of October.

Melanie Graham and Lindsey Gray to organise pamper evening in March.

Tracy showed us flyer for easyfundraising.org.uk, explaining how easy this was to use, going through website
address and then clicking on whatever shop to receive discount with every purchase for our school. Tracy to
send out to parents/carers asap with an easy explanation so people can use in line with their Christmas
shopping. Tracy also to see about putting this on Infant website.

Any other business:

Kate suggested tea/cakes afternoon to enable new parents to meet other parents. Shirley to put out letter
during the EYFS workshops next Friday to see what time mum’s would prefer this to happen.

Michelle /Tracy to ask at EYFS workshops next Friday to see if anyone else would like to join the P/CA.
They will stress that attending meetings will not result in them being pressurized into volunteering the whole
time.
Next meeting – Friday 4th November at 9.00am