Welcome to the Friends of Chappel School (FoCS)
We are fortunate enough to have had FoCS since 1973. In its time FoCS has raised thousands of pounds, which have been spent on equipment and resources to enhance our children's education and the schools's facilities. FoCS exists to provide closer links between home and school and it is an excellent way to bring staff, parents and the wider community together to support the school. All parents and members of the school are encouraged to get involved, even if they only have a small amount of time available. All families are automatically members of FoCS when their child joins the school.
Links with Local Buisness
We have over time, developed strong links with the local community and are always well supported by both residents and local businesses, for which we are very grateful. Many of our local business provide donations for raffle prizes, auction items etc. and also take part in our Christmas Fair and the Chappel Village Fete.
The Committee
The committee consists of three officers; Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. There are also Committee Members who support the officers, this group vote on proposed expenditure. There are also Class representatives who provide a link between the individual classes, parents and FoCS. The support from class representatives is vital when it comes to organising our main events. The Committee meets on a regular basis, usually twice per term, with smaller working groups meeting as necessary when we are planning larger events. We generally meet in the evening due to everyone's working committments.
How we raise money
Like most PTAs, the majority of our funds are raised through events that we run. Some of our most popular events are the Duck Race on the River Colne next to The Swan Pub, the Quiz Night at The Thatchers Arms and the Summer Fete and Christmas Fair at the school. we raise money in other ways too. Donations from parents are extremely important. You can donate time, money items for sale, raffle prizes and auction lots or offers of services and skills. We are also signed up to "easy fundraising" which is a shopping website that will give a percentage of the money you spend to the school every time you shop through their site. So far £1047 has been raised over the past few years by using this link.
How we spend the money we raise
Following a fund raising event the money is banked straight away. It is at our FoCS Committee meetings that the decisions on how to spend the money are agreed. Usually Miss Ingram will have a 'wish list' of items that the school would like FoCS to consider funding. Sometimes this will be as a result of the children asking for something, for example play equipment. At other times it will be resources to improve a particular area of the curriculum or school environment. FoCS funds are spent on the extras that are not provided by the schools budget, thus making our children's learning experience so much more fulfilling and exciting. Over the past year some of our FoCS purchases have included an interactive whiteboard £3898; outdoor play equipment £1776; hall sound system £389; Nativity costumes £100; Code Club robots £216 and the whole scholl pantomime £575.
How can I get involved?
It doesn't matter if you can't help on a regular basis, or if you can't come to the meetings. There are always jobs that can be done from home for an hour, or small jobs when arranging and setting up events. we really couldn't achieve what we do without the behind the scenes help that we recieve. If you would like to get more involved you can volunteer to be a committee member or an event volunteer. You can donate raffle prizes or perhaps you have other skills that would be useful. We are just grateful for any offers of help. Just let any of the FoCS committee know what you would like to help with.