Welcome to STRS PA
The PA exists to raise money, which is passed on to the school in the form of Grants. Each Grant Application is considered by the PA and approved or declined, depending on whether it meets the criteria set out in our Constitution.
Over the last 5 years, the PA has raised over £169,000 which averages £34,000 per year. This money has been spent on a variety of things, including grants for affiliation fees to a range of organisations, such as Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, The Royal Geographical Society, English School’s Rugby Football Union and the British Chess Federation, the running costs of the 2 school mini-buses, subscriptions for magazines for the school library, in 2002 we paid for a new mini-bus (although I should add, that we paid for the old one as well). We have given a significant grant to enable the school to improve its computer provision and purchased 4 x 2 decimal place Balances, which connect to the computers. We have purchased 2 x Techsoft Laser Cutters (Cam A2) for the CADCAM department and we funded the total re-development cost of the sports changing rooms (just over £25,000). In the 2006/07 academic year we funded the cost of additional interactive whiteboards and PC’s (£32,766). We have only managed to achieve all of this with the hard work of the PA and the support of parents.
The Gifting Scheme is our largest fundraiser – if you’re not already part of it and would like to join, please download and print a form, and return the completed form to The Bursar, Sir Thomas Rich's School, Oakleaze, Longlevens, Gloucester, GL2 0LF.
Further details of our achievements can be obtained from the Chairman’s Reports (click for latest) for each academic year.
PA Meetings are held around 6-8 times a year and take place in the school’s Staff Room (directions). They are usually held on a Tuesday evening and start at 7pm. Where possible, we like to finish by 9pm. Dates for meetings can be found on the PA Calendar or can be obtained from the PA Secretary.
The meetings aim to be structured yet informal. We always work to a pre-set Agenda. All parents are very welcome to attend the meetings. It is an ideal opportunity to find out what is happening within the school and to meet other parents. I promise you that we’re a friendly PA.
We run a variety of events throughout the year, to raise funds, including a Christmas Fayre, Car Boot Sales, a bi-annual Autumn Ball, a ticketed Raffle, and a BBQ at Sports Day. We also have a 100 Club and a Gifting Scheme. In addition, we sell Nearly New Uniform and offer parents an easy way to purchase Name Labels and Spring Bulbs, which in turn, earns the PA commission on the purchases. In addition, there is a separate arm of the PA, which organises the Refreshments at many of the school events. If you would like to join the Refreshment Rota, please e-mail either Vivian Austin or Janet Swift.
As you can imagine, we need all the helpers we can get. If you would like to add your name to the list of ‘Willing Helpers’, please e-mail Sali@business-advancement.co.uk When we need help, we simply e-mail everyone on the list and those who can help respond to the e-mail. We do not put pressure on people, or inundate them with e-mails and we certainly won’t pass your details on to any third parties.
For the new academic year 2007/8 we are hoping to facilitate a Car Share Scheme. This is a very new idea, so we’re going to see how it develops.
We hope you will enjoy your association with Sir Thomas Rich’s School. If you have any questions you think I may be able to help you with, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me.
Sali Gray
Chair STRS PA
If you would like more information email info@strs-pa.org.uk