Meet the OSF Committee Members!
Joint Chairs - Jo Stanton and Gemma Sibbald
I'm Jo. I joined the OSF when my son Harry started Reception nearly 3 years ago. The OSF does some fantastic work to give back to the children and for the school, which is what prompted me to become a full committee member. I have really enjoyed getting involved with events, making new friends and having a laugh along the way. I am looking forward to the future events we are planning and a busy year ahead!
I'm Gemma, I joined to help and support fundraising. I have Joseph in year two and Finlay who has left Oldway and is in year 8 at PCSA. We organise events which can be fun for all and rewarding to all those who can help, no matter how big or small, with the children benefiting from the events and funds raised.
E-Mail: osfchair@oldwayschool.co.uk
Secretary – tbc
E-Mail: osfsecretary@oldwayschool.co.uk
Treasurer – Louise Thomas
I'm Louise, the new OSF Treasurer. I've got two children at Oldway - Beth in Year 4 and Evie in Year 1. I've enjoyed helping at some of the past OSF events and organised the last couple of discos.
E-Mail: osftreasurer@oldwayschool.co.uk
Events – Claire Sinclair
Hi I'm Claire, I joined the OSF when my son started reception in 2011. I took a bit of a back seat at first, but over the last couple of years I felt ready to do more. I now organise two of the main annual fundraising events of the calendar and hope to add to those two in the future. I'm hoping little Evie makes it into the school so I could be around for some time!
E-Mail: osfevents@oldwayschool.co.uk
Becoming an OSF member
What does becoming a member mean?
We understand that some people may have concerns about joining the OSF, and we hope that by dispelling a few myths everyone will feel able to get involved in some way.
Do you have to attend all the meetings?
No you don't, you don't actually have to attend any. Whilst all of our members are of course welcome at any of our meetings, there are only a few members who are able to regularly attend. Joining the Fundraisers simply means you will receive regular e-mails or letters, which inform you of upcoming events, any help we are looking for, and how the funds that have been raised are being spent. It also gives you the opportunity to have your say, either through the meetings, or by contacting one of us by e-mail.
Are you expected to help at every event?
Definitely not, we really appreciate any help you are able to offer, and whether it is an hour at one event or a few hours spread throughout the year, it all helps us to provide more events and funding for the school and the children. We also, as working parents ourselves, understand how busy people’s lives are, and know that some members may find they are unable to help one year. We may ask for help, but we never expect it.
Do you have to be a school parent to become a member?
No, the main reason for changing our name from Parent and Teacher Association to Oldway School Fundraisers was to allow fathers, mothers, grandparents and extended family to join us. Do you know someone who would be interested in joining?
How can you help?
It is true that many hands make light work, and the more help we receive the more events we are able to hold. There are so many ways that anyone and everyone can get involved, either by helping us to organise an event, volunteering at the events whenever you can, or even helping us without leaving the house. Last term, a school Mum, secured £1000 in match funding from a bank, and a school Dad used his marketing skills to design our brilliant Christmas Fair poster. These things made a huge difference to our workload, and we are very grateful for their help.
We have also been lucky enough to have a small army of helpers, young and old, who came along to our events and leant a hand setting up, organising, selling, clearing away and everything else in between. We would not have been able to provide the children of Oldway school and their families with any of last year’s events without their help, and we would like to thank them all. I often get feedback from people who have volunteered to say they really enjoyed themselves, there is such a good atmosphere as everyone is there for a common cause.