Date

Tuesday 21st January 2025

Time

7:00pm

Held

The Swan, Kibworth

Present

Julie Punnett (Chair) (JP)

Felicity Lawrence (Secretary) (FL)

Kathryn Henrys (Treasurer) (KH)

Danielle Marks (DM)

Nikki Matthew (NM)

Rebecca Price (RP)

Jola Kostecka (JK)

Catherine Law (CL)

Bhav Mistry (BM)

Chris Ouvry-Johns (COJ)

Jess Clarke (JC)

Apologies 

Amy Messenger

Rachel Atkinson

Review of events

Social media – currently 71 members of the KPA FB group

WhatsApp group reps for most of the classes, five classes still not covered. FL can cover a year 5 class. Appear to be well accepted for sharing KPA details and also allowing quick response to specific questions.

Disco – main issues at last disco were with registers into the event and queues for snacks. Registering outside appears to work better than inside, due to more space and less noise. Need to find a way to make a clearer queueing system. Also recommended to consider options if weather poor. Issues with Tiger club children not being registered due to separate entrance can be resolved with a separate register for those children. This will also prevent delays with register being needed in separate locations.

JP suggested use of silicone wrist bands for children. If given at registration will ensure children get registered. These can be exchanged for snack – this prevents children attempting to get multiple snacks, means more than one table can operate at a time with the snacks to reduce queues and one colour can identify food allergies for increased safety.

Choice of snacks to be streamlined for next disco. Ideally sports cap bottles only to reduce spillage. DJ to be reviewed after next disco as was not enjoyed as much as previously.

Raffle – went excellently. Sales much greater than previous. JP suggested finding donations date earlier due to multiple other fundraising events/dress down days in November.

Colouring competition well received. Feedback from questionnaires collated. Copies given to DM and NM for further review.

Movie night – date for next movie nights agreed as 25th and 27th February. Email sent to school council to see if they would like to select the movie. All movie snack to be vegan for ease of distributing.

General discussion

Parentkind lottery – newly introduced lottery, 60p donation to KPA from each £1 ticket sold. No objections, so JP to sign up.

New logo – JP requested a new round logo to use alongside current KPA logo. NM and DM agreed this would be something the school children would enjoy designing. JP will create a form for entries.

Mobile card machines – agreed that it would be beneficial for the KPA to own card readers for payments. JP to share information with committee to help decide specific machines to purchase.

Information sharing – discussion that there may be benefit from a map of school classrooms to show drop off and collection points for each class when children change years. DM and NM to speak to IT committee who may be able to assist with creating this. Also that dates for parent events such as decorations day may need to be shared earlier. Also sharing information on reward systems used in the school to parents.

New Starters

JP keen to create a subcommittee with the focus on assisting new starters (both children and their parents) with the transition to school life. Suggestion of sharing details of informal meet ups over the summer holidays at the park. Also ensuring a Facebook page is created for all parents of each school year to join to help with information sharing and answering questions. As the current foundation year does not have such a page, BM will create. Also plan for KPA presence at induction evening, with second hand uniform for sale and information of name label companies which will offer the school commission on sales.

Fundraising ideas

Amigo’s magic show – idea well received, but availability of hall unsure due to Tiger club. Unlikely to be able to raise much if only small part of hall available. JP to confirm if stage required as this is only available when set up already for school use.

Break the rules day – school will consider the idea dependant on the suggested rules to be broken. Risk of it being too disruptive to school day.

Krispy Kreme doughnut sales – well liked idea. FL keen to assist with running. COJ may be able to assist with collection of doughnuts.

Spending ideas

Discussion of library improvements – this is likely to be a significant project and will require completion of some structural projects to the building prior to specific library changes. KH and JP keen to explore the use of grants to fund improvements. To assist with options for seeking grants, school to provide specific details of what is wanted.

Audiobooks – information on Voxblock audiobooks shared. PTA reduced price available.

JP keen for a consistent service for provision of second hand uniform to parents. Suggested a fixed structure for creation of a uniform shop. Currently the availability of space is unknown whilst plans for an onsite pre-school are also unknown.

Outdoor classrooms – students and teachers keen for more options to utilise outdoor space for learning and also play. More shade required during the summer. These big projects would again be suitable for grant funding. Ideas to be collected from staff and students as to what is specifically needed, and then grants funding can be applied for by KPA.

Other ideas

Generally discussion on creating a scheme of year group specific experience days, which could be repeated annually so new ideas not continually required. Fundraising events could be held by the children in the year prior to this to cover the costs of the experience.

KPA to explore if volunteers available to run evening events for families and for parents only. JP has reached out to Kibworth Running Club for advice as to whether a fun run could be arranged by the KPA for fundraising.

Summer Fair

Date provided by school – Friday 20th June, after school

As third disco planned for 19th June this to be cancelled, KH to contact DJ.

Due to complexity of planning, separate meeting will be planned. Date TBC

Next meeting Thursday 20th March 2025 at the Swan (the Gin Bar), 7pm. Booking made