secondary school - what PTA events do you like (if any)?

[tatt]

do you find all PTA events a total bore or are there some that actually work? Do you think the PTA should concentrate on events for the children or do you find it useful to meet other parents?

Our school needs to raise a lot of money and needs ideas on the most painless way to extract money.

My dd's secondary school asks for an annual contribution of £10 per year at school. They asked before she even started the school! On the plus side, if you pay all 5 years up front, you get a £10 discount.

Although this was not for the PTA, it goes on all the stuff a PTA might contribute to - such as coach costs etc.

I found this painless.

Meant to add, so far there haven't been any PTA events at the secondary school.

the school already ask for £10 per head per year for sports trips but the PTA want to do some landscaping of the grounds and other things. Would you like to meet other parents or do you prefer to keep well away ?

mums pampering evenings, race night, wine and cheese - or just children's disco? Someone must have been to a PTA event?

Hi tatt

Went to a mums pampering night at my DS1 school last year just before xmas actually! I really enjoyed it (mainly cos I'm nosey!) and even bought some christmas pressies! I had a hand massage and fake spray tan on my face and had my eyebrows done! I even had a chat with some parents!

I cant wait for the next one!

glad you said that, jenum, because I don't think they've done one before and I was wondering about suggesting it. Was it expensive?

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did you win anything, cod, or did you enjoy it anyway

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any more?

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parents are asked if they would like to contribute to the school fund, sugested amount 5 pounds a year, also, they are having an indulgence eve next week, these always seem to go down well, they have a valentines ball for adults, pumpkin fair!, christmas craft fayre in november and a summer fayre.they also do quiz nights.

Ds1 school does a 100 club which seems quite popular.

Sorry Tatt - not been on for a while!

I't wasnt expensive at all (if I remember right!). I can't quite remember what I paid - £7.50 maybe?!

Lots of parents turned up, so must have been quite reasonable!

I know of another school used to do a music quiz every year! Paid £7.50 approx for entry and fish and chip dinner! Could take your own drink, snacks etc. I thought these nights were great (have a bit of a thing for music quizes!) and great fun was had by all!

Wine tasting if you have someone knowledgeable.

Our Michaelmas Fair (Christmas Fair) raises over £2k, I think. Mostly from the fees we charge stallholders? Very high standards for quality rather than cheap stuff usually found at school fairs so has built a reputation over the past 6 years.

We have a Family Fun Day alternate years in the summer where there are stalls at pocket money prices for the kids, a barbecue and various races, bouncy castle etc.

In the other alternate years, it's Summer Ball.

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think a ball might work if it was for the kids. Music quiz evening sounds good too thanks for the ideas

The best fundraiser my old school did (me as a teacher) was a mixed school fundraising eve.
£10 a ticket entry, buffet and wine tasting, tables set up around the main hall like at an awards ceremony - semmi informal, big buffet table and wine at the back. Wine tasting first (served by teaching staff) and done with a compere on the stage - made it humorous and light hearted. Guess the country/year etc quiz with it. Then a cabaret styled bit with school children (to guarantee roping in the children involved parents at least).
Then the buffet part with background jazz piano trio by some talented 6th formers.
Then they had a pledges bit now they were all tipsy followed by an auction of artwork donated done by children, staff and a few local well known artists. Think there was also a decent raffle at the end with local companies giving prizes.
The entertainment, booze, children?s artwork all roped in loads of parents and the whoel evening raised well over £5k. Some of th eartwork went for silly money but school in reasonable area.

Having a mixed event that involves the children gets more parents to attend. It was also "compulsary" for all staff to attend..