Friends of Bitteswell School (FOBS) is St Mary’s PTA and is made up of staff and parents from across the school. The focus over the last couple of years has been fundraising to raise approximately £15,000 to refurbish our school library.  This was completed in June 2023.  A huge achievement for FOBS and greatly appreciated by the staff and children.   

FOBS is a charitable organisation (Reg No 1074749), and our aim is to provide additional resource to further the educational environment and opportunities of the children attending the school.

We hold monthly meetings in term time and we’re always looking for new members to join us. We’re a very friendly group and really enjoy welcoming new members to help us come up with ideas for future events and exciting ways of raising money. All parents and teachers can get involved even if they only have a small amount of time available.

WHAT DOES FOBS DO?

• raise funds to help the school provide “extras” for the pupils
• runs social events for parents and children
• provides support for major projects that the school could not otherwise fund
• provides funding and support for school trips and outings and other special events
• provides funds for extra-curricular activities such as sport and music.

HOW DO WE RAISE FUNDS?

We raise funds by holding a variety of events throughout the school year. These have varied from year to year and have included:

• Summer and Christmas Fairs, including a variety of stalls together with cake sales, craft activities, tombola, etc
• 200 Club – monthly contribution received from parents which goes into a monthly draw of 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes
• Children’s Discos
• Seasonal tombolas and cake sales
• Quizzes
• Barn Dance

HOW HAVE THE FUNDS BEEN SPENT?

The funds we raise have been spent on a variety of projects throughout the years; some major investments such as the library refurbishment in 2023, the purchase of the outside classroom and the new play equipment, installed in April 2018. Funds have also been used to provide outdoor musical instruments, cameras, indoor and outdoor sports equipment, school residential trips and children’s workshops. Going forward, we are now deciding on our next major project, as well as looking to support smaller activities to enhance all of the children’s time at St Mary’s.

HOW CAN YOU JOIN OR JUST HELP?

FOBS are always pleased to welcome new members regardless of the amount of time they can offer. Please contact the school office, an existing member of FOBS or email us at FOBS.SMB@ipat.uk if you think you can help.

We also have a Facebook group, which we would encourage all school parents to join, to find out about our forthcoming activities and how the money we raise is being spent. Just search in groups for ‘Friends of Bitteswell School’, and if you are school parent, you will be accepted into the group.

Please support us by joining the 200 club, and give yourself the chance to win up to £100 each month. Just ask at the office for a dorm and return it to them or to a member of FOBS. If you complete a Gift Aid form too, we can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give from the government!