September 2011 AGM - Welwyn St. Mary's School

WELWYN ST MARY’S SCHOOL FUND – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGWEDNESDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2011 – 7.30PMPresent:Caroline Spencer, Rose Maltby, Gina Day, Roma Rambaran, Sharon Jansen, SarahEllingworth, Erica Evans, Liz Mullins, Janine Kess, Gerry & Simon Watts, Sheila Anstey,Amanda Smith, Isabelle Fautrero-Sayer, Julia Hutchinson, Wilma Castillo, Amber Prenga,Faye Collins, Delene Miller, Donna Clarke, Amanda Oliver, Clare Nasmyth-Mille, BenAshman, Julie Noakes, Brian Thompsett, Helen Roubickova, Mary Westley, Kathryn Alford,Ana Dias & Jane Coates.1. WelcomeBrian welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for attending the joint School Fund,PTFA and Parent Council AGM.2. ApologiesReceived from Hilary Roberts.3. Minutes of the last AGMNo objections arose from last year’s minutes. They were, therefore, formally adopted as a correctrecord of the meeting.4. Chair’s ReportBrian reported that the School Fund has been a registered charity since 2005. It’s prime purpose isto buy additional resources to enhance the educational experience of St Mary’s children.As a registered charity, the School fund can claim Gift Aid. Gift Aid accounts for around 25% of ourcurrent total income and so it is important that everyone who makes a donation, and is eligible,completes the Gift Aid section of the form.At the beginning of September 2011, 22 families are donating regularly and another 8 had made oneoff donations through the year.One of the reasons the School Fund was set up was to provide an alternative way in which parents(and others) could contribute to the school if they were unable to play an active role in the PTFA.However, there are people who are very active within the PTFA who still make regular monthlydonations with the School Fund. Brian thanked these members, and everyone else who contributesto the School Fund.The School Fund has purchased a wide range of equipment to the school since its inception in 2005.In 2010/11, the Fund paid for new classroom computers and in 2011/12 the Fund agreed tocontribute £5,000 for exciting new maths resources. Brian assured the AGM that the trustees wouldcontinue to spend the money raised from the School Fund responsibly.

5. Treasurers ReportSarah reported that as at 31 March 2011, the balance of the school fund was £2474.00. This figurewas the result of a carried forward balance of £939.71; an income of £3,392; and expenditure (oncomputers) of £1857.It was noted that since the last meeting of the School Fund in early September, 3 new families hadsigned up to the School Fund taking the total to 25. There had also been 10 one-off donationsalready this year. Many of these were previous Year 6 parents who had kindly donated to mark theirson or daughter’s departure.The fund has raised £25,000 since it was set up in 2005.6. Committee Nominations and ElectionsSarah Dickinson and Clare Westwater had stood down as Secretary and Treasurer of the School Fundas their children were now in secondary school. Brian expressed his sincere thanks for all their hardwork for the School Fund. He also thanked Vanessa Leung for her contribution: she had also stooddown this year.It was noted that it is a statutory requirement to elect the officers for the School Fund. BrianThompsett was proposed and seconded as Chair. Sarah Ellingworth was proposed and seconded asTreasurer. Kathryn Alford was proposed as seconded as Secretary. Hilary Roberts was proposed andseconded as a new Trustee. Mary Westley continues as a Trustee in her capacity as Headteacher.7. AOBIt was suggested that School Fund correspondence should emphasise that contributions can be small– if every parent made a contribution of just £1 a month this would make a significant difference.8. Next meetingThe next AGM would be in September 2012. It would again be held jointly with the PTFA and theSchool Parent Council.The next School Fund Trustee meeting is scheduled for Monday 14 November 2011, 8.50am.