Friends of Medstead School - F.O.M.S

Friends of Medstead School (FOMS) is committed to the organisation of events that are fun, enhance community spirit and provide social entertainment for the children and parents alike.  FOMS raises money for the benefit of all the children at Medstead Primary School, to complement their education and to give facilities over and above those provided by the Local Education Authority.

What has FOMS achieved in the last year?

In the summer, 2011, FOMS handed over a cheque to the school for £20,000. This money contributed to the furnishing of the Community and Learning Room and the provision of the covered walkway between the hall and this room. It also provided the funds for the new cycle storage facilities at the entrance of the community room.

A further £3,000.was donated to the school in January 2012 to provide further books to the non fiction section of the library.

The Puffin Book Sales have also provided the school with £484 to spend on books so far this year.

Just a few of the events organised over the past year to raise these funds;

• Quiz night for parents

• Be-a-Brick Campaign (on-going)

• Easter Egg raffle

• Discos for the children

• Fruit and cake sales

• Childrens Fashion Show

• 2nd hand uniform sales

• The Giving Machine

• Penguin Books and Scolastic Book Fayres

• Childrens Christmas Cards

• Royal wedding craft afternoon

• Secret Santa for the children

• Summer Fete

• Christmas Fayre

• Bags2School

How does FOMS Work?

Over the last few years FOMS has tried to continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of the children and school in terms of funding.  This has meant trying to develop our fundraising activities to appeal to an ever broader group of parents.  It has also meant trying to step up the amounts raised to provide the school – and our children – with the tools they need to get a rounded, modern and enjoyable education. 

The important thing to remember, whatever contribution you feel able to make, is that everything we do is for the direct benefit of ALL of our children.  We ensure that whatever we spend money on, there is a direct link to pupils’ standards, confidence and enjoyment in their time spent at Medstead Primary. So if you think you can play a role, or run a specific project or event, or even just turn up to events where you have not done so to date – or perhaps have lapsed – then PLEASE do.  We need all of your help for all of our children.

How do we raise money?

We work in two ways – firstly we try to weave FOMS into major School and Village events to ensure we remain relevant and visible.  Secondly we organise standalone events designed to raise funds.  These events are intended to have a broad appeal to children, parents, family and friends and include discos for adults and children, Christmas Fayre, Quiz Evenings, School and Village Fetes, dinner-dances, etc.

We don’t have a monopoly on good ideas though. If you have something you think would work, or are keen to get involved in, or would like to just make a comment, then please contact us.  We are keen to step up our programme of events to meet the needs of the school as it adapts to the current education challenges of the State School System.

Finally it is worth noting that as a Charity we are able to claim Gift Aid on some donations.  Gift Aid, for those not aware, relates to personal donations and enables us to claim back the portion of tax paid (f you are a tax payer of course).  Contact the Treasurer for more details.

How do we decide how the money is spent?

Parents and teachers discuss necessary and desirable items or projects which will benefit the children.  They can be either short or long term goals.  All parents are invited to have a say on how the money raised is spent. 

Past recent examples of FOMS-funded spending are:

• Reception Playground refurbishment including playhouse, sandpit, toys

• Library area refurbishment

• Items for wet-playtimes in classrooms

• Digital cameras for each classroom

• New playground markings needed for sports education & entertainment at break-times

• Currently funds being raised to pay for new Wooden play structure in Main Playground

It does not end there though.  We have more to do and we would love to hear any suggestions you might have on what would help the children achieve their potential at MedsteadPrimary School.

F.O.M.S. can be contacted at medsteadfoms@hotmail.co.uk