Welcome to the PTA

The Cookham Dean School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a registered charity set up to raise much needed funds for the school.  All parents of children at the school automatically become members of the PTA and your input and assistance on fundraising events throughout the year is very much appreciated.

We are proud of the amount of money raised every year through PTA events. We currently put on a number of annual events including the Summer Fete, school discos, a quiz and Christmas Tree sale. 

We welcome all help, whether running events, baking cakes, designing posters, sourcing raffle prizes, or assisting on task force days. 

The current PTA officers are:

• Pippa Jeans, Chair. She became co-chair in 2023 and has one child at the school. 
• Michelle Patiar, Treasurer. She became treasurer in 2022 and has two children at the school.
• Marie Hepworth, Secretary. She became secretary in 2024 and has two children at the school.

Each year group has two class reps, who help to coordinate events and share information.

PTA Meetings:

PTA meetings are usually held once every half term and the date/time will be communicated on this website and via the Class Reps.  The meetings are an opportunity to hear about what funds have been raised to date, what funds have been used to purchase and to discuss/agree the projects the PTA is raising funds for over the coming year. The next PTA meeting of the 2024/2025 academic year will be held on Friday 24th January (2025) at school, starting at 2pm. Everyone welcome!!

PTA Annual General Meeting

The PTA AGM for the 2023/2024 school year was held on Tuesday 22nd October at 7.30pm at The Jolly Farmer. 

Feedback

If you would like to give any feedback on the fundraising events held by the PTA, the projects / items the funds raised are spent on or have any ideas for fundraising activities, please see the PTA Chair or your Class Rep at the school gates, or email pta@cookhamdean.org.

Summer Fete 2024

We held our summer fete on Saturday 29th June 2024. A brilliant time was had by all at the Olympic themed day filled with pocket money stalls, inflatables, zorb racing and finished off with a colour run! Thank you so much to everyone involved, it was an amazing team effort, and raised approximately £9,000!

Money Raised in 2024/2025

Gravity Grand Prix - almost £2,000

PTA stall at Cookham Dean Village Fete - nearly £200

Boundary Walk - £800

Spooks & Sparkles disco - over £500

Cookham Dean Village bonfire night - TBC

Parent Bingo Night - £1000

Christmas Tree sales - TBC

Christmas Tree pick-up party - TBC

Upcoming PTA Events and Activities 2024/2025

Watch this space and check the weekly school newsletter for details of events and activities you and your children can get involved with to help the school and strengthen our school community.

Yr 3/4 Christingle performance - Thursday 5th December at 6pm - PTA will be selling refreshments.

Yr 1/2 Nativity performance - Thursday 12th December at 6pm - PTA will be selling refreshments. 

Reception Nativity performance - Thursday 19th December at 2pm - PTA will be selling refreshments.

New! Amazon Wish Lists!

Amazon Wish Lists have been set up - one for each class, and one for OPAL - to help buy some of the little extras that the teachers would like to have. Thank you so much for anything that you are able to buy, it is very much appreciated. Orders will be delivered direct to school.

Secondhand Uniform

For secondhand uniform orders, please visit:

https://second-hand-uniformcookhamdeanprimary.square.site/

How to raise money for the PTA from the comfort of your home

Give as You Live: It's a free way to raise money for charity when you shop online. Shop at over 4,400 leading stores via the website, Donation Reminder (via Chrome) or app (iPhone and iPad) and you'll raise free funds for Cookham Dean School PTA. 

50:50 Club: Our own private lottery, for just £2.50 a month (£30 for a year) you get a membership number that enters you into a monthly draw. Anyone can join - parents, carers, grandparents, friends (over 16) - the more people that join, the bigger the monthly prize pot and more money raised for the school. The prize money will be 50% of the membership fee taken that month. The remaining 50% goes to the school. Ask in the school office for details or contact Helen Jackson (Yr 1 and Yr 3 parent for the 2024/2025 academic year) via pta@cookhamdean.org. 

CAF Give As You Earn: Many employers are signed up to 'Give as You Earn', otherwise known as payroll giving. Donations are taken before tax, which means the charity gets more of your donation and it costs you less. It also means that charities don't have to claim Gift Aid, so there's less admin for them. Some employers also offer 'matched giving', to match money raised or donated via payroll. Contact your HR department to find out if you can do this. You can give to any organisation recognised as charitable by HMRC. The Parent Teacher Association of The Cookham Dean Church of England (Controlled) Primary School is registered charity number 1014698.

Labelling school uniform and other items: You may have already sorted your labelling requirements for keeping track of school uniform, but if not please consider using one (or both!) of the following two companies as the school PTA receives a commission from each sale. 

Stamptastic: A personalised stamp usable on most fabrics, metal, wood and some plastics with the company's own special black ink. No more sewing or ironing on labels, you can just stamp everything! Order using the code SL69PH. https://stamptastic.co.uk/

Stikins: Multipurpose stick on name labels suitable for all kinds of school items, including school uniform, PE kit and subject equipment. Order using the code 4926. https://www.stikins.co.uk/

Purchases

And what has the school spent the money on? 

Over the past few years, money we have raised has either bought or contributed to:
Classroom iPads
Running track
Gypsy caravan
KS1 sandpit and artificial grass

Musical instruments

Year 6 leaver trips

Redecorating the whole school

Coach transport for trips

New chairs for KS2

Classroom blinds

Maths resources

MUGA (Multi Use Games Area)

Aircon in classrooms

Climbing wall refresh