Dear Committee Members,

Now that the Friends events for this term are complete I would to thank each and every one of you for the much valued the support you have given, both to me personally in my first year as Chairman and, to the many  FOTM funding raising events we have held during this period.

Looking back over the past twelve months I cannot help but marvel at the variety of ways in which we have raised money to enhance our children’s enjoyment of Tockington Manor School. This term three events have already raised more than £1200. This stands testament to just how effective a group of parents and staff, having fun and pulling together, can be.

Our most recent event was the Christmas Market which not only served as a fund raising opportunity but also a practical shopping and social occasion too. It was well attended by parents, children and local people too. Our stall holders were so thrilled with both the setting and their returns that we have already received provisional bookings for next year! I would like to thank everyone who helped make this event a resounding success. I would especially like to thank all the committee members who gave so freely of their time and extend my gratitude to OT Mum Sharon Lapworth for booking and co-ordinating the stall holders.

I look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday 18 January at 7.30pm in the Pavilion for the first Friends meeting of the New Year when our fun packed agenda includes the planning of our Spring event and our much anticipated event of the year, the Summer Ball.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Kind regards,

Anita Williamson

FOTM Chairman

A welcome look ahead

Dear Parents and New parents,

I would like to welcome you back from the summer holidays and remind you that as parents of the children attending Tockington Manor School you automatically become Friends of Tockington Manor (FOTM).

We are very fortunate to have an especially active Friends committee made up of volunteer parents and staff who regularly arrange a variety of fund raising events for our enjoyment. These functions range from a family focused bonfire night complete with fast food and children’s disco, to adult only dinners with wine tasting (and wine purchasing guidance from the experts) right through to our Summer Ball.

While each and every gathering makes use of Tockington Manor School's wonderful ambience, we also pride ourselves in the knowledge that not only do we create an opportunity for old friendships to blossom and new friendships to start but, while achieving this, we raise money to provide extra items of great value to our children’s education.

For example,

·        The Adventure Playground,
·         Staging for the hall 
·         Interactive whiteboards
·         Gazebos,
·         Cycles for the Nursery,
·         Multimedia equipment,

to name but a few.

I am happy to announce we have organised the forthcoming events which we hope you will be able to attend;

Friday 7th October 9.00 a.m.

Lower School Harvest Festival in the school hall followed by coffee in the Pavilion

Saturday 15th October Quiz Night 7.00 for 7.30 p.m.

Fish and chips and fun guaranteed (full details to follow shortly)

Friday 4th November Bonfire Night 6.30 for 6.45 pm

An early evening event which includes a huge bonfire on Top Field (above the tennis court area) followed by hot dogs and drinks with a disco in the school hall for the children.

Friday 25 November Christmas Craft Fair 2.00-8.00 p.m.

This will be a fantastic opportunity to make a start on Christmas shopping while supporting the local craft industry which will be trading from a variety of stalls in the school hall. (Free entry)

I do hope you will be able to join us for this very sociable run up to Christmas and  please don’t hesitate to contact me or your class representative if you require further information.

If you think you might like to help us in any way or would like to explore joining the committee I would be delighted to hear from you on 01454 228562 or 07968 508941.

I looking forward to seeing you over the coming weeks,

Yours sincerely,
  
Anita Williamson

Chairman FOTM

From the Chairman of the FOTM

Having jumped in at the deep end, when, as a new parent who knew no-one, I took up the role of Chairman of the Friends of Tockington Manor in November 2010, I am delighted to report our fund raising activities throughout 2010/2011 have been a great success. From the very start it has not ceased to amaze me how effectively the time and effort volunteered by the Friends committee, the staff and the parents regularly produce well thought out and well attended events which, in turn, provide valuable funding for items on the school's wish list. A by product of this team spirit is a developing sense of camaraderie amongst us all from which many a new friendship has blossomed. I am happy to report I have benefited from both. This year the Friends have organised the following:

• October-Quiz night
• November-Bonfire night party
• December-Flower arranging demonstration
• March- Fashion Show
• July- Summer Ball

Each of these events has produced a welcome profit so we will be discussing the allocation of these funds, to provide maximum benefit to the children of Tockington Manor School, at our first committee
meeting of the new academic year. During the year ending 31 May 2011 we spent £13,354 on a variety of items ranging from white boards to netball posts and it is our plan to continue to support the education of our children in this way and make sure we have some fun while we do it.

All that remains for me to say is an enormous thank you to all who have made this past year's fundraising such a success a story. I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to every committee member, along with each and every parent, ex parent and member of staff who helped by attending our events and/or giving their time and their donations to aid our fundraising endeavours. In addition, our service providers deserve our gratitude for keeping their prices keen and making their gifts of auction and raffle prizes so generous. It is also only fitting that I acknowledge those individuals who, having no school connections, have nevertheless been equally generous in the provision of their expertise at no charge to us. I thank you all.

As ever, it always comes down to one or two people to provide the back bone to any ongoing concern and in the case of the Friends of Tockington Manor it has been Richard and Jane Tovey. They have
provided their support at each and every event and attended every committee meeting year in year out since the founding of the Friends of Tockington Manor in 1985. For this invaluable constant I, on
behalf of the Friends of Tockington Manor, sincerely thank you.