PTA

At Great Bowden Academy we have a wonderful Parent Teacher Association (PTA) which is incredibly active in organising community events, activities and raising money for our school. They run fun events throughout the year for the children to enjoy such as discos, ‘movie nights’, Santa’s grottos, Easter bonnet parades and much more. These activities are not only fun, but they also raise additional funds for our school, that allow for the ‘extras’ which enhance and contribute to the learning experiences of our pupils. These include funding new play equipment, additional books for reading corners, contributing to the experiences our children have, as well as many other items for use by the children.

Year-round events include raffles, quizzes, planting days, fun runs and much more. Everyone is welcome to join. Any help, no matter how big or small, is really appreciated. We have a calendar of coming events which you can help in many ways.

If you would like to help volunteer your time, skill, trade or donate, please contact us via the office or email the PTA on gba.pta@gmail.com

GBA PTA is a registered charity.

Message from your PTA Team

What a start to another year! We are still in the first half term of the year but we have had a busy time already with a planning session earlier in the month, minutes of the meeting included at the bottom of this page. Plus forming a new team with Anna Bowes putting her hand up for the Secretary role, taking over from Caroline McCartney as she takes up the Treasurer role from Cathy. We have had great success at BowdenFest in September with an amazing raffle and cake stall, loads of fabulous orders through our Cauliflower Cards Christmas project and a pre-loved uniform sale. Thank you all for helping out and showing support.

A huge thank you to Emily Beach for her fabulous year as PTA Chair. Last year we had a jammed packed year of fun events, amazing fundraising totals and new roles and teams formed. We are incredibly grateful to her for all her hard work over the past year – thank you.

That now leaves us the job of finding Emily’s replacement as new PTA Chair. It’s a really rewarding role where you get a closer relationship with parents, carers as well as with the school. It’s a great way to help support our lovely small school. So mums, dads, carers, grandparents – please consider outing your name forward to be PTA Chair. Much of the planning work is now out of the way so it is now a guiding and advising role to undertake for the coming year. Interested? Please email gba.pta@gmail.com to express your interest. A full rundown of the role can be found at the bottom of this page.

There are also lots of other opportunities and ways you can volunteer. You could be part of the Funds Committee, become a Class Rep or volunteer to plan or help out at one of our planned events. If you interested in joining in another role, please see the Event Calendar to see events you might be interested in, or the role spec for the Funds Committee or Class Rep below. Simply email gba.pta@gmail.com to express your interest.

Fundraising so far

Thank you for all your wonderful creations and orders in the ‘Christmas Design Project’ run by Cauliflower Cards, again this year. Although it does feel early to be talking about Christmas, it was another success. With all orders in and artwork with the printers ready to be delivered in early December we are happy to share we made £176.

That, combined with £579 made on the BowdenFest cake and raffle stall, and £58 at the uniform sale, it takes our grand fundraising total to £814 this year already! At this rate, we may see us sma last years £5,500 total!

Next Stop… Spooky Disco, Santas Grotto, Quiz Night and more

We’re already looking ahead to our next events. Please get in touch if you are able to help put on our next couple of events including the Spooky Disco. This is always a favourite with the children so if people is able to step in and help organise this that would be great.

Or perhaps you fancy talking on a quiz night? Putting on a fun night for other parents and have a giggle at the same time? Without your help these events just can’t happen, so the more help the better. Please email gba.pta@gmail.com to express your interest in helping. Thank you as always for your help and love for our small village school.

Want to be part of the team?

PTA Chair Job Advert We are currently looking for a Chair Person. Are you keen to support the school and the PTA, but not available to attend or volunteer at events? Are you organised and motivated to help raise money for the school? If so, these could be the roles for you.

We also have positions as Class Reps or on the Fund Committee. Plesae get in touch if you are interested.

A full handover with the current incumbents to help with a smooth transition handover. Full job details below.

Upcoming events...

👻 Spooky Disco - Thursday 26th October - extra volunteers required

🎱 Bingo - Date TBC - planning team and volunteers required

🎅 Santa's Grotto - December date TBC - extra volunteers required

📝 Quiz Night - February date TBC - planning team and volunteers required

🎂 Valentines Cake Sale - February 14th - volunteers required

🕺 Spring Disco - Thurs 11th April - planning team and volunteers required

🐰 Easter Bonnet Parade - 21st March - planning team and volunteers required

🎬 Movie night (TBC) - Thurs 23rd May - planning team and volunteers required

Can you help? Email us at gba.pta@gmail.com

Last Year's events...

Raffle and Cake Stall at the 'BowdenFest' village fete

What an amazing afternoon BowdenFest was, organised by the wonderful Great Bowden Events. Thank you if you managed to stop by our cake and raffle stall. We raised an incredible £579!

Thank you Weltons Deli, Bowden Stores, Cheese and Pickle Deli, Optimum You Yoga and Wellness, Marina B Designs, Harborough Leisure Centre and thank you to Great Bowden Events for having us.

PTA Fun Run

A minion next to a Fun Run banner outside Great Bowden Academy This year the joint 2k run with Ridgeway and Great Bowden Academy started and finished at Great Bowden Academy. The route took in both schools by heading round the fields and footpaths to round the village, up to Ridgeway school and back to GBA. We also ran the ‘little legs race’ on the field for those that couldn’t make it round the 2k course. The day included a refreshment stall, the popular BBQ, a raffle and a visit from the icecream van. Thanks as always to those who helped make this event happen (the biggest event we hold) and to all those who entered.

Pupils getting ready to run the fun run Parents manning the BBQ

Easter Bonnet Parade with Cake Sale

The Easter Bonnet Parade is a new tradition here at GBA and it's already a winner. This year the children out did themselves in their creativity with their fabulous bonnets. Parents, family and carers came to watch the parade and got to meet our special guest - the Easter Bunny! A huge thank you to Suzi Simpkin for her generosity in providing the indregients and her time to bake the most stunning cakes. Funds raised from the sale of these cakes was a massive £343 - thank you.

Spring Disco

The PTA discos are always a sure fire hit! The children love them and they are supported so well. Thanks to everyone who came along, and all the volunteers. We raised a fantastic £250.

Quiz Night

A fabulous night. Thanks to all who could attend. It was loads of fun, plus we raised over £1,000 - a huge thank you as always for your support.

Santa's Grotto

The library was transformed into a Winter Wonderland grotto where pupils met with Father Christmas and his Elf Helper 'Fiver'. Father Christmas read each class the story 'The Night Before Christmas' before meeting each child and giving them each a small gift. A magical experience for all.