Friends 9th May 2006

Minutes of The Milestone School  Friends Association Meeting - May 9^th 2006

Apologies - Mike Williams; Audrey; Dave Morris; Shirley Playdon; Dave Taylor

Present - Phil Apperley; Ian Dance; Rob Watters; Stephen Dinning; Maria Heap; Lyn Dance; Scott English; Mavis Hoyes; Angela Cooke; Pauline Hill; Sue Strange; Ann Stevens; Kay Mason; Patricia Duggan;  Sarah Bell;  Karen Dickerson.

Matters arising -

1. Minutes of last meeting checked and approved for accuracy
2. Phil had received a letter from the school?s business manager about perceived breaches of the Friends Association.  Phil has responded in writing and has received a response by email clarifying the intention behind the letter.  This matter is now closed.
3. Treasurers' report -

Current Account balance as at 9/5/06- £703.30

Interest Account balance as at 9/5/06- £6563.41

Please see attached report for further details.  After deducting allocated monies, we currently have a combined total balance of £5626.71 available.

4. Angela cannot find an appropriate TV/DVD for her PMLD group so is forgoing the previously committed allocation.
5. Ian has found an accountant who will process the Friend?s accounts for approx £80 per year.  Ian and Phil will meet with him to discuss.
6. The ball organised in aid of Mencap and The Milestone School was a great success with Mencap receiving £425 and The Milestone School receiving £848.25.
7. Phil has investigated Gift Aid.  Lyn will investigate Justgiving.com and Missionfish.com - Gift aid can be accessed via these sites
8. The Easter Raffle raised £979.80 [plus the £50 used for the 1^st prize]  Thanks again to Pauline and her helpers.
9. Ian?s Mencap and Milestone Quiz night raised £160 and was enjoyed by everyone.
10. Dave Taylor organised golf day and raised approximately £1,000. It was attended by 98 people
11. Ian Dance is still collecting in sponsorship from the Marathon.  To date the Friends have received £245 sponsorship money , plus £80 [quiz night] and £425 [ ball]  handed over at the meeting.
12. Stephen Dinning has set up a Milestone Friends account with ebay [internet auction site].  Maria, Dave and Stephen will auction items donated to the school ? Stephen has raised £180 already (less some postal costs)
13. The Summer Fete - July 2^nd

·        Lyn to confirm bouncy castle is available from Amberley Ridge

·        Jazz Jive hope to be able to attend

·       

·        Ian to contact Gloucester rugby club re a local celebrity to open the fete

·        The Hatherley Manor Hotel will loan us a BBQ and lawn games

·        Maria and Angela to investigate some unusual vehicles [e.g. stretch limo] to attend as an attraction

·        People needed to set up tables from 10am please

·        Pauline has key to the rugby club field for parking

·        External stalls will be charged £10

14. Future fund raising ideas -
    • Stephen Dinning has contacted local celebrity chef Robert Rees. He will visit school early in July to discuss ideas
    • Rob Waters is organising a Quiz night on May 24^th at 7.30pm in the main school hall.  People to bring their own refreshments
    • If England wins the World Cup Scott and Pat will do a sky dive!! Ian Dance to get details
    • Maria Heap is organising The Milestone School Meander - a sponsored walk and wheels event and picnic at Beechenhurst on September 24^th.
    • Maria is also planning an Autumn dance at the Hatherley Manor Hotel with the band 'The Toffs' playing
    • Milestone School Teddy bear - can have school logo and name on t-shirt.  Cost £1.99 and can sell for £5.  Lyn to ask School Council to name bear and Ian Dance to order them
    • Stephen Dinning is waiting for a response from Stroud and Swindon building society - hoping for £3k for digital cameras
    • The following were also suggested for further investigation - Silent auction;  Quiz sheet; 200 club.  Many thanks to Maria, Stephen and Dave for their work and ideas.
15. Friends will send out a termly newsletter to parents.  Maria Heap, Sarah Bell and Mike Williams to plan it.  It will include free advertising space for local companies that donate prizes etc to us and other advertising space will be sold.
16. Clarkson and Evans are donating 5 digital cameras to the school.  Maria Heap is organising the presentation.

A.O.B.

1.      Thanks to Jayne Woolley for organising the Virgin Vie evening ?-everyone enjoyed it and would like another one please!

2.      The Money Mountain donated £1600 for an interactive whiteboard.  Lyn to ask the IT team to order one

3.      The meeting agreed that the school can order digital cameras up to a total of £3000.  The aim is to provide one for each class - this was 32 but the school anticipate having 34 classes in September now.

4.      The Christmas fete is to be held on November 25^th

Date of next meeting - 6pm June 13th