Welcome to the long overdue PTA Newsletter. There'll be lots of news about what we've been up to this year and a few requests before our return to school in September, so grab a cuppa and sit down for a read.

Before we start, can we wish Year 6 lots of luck at their new schools - we hope you all enjoy your new adventure at secondary school.

This school year has been a phenomenal year for fundraising. As always, you have all been generous of your time and money. The events put on this year raised an incredible £10,200! Here's a quick reminder of the fun we've had:

- Christmas Fair

- Pantomime

- George's Marvellous Medicine theatre trip

- Discos

- Movie Nights

- Fab Fridays

- the awesome Summer Fair (more details below)

Astounding work everyone... A huge thank you to all parents and carers who supported and helped at our fundraising events. Without you, there would be no PTA and no extra funds for our kids to enjoy those little extras that the education budget does not cover. Also, a big shout out to the school staff, who give their time up to help and allow us to take over their Classrooms and transform them into Secrets Rooms and Toy Stalls. Big thanks to Mr Sterry, the caretaker, who is always on hand to help out at events.

While we're on the subject, let's look at a few of the wonderful things your generosity enabled the school the purchase this year:

- Forest school training for Miss Martin and Mrs Turner

- New school website, to be launched soon

- Health Week activities including Archery, the Life Bus and Yoga Bugs

- Book corners for each classroom

- New school cameras

- Gold and Silver stars

- Costs towards decoration and carpeting of classrooms and corridors

- Ice pops after school on the hottest day

We hope you'll agree, it has been a busy and successful year of fundraising, resulting in some great new additions to the school's resources.

This year's Summer Fair was another resounding triumph. We followed the same template as last year - huge inflatables, BBQ, bar, stalls and sunshine - and you came in your droves. It was such a wonderful, smiley afternoon and we raised an unprecedented £3500. Below are a few highlights of the event. Huge thanks to everyone who participated.

I know no-one wants to think about September when we've got a long Summer holidays stretching out in front of us, but to ensure next year is as successful as this year (or preferably, even better) we need to ask a few things of you...

The ever popular Christmas Fair will be on Saturday 2nd December this year. We will have the usual fabulous array of stalls, activities, delicious things to eat and drink and, of course, a visit from the Big Man himself... In years gone by, we - the PTA - return to school in September and realise, with horror, that Christmas is looming and turn into deranged, headless chickens!

To avoid this, we would like to ask you to bear us in mind over the Summer, when you're out and about, and ask for Raffle donations from theme parks, restaurants, gyms, golf clubs, nail bars and anywhere else you are that may be generous enough to donate something. As thanks, the company donating with get a mention in our glossy programme.

If you're having a clear out at home, bear in mind also that we'll be needing donations of unwanted gifts for the Secrets Room at the Christmas Fair - a firm favourite with the children, where they can choose a (new, unused) gift for a loved one and gift wrap it in secret. Same goes for toys for the Toy Stall (used, good condition) or Toy Tombola (new).

The Hall will be filled with fabulous stalls, so you can do all your Christmas shopping under one roof. If you would like to have a stall at the Fair this year, email kestonprimarypta@gmail.com and we'll send you a form.

Last year we launched a new fundraiser, selling the gorgeous Organised Mum diaries and calendars. We are doing this again this year - thanks to all of you who have ordered your diaries and calendars already - and if you would still like to order, please email kestonprimarypta@gmail.com. You can view the products at www.organisedmum.co.uk and once I have received £100 worth of orders, I will process the order and your items will arrive by early next term. Thank you for supporting this fundraiser.

The PTA has secured a block of reduced rate tickets for this year's Panto at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, starring Jessie Wallace) on Wednesday 20th December (the last day of term) at 1.30pm. Tickets would normally be £33-£36 and we are selling them for just £20. We have rows B, C, D and E booked, so really great seats!

To book tickets, email kestonprimarypta@gmail.com. Many have already been reserved so get in quickly to avoid disappointment.

As the tickets were booked when we thought the children were breaking up the day before, Mrs Evison has kindly said that anyone with Panto tickets can leave school at 12.30pm instead of 1.30pm on the day of the performance.

The PTA are investigating taking on an allotment at Bourne Vale in Hayes, in the hopes that the children and parents will help tend it and grow produce that we can then sell in school to purchase more seeds, equipment, etc.

The pitch will be overseen by a small group of parents, who will plan what will be grown but we need willing helpers to join the team. Initially, this will involve preparing the pitch for planting, so over the Summer holidays we hope to have regular visitors to do the preparation work.

If you are interested in being on the team, and encouraging your children to learn about horticulture and to benefit from the produce they grow, please email kestonprimarypta@gmail.com. We will set up a Whatsapp! group so that we can easily communicate what's been done and needs doing. Please get in touch ASAP if you are interested, so that we can gauge if this is a going concern.

(The picture below is a stock shot - not our allotment)

The PTA has reserved a block of reduced rate tickets to see David Walliams brilliant 'Awful Auntie' at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley on Friday 25th May at 7.30pm. Tickets will go on sale nearer the time but put the date in your diary if you're interested in attending.

This a real no-brainer to aid fundraising without it costing you a penny. Each time you head to a screen to shop online, type in address easyfundraising.org.uk, look up your store e.g. Amazon and proceed with your shopping. Your purchases will earn Keston Primary a percentage of your purchase. It costs you nothing! It earns Keston free money! All you need to do the first time is register your cause as Keston CE Primary School BR2 6BN and remember to shop via easyfundraising.org.uk for everything. Truly easy. To get started, click here: http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/kestoncepspta/?t=PTA-UK-li&v=a&u=181WN0&=