School Fund and Fundraising

School Fund and Fundraising

Working Together to Enrich Our Children's Education

At SS John and Monica Catholic Primary School, we are committed to providing our children with the very best educational experiences, both inside and outside the classroom.

As a Catholic school, we value the strong partnership we share with our parents, carers and wider community. Through their generosity and support, we are able to provide additional resources, activities and enrichment opportunities that go beyond those ordinarily funded through the school's budget.

Fundraising plays an important role in helping us maintain and enhance these opportunities, ensuring that our children benefit from a rich, varied and memorable primary school experience.

What Is the School Fund and Why Is It Important?

SS John and Monica Catholic Primary School is a Voluntary Aided (VA) Catholic School. As a VA school, the governing body has particular responsibilities for contributing towards certain capital building works and improvements, with eligible projects generally receiving 90% government funding and requiring a 10% contribution from the governing body.

In addition, like all schools, we face increasing financial pressures, and our allocated school budget must prioritise the essential costs of delivering the curriculum and running the school.

Our School Fund helps us provide valuable additional experiences and resources that enhance children's learning, personal development and wellbeing.

We invite families to make a voluntary annual contribution of £10 per family, although any amount, however small, is greatly appreciated.

Contributions can be made through School Money.

We fully appreciate that families have different financial circumstances, and we want to reassure parents that contributions are entirely voluntary. No family should feel under pressure to contribute.

Every donation makes a difference, and every contribution is sincerely appreciated.

Our Main Fundraising Priority – Protecting Our Forest School Provision

Giving Children the Opportunity to Learn, Explore and Flourish Outdoors

One of the most valued enrichment opportunities we offer at SS John and Monica's is our Forest School provision.

Forest School provides children with a unique opportunity to learn in a natural outdoor environment, developing important skills and personal qualities that complement their classroom education.

Although outdoor learning supports many areas of the National Curriculum, our specialist Forest School programme is an additional enrichment opportunity rather than a statutory National Curriculum requirement.

We believe passionately in the benefits of Forest School and the positive impact it has on children's confidence, independence, resilience, communication and emotional wellbeing.

Through Forest School, children have opportunities to:

• Develop confidence and independence by exploring new experiences and taking on appropriate challenges.

• Build resilience and perseverance as they learn to solve problems and overcome difficulties.

• Strengthen communication and teamwork through collaborative activities and shared experiences.

• Support emotional wellbeing by spending time outdoors and connecting with nature.

• Develop creativity and curiosity through practical, hands-on learning.

• Understand and appreciate the natural world, developing a sense of responsibility for caring for our common home.

Forest School is highly valued by our children and parents, and we are extremely proud to be able to offer this experience as part of our wider curriculum.

Why We Need Your Support

To deliver our Forest School programme, we commission a specialist Forest School teacher from Forest School Birmingham, who brings the expertise, knowledge and experience required to provide high-quality outdoor learning sessions.

Employing an external specialist represents a significant ongoing financial commitment for the school.

For this reason, the majority of the money raised through our School Fund and fundraising activities will be directed towards maintaining our Forest School provision.

With increasing pressures on school budgets, we cannot guarantee that we would be able to continue offering this valuable experience without the additional financial support provided through fundraising.

We know how much our children enjoy Forest School and how highly parents value the opportunities it provides. We are therefore determined to do everything we reasonably can to protect this important part of school life.

Your support helps us keep Forest School available for our children, giving them opportunities to learn, explore, grow in confidence and develop a lifelong appreciation of the natural world.

How Else Does the School Fund Support Our Children?

While Forest School is our principal fundraising priority, the School Fund also helps us purchase additional resources and provide experiences that enhance children's everyday school life.

Examples include:

• Additional books and reading resources for our school library.

• Outdoor play equipment to encourage physical activity and cooperative play.

• Wet playtime resources to provide stimulating activities during indoor breaks.

• Enrichment materials and resources that enhance learning beyond the classroom.

• Additional opportunities that support children's creativity, wellbeing and personal development.

These resources and experiences make a real difference to our children and help us maintain the welcoming, stimulating and enriching environment that we are proud to offer.

Our Home–School Fundraising Committee

We are extremely fortunate to have a dedicated and enthusiastic Home–School Fundraising Committee, made up of parents and carers who generously give their time, energy and talents to support our school.

The committee plays a vital role in strengthening our school community while raising much-needed funds to benefit our children.

Throughout the year, the committee organises a variety of enjoyable events, including:

• Christmas and Summer Fairs.

• Whole-school raffles and prize draws.

• Coffee mornings and social events.

• Family fundraising activities.

• Other seasonal and community fundraising initiatives.

These events are about much more than raising money. They provide wonderful opportunities for families, staff and children to come together, build friendships and celebrate the strong sense of community that makes SS John and Monica's such a special place.

We are incredibly grateful to our committee members and to everyone who supports their efforts, whether through volunteering, donating prizes, attending events or contributing in other ways.

Their generosity and commitment have a direct and lasting impact on the opportunities we can provide for our children.

Fundraising Throughout the School Year

Alongside the work of our Fundraising Committee, we organise a number of smaller fundraising activities throughout the academic year.

These may include non-uniform days, themed events, seasonal activities and other opportunities for children to participate in enjoyable fundraising initiatives.

We aim to make these activities accessible and inclusive, recognising that every family's circumstances are different.

Supporting Others Through Our Catholic Mission

As a Catholic school, we also recognise the importance of giving to others and putting our faith into action.

Throughout the year, particularly during Advent and Lent, our school community comes together to raise money and collect donations for charities and those in need.

These charitable activities are separate from our School Fund and provide valuable opportunities for children to develop compassion, generosity, empathy and an understanding of their responsibility to support others.

Through these experiences, children learn that even small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference to the lives of others.

How Can Families Help?

There are many ways in which parents, carers and members of our wider community can support our fundraising efforts:

• Making a voluntary annual contribution to the School Fund.

• Supporting our Christmas and Summer Fairs.

• Donating raffle prizes or resources where possible.

• Volunteering to help at fundraising events.

• Supporting school fundraising activities throughout the year.

• Joining or assisting our Home–School Fundraising Committee.

We recognise that not everyone can contribute financially or give their time, and there is absolutely no expectation that families must do so.

Every contribution, in whatever form, is valued and appreciated.

Thank You for Making a Difference

At SS John and Monica Catholic Primary School, we are proud of the strong relationships we share with our families and wider community.

Your generosity allows us to provide experiences that enrich children's education and help them develop academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

Our immediate priority is to secure the future of our much-loved Forest School provision, ensuring that children continue to benefit from this exceptional outdoor learning opportunity.

Without the generosity of our school community, many of these additional experiences would simply not be possible.

Thank you for your continued kindness, generosity and commitment to our school.

Together, we can continue to provide the enriching opportunities that help every child at SS John and Monica's learn, grow and flourish.