2023-24 Committee
Rachael Dines - Chair & Trustee
Lisa Harvey - Vice Chair
Kim Bent - Secretary & Trustee
Stephen Payne - Treasurer/Finance & Trustee
Adriana Deluca Smith - staff link
Frances Amos - Governor link
Plus a team of at least two 'class reps' from every class. These are the parents that you can ask for event details, offer your support to and are the first port of call for help at events. But it's not just down to them, anyone in our school community is welcome to be a part of the voluntary team and we always need help at events whether you can give an hour or several or even help from home. Please ask if you are unsure who your reps are.
All Welcome
All parents, carers, guardians and staff are automatically members of The Friends and are very welcome to attend meetings. Please don’t be shy, we would love to see you there and it doesn't mean you have to volunteer any more time than you are comfortable with. If you would like to be a class rep for your child's class then please email us via friends@englishmartyrs.school
What 'The Friends' Do
For anyone who doesn't know, the 'Friends' is a registered charity set up to fundraise for our small school with a focus on enrichment. We are passionate about improving our school environment and helping the children be the best they can be. Over the years The Friends have raised money to help the school in numerous ways.
We are always looking for new fundraising ideas and opportunities, but we usually raise money through fun events and initiatives including:
Summer Fete - Christmas Fair - Christmas Card Designs - Tea and Cake Afternoons - Bags to School Clothes Recycling - Ice Lolly Sales - Movie Nights
The Friends also help the classes with trip donations, Christmas and Summer Parties, provide refreshments at school events and First Holy Communion gifts.
Each year following discussion with the Head Teacher we choose a project that we fundraise for, something that will directly benefit the children of the school and their experience at English Martyrs.
2023-24 Project
The focus for fundraising this year is the school's outdoor space which has various urgent requirements including benches, gardening, sun shelter and work on the play structure. And there are always additional needs such as socks for the football team! We have a lot to achieve.
Match Funding
When companies have CSR or ESG policies in place, sometimes there are opportunities to apply for small grants or matched funds. If your employer or someone you know has something like this in place, please talk to the committee or send us information. Lump sum contributions really do help us ask less of our small school community and achieve more, at a faster pace.
Thank you and we hope to meet you soon if we haven't already.
Friends of English Martyrs