What is PTA? Why join PTA? What am I going to get out of it?
After 2 years as the committee chairperson, I have gained just as much as I have put in. It has been a truly brilliant opportunity and experience. With this being my last formal opportunity to speak to all parents within the school I would like to share some of the reasons and things which I have gained and feel so important. I look forward to seeing a new committee and hope it will go from strength to strength. During my time I have found being involved has been informative, fun and has helped me to grow as a parent and person. One thing I can’t stress enough to all the parents of our school is participation matters.By getting involved in the school you’ll be part of the solution, helping make positive changes. Part of the committee’s function is it gives us opportunities to meet other parents and the teachers. It helps us to build up a rapport with each other and an opportunity to discuss issues and ideas that are on your mind. You can share ideas, concerns, and experiences.
The PTA plays an important role in fundraising to provide building improvements, curriculum-based equipment, and social events.By becoming a PTA member, you are being a role model for your child and you will be demonstrating to them the importance you place on their education. Myself and the committee have got to know a lot of the children over the past 2 years with holding events like our book day, mad hair day and leprechaun treasure hunt. It was a great pleasure to get to know them and to be able to get feedback from all of our children and listen to their input and ideas. Believe me, your kids do take note of how you feel about their school, it is a big part of their life and being involved just reinforces that positivity to them. And of course not to mention what child doesn’t have pride and love to say that’s my mum or dad who helped with that or organised this. We all have hectic lives and I know for me I was afraid of taking on a role and a task in case I did it wrong, in getting involved and not being able to offer the time needed. When your child is buzzing around, tugging at your arm and looking for your attention or you drop your child off and have to run to work it can be hard to have an adult conversation and get to know people and the last thing you sometimes want is to get involved in the unknown. I have found new friends and acquaintances from all over the world just from joining our PTA.I have learned about all the different cultures and many customs which make up our multi denominational school. This has broaded my understanding and made me I hope more open and understanding in turn, which as EducateTtogether parents our school is all about. At the meetings, you can scan the attendees for sympathetic-looking parents (the woman who made a good point? or the guy who’s rolling his eyes at the same things you are?) whatever it may be you will not come home from a PTA meeting or event without getting to know at least one other parent whom you have something in common with and learn something new in the process. It has been really nice to be able to put some of my ideas into practice which without getting involved may not have been heard. You really are welcomed into the school and encouraged to participate and get involved.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the support, help and ideas shared. Thank you to Eddie, Linda and all the teachers for encouraging, listening, helping out and willingness to let us get so involved within the school. To all the committee members, I was very honoured to have chaired such a brilliant group of people, who dedicated their time and energies to the new ideas and fundraising events. I look forward to volunteering with the new committee so please get involved and put your name forward.
Amy Sines (PTA,Chairperson)