Early in 2022, Eynsham Community Primary School PTA became one of the successful applicants in the Parish Council grant programme. They received a financial contribution that helped to purchase new equipment for the swimming pool, allowing it to be used by the students during the summer term.
In addition to the pool equipment, the PTA’s activity in the previous academic year led to the creation, from scratch, of a new library for the school. This project was completed before the start of the new term, delivering a valuable hub for much-needed reading resources.
Now the new academic year has begun, the school and PTA have a new project to fundraise for: the enhancement of an outdoor space. The intention is to create something stimulating and fun for all children at the school, and the PTA already have a list of events planned to help them reach their financial target and complete the project.
Firstly, James Smee and a team of teachers and parents from the school have signed up to run the Oxford Half Marathon on 16 October. All money raised (Fundraiser by James Smee : Playground Project - Oxford Half Marathon (gofundme.com)) is being donated to the playground fund and the PTA team has said “any donation amount, however small or large, is very gratefully accepted”.
Preparation has also begun for one of the village’s most popular annual events, Light up Eynsham, which the PTA organises. This Christmas lights event is supported by the Parish Council and always attracts a crowd, courtesy of the winning combination of lights, food, drink, activities and a visit from the big red man delight children of all ages.
It’s likely that more fundraising events will be added to the calendar for 2023. Details of these will be shared via internal parent channels from the school, while the activities that are open to the public will be highlighted on the PTA Facebook page.
The Parish Council has been pleased to be able to support Eynsham Community Primary School PTA and we hope they have another successful year of fundraising and activities. Our Councillors will look forward to attending their events and we hope Eynsham residents will do the same. It’s an easy (and fun!) way to support the local primary school, helping them to develop facilities and create healthy, stimulating and engaging areas for the students to learn, play and grow.