Parents’ Association
The Parents’ Association is the structure through which parents in a school can work together for the best possible education for their children. The Parents’ Association works with the Principal, staff and the Board of Management to build effective partnership between the home and school. Partnership between the home and school is important because with positive and active partnership the child gets the best that primary education can offer. The Parents’ Association committee and members are elected at the AGM held in September each year for a term of three years.
Parents' Association OFFICERS
Chairperson: Cathleen McCarthy
Treasurer: Grainne Haugh
Secretary: Sarah Brody
Treasurer: Grainne Haugh
Secretary: Sarah Brody
What the PARENTS ASSOCIATION does
The Parents Association hold a number of fun events for the pupils of Ballina Primary School to participate in throughout each school year. A small example of events organised by the Parents Association in recent years are as follows:
The Parents Association help with a number of school events, and funds raised by the Parents Association through their fundraising events have helped to contribute to the cost of important resources for the school. Ways in which the Parents Association help the school include:
The Parents Association are always looking for more volunteers to join the committee or who may be available to help out at events throughout the year.
- A Hallowe’en Children’s Disco takes places before the October mid-term break;
- A number of non-uniform days (including themed non-uniform days, such as Lá Glas for St. Patrick’s Day) take place throughout each school year;
- A Christmas Bake Sale and raffle are held leading up to the Christmas holidays;
- School calendars and pupil-designed Christmas cards have been sold at Christmas;
- Events such as a sponsored walk and the annual school Sports Day are also organised by the Parents Association.
The Parents Association help with a number of school events, and funds raised by the Parents Association through their fundraising events have helped to contribute to the cost of important resources for the school. Ways in which the Parents Association help the school include:
- In 2018, the Parents Association organised a very successful sponsored walk for the whole school. Over €7000 was raised and the money contributed towards the cost of a stage for the school. The stage has since been purchased, and will be a wonderful resource for school events and shows. In 2019, the sponsored walk will be used as a fundraiser for upgraded I.T. equipment for the school.
- In 2019, the Parents Association purchased school shorts and socks for use by the various school sports teams (see picture below).
- The Parents Association provide refreshments for social occasions, including First Penance, New Infant Enrolment Night, etc. A new burco and fold-up tables were purchased from funds to assist with refreshments for such events.
- The Parents Association support work on updated and drafting new policies and plans.
- In 2022, after being restricted by Covid for the previous 2 years, the Parents Association held an in-school Halloween Disco with 50 spot prizes, sold Toy Show treat boxes, held two 50/50 raffles raising over 1k for the school, as well as paying for all of the transport for all school tours.
- A donation of €1k was made by the Parents Committee to the Irish Red Cross helping those affected by the war in Ukraine
- To finish off the year, a very successful sports day was held in Ballina GAA, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
The Parents Association are always looking for more volunteers to join the committee or who may be available to help out at events throughout the year.
