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 Members
Chairperson: Laura Darcy
Treasurer: Claudia Pimenta
Secretary: Fiona Maguire
Steve McCall
Maeve O'Dwyer
Caitriona Burke
Caroline Eldridge
Jenny Guinan
Rachel Walsh
Sonya Seymour
Treasurer: Claudia Pimenta
Secretary: Fiona Maguire
Steve McCall
Maeve O'Dwyer
Caitriona Burke
Caroline Eldridge
Jenny Guinan
Rachel Walsh
Sonya Seymour
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:
- Funds raised by the Parents Association cover the cost of the buses for the school tours each year before the summer holidays. In June 2017, for example, €4500 was contributed towards the cost of buses for end-of-year school tours.
- Also in 2017, two literacy boxes for the junior end of the school were purchased using funds raised, costing €700.
- 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.
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.
