PTA Magazine is produced and published by Parent Teacher Associations UK (formerly NCPTA), a registered charity (number 1072833) and company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 3680271.
PTA-UK 0845 850 5460 / info@pta.org.uk PTA Magazine is a benefit of PTA-UK membership. It is published as a digital magazine a minimum of four times a year by PTA-UK for its members. Content, in whole or part may not be reproduced without the express written permission of PTA-UK. For information please contact Annette Wiles as above.
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PTA-UK cannot be held responsible for the views/ statements expressed by external contributors and advertisers sent at the owner’s risk and whilst PTA-UK has made every effort to ensure that content is accurate and correct at the time of publication, details may be subject to change. PTA-UK will not therefore be held responsible for any loss or other liability that may result.
Membership of PTA-UK starts from just £25 a year. Visit www.pta.org.uk for information on the benefits PTA-UK offers or call the PTA-UK Advice Line on 0845 850 5460.
With Halloween, Harvest Festival and Guy Fawkes Night firmly behind us thoughts are turning to the festive season and all the opportunities this time of the year brings. We’re kicking things off with this unashamedly festive edition of PTA Magazine. Whatever festivals and holidays your school is celebrating whether it’s Diwali, Hijra (Islamic New Year), Thanksgiving or Hanukkah PTA-UK will be with you every step of the way. Take a look at our 10 Christmassy things to do (p 5) for some last minute ideas and make sure you un-wrap our festive fundraising feature and seasonal FAQs (p 28 – 30). Our fantastic members have given us some unique gifts for this edition – their ideas, including contributions to our new letters page ‘Your Views’ (p 4). And we’re looking forward to the New Year too. For starters it’s a new PTA-UK membership year so we’ve taken the opportunity to give you the low-down on the top ten benefits of membership (p 10), we unveil our new website (p 24) plus a great new partnership with the UK’s leading good cause shopping site easyfundraising.org.uk (p 14). I hope you agree this edition is packed with inspirational ideas and the first-class guidance you have come to expect from your membership organisation. Oh and talking of inspiration we have great pleasure in introducing you to Nathan Kemp, a remarkable young teacher from London who has just been named Teacher of the Year and our very own Paralympics Games Maker Mandy Harding. So grab a cuppa and settle down to a cracking good read (no more festive puns – promise!).
Jane
Membership Development Manager
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MEET THE TEAM - an amazing group of people, at your service. We introduce you to...
David Newberry
PTA-UK Finance and Services Manager
David joined PTA-UK in 1999. He is responsible for the Charity’s financial issues and he manages all aspects of the membership database and the charity’s subscription- linked insurance services. “I also play a big role in the renewal process” said David. “I’ve seen the number of members renewing by Direct Debit increase to a staggering 70%. It’s the best way to renew; I would encourage all members to opt for this method of payment!”
Nicole James
PTA-UK Adviser, Cymru
Nicole joined PTA-UK in 2008, has son who attends a Welsh medium school and is learning to speak Welsh herself. Nicole said, “I’ve met so many committed volunteers, it makes my job easy! I love workshops – the challenge to ensure I present content and facilitate discussion that leaves delegates inspired is so rewarding. My goal for next year is to boost the number of Gold Star applications from Welsh PTAs and to ensure we get a winner!”