EVENTS – Leavers’ events
‘Our leavers’ festival
captured their hearts’ We held our fi rst leavers’ festival in 2021. The PTA selected the activities, keeping them a surprise for the children. Since then, it has become an annual event with only a few minor changes depending on the interests of the year group. The festival has captured their imagination and holds a special place in their hearts as they near the end of their primary school journey. Fortunately, our school has a spacious outdoor area
where we hold the festival in the early evening. Last year, pupils arrived at 5:30pm and stayed until just after 8pm. On entry we gave them funky sunglasses, a VIP wristband and fl ower garlands. A local pub served pizza and chicken goujons with chocolate brownies for pudding. Pupils could bounce on space hoppers or relax on beanbags in the chillout area. The most popular activities were glitter tattoos and face art, and the campfi re, where our forest school leader made s’mores. We set up a photo booth under a tree and provided infl atable props. I also created a photo frame using the handprints of all the children. At the end, the parents came back for a presentation: a
mixture of songs, photographs and children’s memories. Our school’s motto is ‘Achieve, Believe, Contribute’ and we handed out awards for each category. Every child also received a ‘scroll’ – a pack of Oreos wrapped in a certifi cate. Our aim is to give the class some time together. It’s a last hurrah before they go to secondary school. As chair, I’m so appreciative of all the hard work the committee members and school staff put in, so this is for them too. Leanne Fisher, chair, Friends of Mitcheldean School, Gloucestershire (210 pupils)
selection of infl atables. Lay out your course on the school fi eld and test it beforehand. Invite Year 6 leavers to run the course, and station fellow pupils around the area ready to spray them with water pistols, bubbles or coloured powder. Position a photographer at the most exciting part of the route to take a souvenir photo of each child.
Day trips and
nights away Many schools arrange residential stays and days out for their Year 6 leavers. While it’s unlikely the PTA would fund such a trip, a joint venture with the school may be an option. Popular choices include theatre, theme park, museum or beach trips. Challenge the children by opting for outdoor adventure activities including kayaking and
Treasure hunt Run a treasure hunt on the
school grounds, allowing pupils to explore their school, possibly for the last time. Create a map
with clues and tasks to complete along the way. Base them on the school and include references to the teachers, school trips and topics studied during their time
there. Award a prize to everyone who completes the hunt. Set up a cake stall and offer celebratory refreshments at the end.
canoeing, or choose a day of indoor fun, perhaps with go-karting or laser tag. If your school doesn’t organise a residential trip, but Year 6 children and parents want a sleep-out, work closely with the school to arrange a camping night on the grounds. Invite a local food truck to provide the evening meal or hold a traditional PTA barbecue. Treat everyone to bacon sandwiches for breakfast.
FIND MORE Events for older children at pta.
co.uk/events/ ideas/events-for- y5-and-y6
School Fundraising SPRING 2025 33
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