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DPSA

What is the DPSA?

The DPSA stands for the Danbury Park School Association which is the PTA of Danbury Park School. It is a registered charity. Every parent and carer is automatically a member of the DPSA. The committee consists of a group of parents who organise events on behalf of the school to raise much needed funds for the benefit of all children. There is an AGM every October and committee meetings are held approximately once every half term.

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Events

School Discos – each term there is an evening disco – one for EYFS and KS1 (5.30 – 6.30pm) and a later disco (7.00 – 8.15pm) for KS2. There is no disco for EYFS children in the autumn term. Sweets, crisps and glow sticks are sold at both discos and there is free squash. There are also bottled drinks for sale and a raffle at the KS2 disco.

Christmas Fayre – is held in the school hall usually the first Saturday afternoon in December. Stalls usually include a Santa’s Grotto, face-painting and a Secrets Room (where children can buy presents for their Mums and Dads and other grown-ups) along with various Christmas –themed games to play. There is a café selling hot and cold drinks, cakes, crisps and hot dogs.

Easter Egg Hunt – is usually the Saturday one week before the end of the Spring term. It takes place on the school field with clues to find to win an Easter prize. In the school hall there are various Easter craft stalls, an Easter Egg tombola, Easter hamper raffle and sometimes a Mothers’ Day Secrets Room along with other stalls and a café selling hot and cold drinks, crisps and cakes.

Summer Fayre – is usually held on the third Saturday of June on the school field and playground. There are lots of different stalls, games, displays, grand raffle, bouncy castles, a BBQ with other refreshments, and much more! There is lots of fun to be had for all the family.

Ice Cream Fridays

When the weather is conducive a selection of ice creams are sold after school every Friday in the Summer Term.

We also organise some events throughout the year just for the adults. In the past these have included Quiz Nights and Christmas Flower Arrangement Evening. It is a great way to meet and get to know other parents.

 

What is the money that we raise used for?

Over the past few years the money raised has been used to pay for smart boards for all of the class rooms, the £10,000 school contribution for the playground and field drainage work, the two adventure trails and wooden climbing frames in the school playground, class digital cameras, the 2 outside wooden gazebos, all the school laptop computers and a storage trolley, tablet computers, children’s picnic benches, school water fountains, playground and sports equipment, raised beds for the school garden, school sports kits, cooking equipment, a kiln, books for the school library, wet play games and musical instruments, to name but a few. Each year we provide every child who leaves Danbury Park School with a dictionary.

It is easy to recognise what a significant contribution the DPSA has made to school over the years, and how every child has benefited from the commitment made by the DPSA.

 

How do I get involved?

The DPSA AGM is held in October every year so do come along and hear what we’ve been up to and join in the discussions on what else we can do. New committee members are always welcome to provide fresh ideas and enthusiasm. New members can join at any time during the year and are welcome at any DPSA meeting. If you do not wish to join the committee there are many other ways to get involved ….

  • Helping to set up or clear away after an event
  • Running a stall
  • Helping at a disco
  • Organising a regular event, such as the jumble sales or coordinating the second-hand uniform
  • Baking a cake
  • Donating a raffle prize

and, of course, by coming along to events to show your support

Class Reps

At the start of each academic year we ask for a parent volunteer for each class to be a parent representative. The Class Rep acts as a link between the DPSA and the class sending out reminders of events, asking for helpers and donations, etc. The Class Rep can also remind you of class activities, such as an assembly, and organise class collections.

Other very easy ways to help

Bag2School

This is an excellent way to have a clear-out and make money for school.

Collection bags go out in book bags. If you need more they can be collected from the school office or just use plain black bin bags. Please donate unwanted clothes (adult and child), paired shoes, handbags, hats, scarves, belts, ties and soft toys, and also now household linen, duvet covers, pillow cases, towels and curtains. All items donated should be suitable for being re-used. We can no longer collect cushions, duvets, pillows, blankets or bric-a-brac. Please bring to school on the day only and leave by the gate by 9am. If it is raining, please put the bags in the cycle shelter. There is a collection every term.

 

Adventure Island Wrist Bands

The DPSA have teamed up with Adventure Island in Southend to offer discounted wristbands for their theme park.

If you’d like to buy wristband vouchers contact your class rep or a member of The DPSA who will arrange to get them to you. Payments need to be in cash or a cheque made payable to `The DPSA’ and we can now also take electronic payment. Family and friends are welcome to buy too!

 

Name Labels

Stikins are name labels for clothes and school equipment. It’s a great way to ensure items are never lost again and they are very easy to use as they just stick in. The same label can be used for clothes, shoes, water bottles, etc. Visit the website www.stikins.co.uk to order and use the code 5641 at the checkout and we will automatically receive a donation for our funds.

 

The Big Book Collection

The collection box is under the counter by the school office. If you have any good quality books or audio CDs your children no longer use or have outgrown please leave them in the box by the school office. We are looking for all types of books in good condition from Early Years Foundation Stage up to Year 6 – fiction, poetry, non-fiction. Thank you.

 

Easyfundraising.org.uk

Please sign up as it’s free to register and simple to use – you just need an email address and a password. Every time you make a purchase on-line through the easyfundraising website the retailer donates a percentage to the school. It doesn’t cost you anything and is completely safe to use. Over 2,000 well know retailers have signed up to Easyfundraising including Amazon, Next, Argos, M&S and John Lewis.

 

Good-as-new uniform

The DPSA holds a large stock of nearly new uniform, which is available to purchase (for often less than  50p per item) at most events. Donations of uniform with the school emblem or any PE kit can be left in the box by the school office. Uniform is put out for sale at school events. At other times please ask one of the committee members or your Class Rep.

 

Current DPSA Committee

Chairperson               Georgie Moore

Vice-Chairperson      Laura Sterry & Emma Graves

Secretary                    Chloe Heaphy

Treasurer                    Nicky Butcher

 

Please feel free to contact any DPSA members if you have any questions or would like to help in any way. You can also contact us through our Facebook page.