Another Successful Fundraiser

I would just like to say I feel privileged to live in a great village community with such a good school. I am glad to help in any way I can, sometimes a little sometimes a lot.I cannot see any pressure involved! I am busy too, working too, single Mum so......?
I am sad by the way some people have commented. It is very hurtful to those people who have given years of their time and effort to the school and who will no doubt continue to do so long after our children have moved on.However, please continue the good work FBJS and there will always be some miserable anonymous complainers to keep you on your toes!
Thank you FBJS for all the hard work.

'Well what a shame that this page has to turn into a bit of a slagging off page!'

'If you have a problem with the school then stop being so cowardly and go and speak to the Head, that is what he is there for'

If it actually made a difference when you spoke to the school fair comment - sadly it does not!! You can judge all you like.....will the Head or Chair of Governors take on any of these comments...I would guess not.

Well what a shame that this page has to turn into a bit of a slagging off page! If people have a problem with our school why not go in and speak directly to Mr Green or Mrs Sutton, rather than this cowardly approach that isn't a fair debate via web news pages.If Ive got a problem I'm the first parent to go in and discuss it if you don't want to support the school don't ! If your strong enough to write on here surely your strong enough to say well actually I cant pay that £3.00 for that group coming in today or no I'm not going to help at that event its just choices, I've refused to pay for a couple of things but at least I've got the dignity to say outload. As far as the comments about the disciplin from observing our school system for many years you mostly need to look at small minority of some parents and their attitude to the school that then rubs off on their children.

This website does not exist so that memebers of the community can launch attacks on individuals. If you have a problem with the school then stop being so cowardly and go and speak to the Head, that is what he is there for.

When I put the story up on this page I didn't expect such a response from people with strong views on either side of the argument. I think the posting of this news item has worked in that all shades of opinion have been aired and I am more than delighted with this response. Perhaps we may get other issues aired in this way, this is what a community web site is all about, so thanks to all the contributers, why not make your views known on issues posted on my "City Councillor Website". I look forward reading your comments.

I have to comment having read the last comment and agreeing to it. The School are now sending letters out saying, 'not pounds for a change'. Clearly the Headteacher must have seen comments made on this website and is having a laugh!! I feel that the school are out of touch now with the community. In Bishopthorpe there are the 'busy mums', many middle class that do not have to work - and can afford the time to help and pay for whatever the school asks for...trips, uniform etc. There are also the people like me and MANY others who have to work and struggle on.

Please Mr Green,

1. Ask all the parents via a survey about fundraising and then agree some policy on this with Colin Brown. Show us that you are a leader and make a statement about your long term strategies where asking for money from parents is concerned.

2. This website hardly ever gets any comments...you can see what people are saying so don't ignore it.

3. Don't be led into a false sense of security by the 'middle class' of Bishopthorpe who have enough money not to worry about having to buy new uniform or their gas bills.

Yes we love your school and all the hard work that you and the staff do. Please stop spoiling this by asking for money all the time.

I too work fulltime and am extremely busy, but with 2 children at AYJS, I do what I can to support the school and of course my children’s education. I can completely see both sides of the debate here.

I have noticed over the last couple of months a large increase in letters home requesting (voluntary) donations for trips, various performances in school, confidence coaches, SAT revision books etc. Including East Barmby trip, contributions for 2 children must tot up to about £400 over the last couple of months alone. I don't resent this and always pay the full contribution as regardless of what anyone says, I do feel children would be stigmatised if parents refuse either on principle or financial ability. Perhaps another reason I am so compliant with financial request is because I am unable to readily give my time.

Fundraising for other things, is a completely different matter and one which should be 100% optional for parents and the wider community to engage in. It was my understanding that children could only go in none uniform if they brought a cake to school on 13th. For some parents this is unreasonable and has direct impact on the children. I don’t know if it is just my children, but they also put me under lots of pressure to make a big cake, donate to this or that, make sure I attend certain activities, which if I am completely honest could do without! I did go to the St Crux event and thought it was wonderful, but am sure that if I hadn’t attended no one would have noticed. Likewise with the forthcoming Elvis night – I am going because I want to.

I am very proud of our school, completely appreciate the work not only of Mr. Green but other staff and so many volunteers. I think first and foremost our children receive a 1st class education, but moreover one that is enhanced by a sense of community and other activities outside the mainstream curriculum which enrich a child’s learning. The balance between acceptable requests and a burden is a fine line and one we may currently be precariously walking.

I went to St Crux. Just to have lunch and a cup of coffee. I pick and choose the things that I can support in different ways and I think, to be fair, that most people do the same. I am also very aware that this village built a swimming pool so that my children could come along and learn to swim years later. Someone else ran brownies, cubs and scouts so that my children could benefit. It's a bit of give and probably quite a lot of take!
I think that in this village we are incredibly lucky and I, for one, am very proud of my association with the school.

I would just like to say that I fully support FBJS and although a busy working Mum of far too many children I too made the effort to turn out and support my childrens school at the cake sale and intend to help at many other events. I am proud to be part of the school and welcome their enthusiasum to improve facilities that will definatly help my child at the school now and the two that are to follow in the future. I have saved lots of uniform from my older children but now hope we can arrange to put it to good use elsewhere, I do not feel pressured to buy my son the new uniform he will be going into year six in september and I will not be buying new for him, but I certainly don't have a problem with buying it for my next two, I think the present uniform needs smartening up so look forward to seeing great improvements in the next few years. To the new head that has breathed a breath of fresh air into the school and the wonderful teachers and to the strength behind FBJS keep up the excellent work and the drive to take the school onwards and upwards.

Perhaps The Haadteacher at the school should do a parent survey about how money is being raised for this project. 100k seems too much for one community to raise alone. Has anybody considered something like a timber structure that would look great and perhaps cost less? Is this project just a few ambitious people carrying the others along?
Busy Mum said, "So is the general feeling that parents don't want the extension? If they do then we are going to have to work for it" It seems to me that whatever others think, things will just continue regardless!!

As a parent of a Year 6 child and someone who took part in the event I'd just like to say what a great day it was, not just in terms of the money raised but in the fun and friendship I shared with the many other parents who gave up time. It wouldn't have been half the success though if it wasn't for everyone who donated a cake etc!! Most of us have busy lives and know others may not be in a position to give time or money but it's not all one way traffic. The school has given our family so much, both for our children but also socially (most people we know in the village have linked with the school at some point), that I'm happy to give something back even if it won't directly benefit my children.

The Big Project is ambitious but it needs to be because these types of facilities are unlikely to be provided otherwise. It's been great that both parents and staff have got involved, there are many places where this just doesn't happen at all. However, there's no intention to create the "pressure" that some people have expressed - each of us has to make choices about what we give to and be confident that's right for us. However, any idea, cake, writing of a letter etc is always welcome - fun friendship and a sense of doing something positive in return can't be bad!! Chris.

Parents only have so much to give...that is the point!

I would like to thank all the parents for their time and effort that they give to the school. I have continued to be amazed by the support given by all parents. The St Crux event was an incredible success, because it pulled the whole school community together

So is the general feeling that parents don't want the extension? If they do then we are going to have to work for it. That alone is a lesson for the children. I feel that the future pupils are set to benefit enormously from what FBJS are doing now. The money is not just going to appear from nowhere. It has to be found. If these unhappy parents have better ideas, BRING THEM ON!

I just wanted to comment and say it's great what all the Mum's do including myself. However, I feel under pressure to give all the time to FBJS. Many of my friends also feel the same. The big project seems to be taking over.

I just wanted to point out that FBJS is run by a group of parents with children at that school. They are very aware of the difficult finanial times we find ourselves in. When this project was launched nearly a year ago, things we no where near as gloomy as they are now. No one is ever expected to give what they can't afford to and FBJS would certainly not condone that. They are constantly looking at ways to raise money, not only from within the village but also from sources not directly invloved with the school. I think we should be extremely proud that we live in a community where people care enough to dedicate their free time to creating a better future for Bishopthorpe's children for years to come.
Regarding the new uniform, the school has never said that the old uniform will not be permitted in the school after September. The information given to parents was that new uniform, when purchased, would be of the new design and there will inevitably be a period of change over while children use up their existing unifrom.

At long last comments are being put on the site,this is what a community website is about.

I do understand concerns expressed but it does beg the question, how else might money be raised for such a project? Certainly there is no money available from the Council or at least not anywhere near the full amount, as for any other source, any ideas?

'anyone who doesn't wish to participate is quite free to make that decision and no doubt will be respected in the same way as others who might make a contrary decision'

This makes your child 'different' so you have to participate.

The school have you by the 'short and curlies'

I am sorry that Anonymous feels aggrieved about the activities of FBJS. I do know that other avenues are being explored but unfortunately Bishopthorpe is seen as fairly affluent village and it doesn't do too well when funding organisations make their decisions. I am not defending this perception merely stating a fact. Anyway please accept what FBJS are doing is very much for the future and the future intakes of children anyone who doesn't wish to participate is quite free to make that decision and no doubt will be respected in the same way as others who might make a contrary decision.