The PTFA has been running for many years and was originally known as the Parent Teacher Association. However, in 1971 there was a couple living in the village who did not have children of their own, but wished to become involved and help in the school. The Association then changed its name and became known as the Broadmayne First School Parents Teachers and Friends Association – PTFA for short.

In 1971 the Association completed the building and installation of the school swimming pool with the majority of the work being carried out by willing parents and friends. The pool is still in use and is very much a luxury for a first school.

The object of the Broadmayne PTFA is to advance the education of the pupils in the school. Its aims, as set out in the constitution, are as follows:–

to develop more extended relationships between the staff, parents and others associated with the school.

to engage in activities which support the school and advance the education of the pupils attending it.

to provide and assist in the provision of such facilities or items for education at the school (not provided from statutory funds) as the Committee in consultation with the Governing Body shall from time to time determine.

The membership of the Association consists of all parents and/or guardians of pupils attending the school and/or who have attended the school. All teachers are honorary members and are entitled to attend meetings but do not have a vote. The management of the Association is vested in a Committee consisting of the following Officers:–Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, together with a minimum of five other members excluding teachers. The Committee meets a minimum of once during every half term (ie six meetings per school year) and provides a newsletter, which is circulated to all members after each meeting. This newsletter contains details of the committee’s work and achievements and sets out its programme of events for the coming months, together with any other relevant information for members.

The Association's main energies are concentrated on fundraising events. The bulk of our funds raised goes towards the maintenance and upkeep of the school swimming pool. This, although very important, is nevertheless, a somewhat expensive facility. Much of the routine maintenance work is carried out by the committee members and willing parents, with more specialist tasks and necessary purchases (e.g. heating oil, chemicals, etc.) being met from our funds. The PTFA operates a Swimming Club throughout the season on Saturday mornings, and on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons during the summer holidays. Membership is free to all children attending Broadmayne school and Pre-school and a small fee is payable by others wishing to swim. The PTFA is also responsible for operating a daily milk rota at school break times for those children who wish to have milk. In addition we help the school, whenever possible, by providing refreshments for various meetings and events.

Every year we present the children leaving the school with a dictionary. If funds allow we aim to purchase other items of equipment useful to the school and not available from other sources, together with assisting towards other projects the school is undertaking. For example, within the last couple of years the PTFA have purchased various items of computer and video equipment, sports and play equipment, and a Friendship Bench for the playground. We also managed to contribute towards the refurbishment of the kitchen area and to provide a much-needed library.

Our annual calendar of events includes our traditional Summer and Christmas Fairs, together with various other events. In the past couple of years we have held a July Jamboree, which has been kindly hosted by Lytchetts Residential Home in Chalky Road. Other events have included a disco for the children, various sponsored activities, Scottish dancing evenings and car boot sales. A new event for our 1999 calendar is a bonfire and fireworks display on 5 November which we are hoping will be another successful family event.

Sam Toogood ,Chairman, 9th June 1999