CLESA Newsletter Autumn 2009

Welcome to the Chestnut Lane and Elangeni Schools Association...

...or CLESA, as we are known.

All new parents are automatically members of CLESA and are welcome to join our committee of parents who work with the head teachers to organise fundraising events at both schools. We then link up with Class Reps to deliver the events.

Why do we do it?

It’s all about providing additional funds to help our Headteachers make a positive difference to the learning and school experience for all of our children. The £16,000 we raise on average per year provides the added extras that help make our schools so special. Government funding merely covers the basics.

How does CLESA make a difference?

In the last year, CLESA’s fundraising efforts have helped to provide Chestnut Lane with new gym apparatus and playground equipment, including play tables, which the children have really enjoyed using. At Elangeni, funds were used to buy a substantial amount of new books for the new library, a storytelling chair and new equipment for the playground.

How do we do it?

1. The Big Events:

The Christmas & Summer Fairs and Fireworks Night are our big fundraisers.

We also organise events including race nights, quiz nights and a family fun night (mini disco).

2. Sausage sizzles!

We offer a hot dog meal to the children at the end of each term. They love it and parents love a day without a packed lunch! With some families now moving on to secondary school we really need new helpers to allow these events to continue e.g. cooking sausages, serving food etc.

3. Donate by spending no extra money!  No catch.

Buy John Lewis and Tesco gift cards from us (ideally by standing order) and they give us commission of 7.5% and 5% on the cash value of vouchers purchased. Don’t spend any more – just use for the petrol and groceries you would buy anyway. This helps CLESA earn around £4,700 alone each year – easy money! 

4. Yellow Moon

Shop at the craft website www. yellowmoon.org.uk and use code SCH1434 at the checkout to earn commission for CLESA.

5. Matching funds

Does your company have a ‘match funding’ scheme to help boost our fundraising efforts? 

How can you help?

The success of all CLESA events depends on the help of parents. Any time you can spare would be greatly appreciated and we would particularly like Dads involved for firework night. You don’t need to join the committee but you may be able to help at individual events. 

To find out more about the 2009/10 programme, come along to one of the PA meetings and chat to the team about any ideas you have, and how you could get involved.

CLESA EVENTS: 2010

Giles Harvey  CLESA Chair

Chestnut Lane and Elangeni Schools Association      Registered Charity 291212

Chestnut Lane School homepage

Elangeni School homepage