The Glasgow Academy Atholl PTA

The Atholl PTA, in its present format, is now in its fourth year.  In the Autumn term 2008, the PTA held a successful Christmas Fête and a St Andrew's Ceilidh. 

Atholl is a small school but PTA events are always well attended by parents, grandparents, friends of the school and members of the local community.  Money is raised both to enhance the extra - curricular activities and for charity. 

Last year , the PTA bought Nativity costumes for the school and the pupils from Nursery through to Prep 4 had great fun trying on the outfits while practising their Nativity lines.

The PTA discusses the charities they would like to support and for the past few years the Children's Hospice Association Scotland has benefited from the funds raised.  The school has built a close relationship with CHAS and the Hospice staff are often involved in PTA events.  Last year over £2000 was raised for this charity.

The school also makes use of PTA members' expertise to take forward initiatives.  Recently, parents helped with playground advice and design; gardening and advice on how to make the best use of funds.  Members of the PTA run the Healthy Tuck Shop and are always around the school to help with catering and hall decoration at events.

Atholl PTA runs a subscription system where parents pay a small amount on a yearly basis.  This money is used to buy the pupils presents at Christmas time and to provide refreshments for seasonal children's parties, for example.

Each year group at Atholl has a PTA representative who will introduce themselves to new parents and support the families with information about Atholl and the community.

Extra-curricular

The PTA helps to purchase items for extra-curricular activities.  In this picture, Mrs Hegarty is renewing the tubs outside the school, with the help of the Prep 1 pupils.

The Healthy Tuck Shop

The idea of a Healthy Tuck Shop was conceived by the pupil members of the Atholl Eco Committee.  It is held on the first Friday of every month at morning break.  The PTA prepares all the fruit, vegetables and healthy snack bars.  Pupils can also purchase recycled items like pencils.  Any profits raised are put back into Eco Committee Funds.