PTFA stands for Parent Teacher and Friends Association, and is therefore open to lots of people in the EBS community!
East Barnet PTFA organises fund-raising events to pay for equipment and facilities that the school could not otherwise afford to buy. We arrange events where the wider school community can come together, get to know each other and have a good time – and hopefully make money for our appeals.
We are a registered charity, whose aims include advancing the education of the students of the school by providing and assisting in the provision of facilities for education at the school (not normally provided by the local authority). We engage in activities which support the school and the students attending it and at the same time try to foster more extended relationships between the staff, parents, and others associated with the school.
Registered Charity Number: 291368
The PTFA have raised funds over recent years in excess of £50,000 to support as many students as possible during their time at the school.
These include a new minibus, 15 cycles, upgrading the Sixth Form Café, online Encyclopedia Britannica access, a variety of equipment across the school from sports to 3D printers to radio microphones for musical productions and events.
The PTFA events held such as the Summer BBQ & Music Night are not just to raise funds but to form links within the East Barnet community.
Following the creation of the EBS cycle track, the only thing missing were bikes. The PTFA raised funds to buy a selection of bikes for the students to use. They even instigated the cycle club!
Traveling for sporting fixtures or local trips, is part of the student enrichment EBS. When our old minibus gave up, the PTFA created a direct appeal, and raised thousands for our new minibus!
We put on some amazing shows at EBS, but sometimes sound was becoming an issue. Step in the PTFA who provided radio microphones that were first used in The Little Shop of Horrors.
In this digital age, sometimes we have to adapt the way we make resources available to students. Although our Library remains very popular, being able to offer this 24/7 online resource is so beneficial.
We love to take photos of what the students get up to and to put all their achievements in EBS News and the End of Year Magazine, so we asked the PTFA to fund a new camera, and they did!
With more and more work being completed on computers, staff and students were quickly running out of data storage – step in the PTFA and we have lots of space now to keep creating!
Our Technology Department love to be at the forefront of the modern world, so when the opportunity arose to purchase a 3D printer, the PTFA were kind enough to help out!
The equipment at EBS gets a LOT of use, so when we needed some new hoops and repairs to some of our equipment, we were fortunate enough to have the PTFA for funding!
Robotics is a massive focus at EBS, and a great way for students to learn is through play and through these LEGO kits. They have proven to be very popular in student clubs – thanks PTFA!
With so many students to feed in such a short time, we had the bright idea of having an outdoor offering with sandwiches and cold snacks which has proved to be very popular with the students!
On the rare occasion the weather is nice, we wanted to provide the students with some more outdoor seating, and thankfully the PTFA were able to fund some new benches around the school.
EBS students learn in lots of different ways and we are keen to facilitate that. The PTFA were kind enough to fund some eReaders for students to read in the best way for them.
Following the annual general meeting that took place on 17th March 2022 I was voted in as Chair again following the resignation of Bobby Daruwalla who stepped down.
The last two years have been challenging as the PTFA have not held any fundraising events and recruitment opportunities have been difficult due to restrictions around Covid-19.
The key objective now is putting a new team together especially with the new intake of Year 7 Parents and Carers. The PTFA needs new talent and ideas and I believe volunteers who have students at the school make the best supporters. Parents and carers from other years are most welcome, the PTFA is an ideal way to stay connected with friends from Primary school days.
The “old guard” will still be on hand to hand over or discuss the various roles with the PTFA. Please look at the various fundraising appeals in this section and how we have had contributed to making students time at EBS that little bit more enjoyable.
If you want to get involved and hope that you do, please contact me at sgates@eastbarnetschool.com
Can you join us for our next PTFA Meetings?
The PTFA really needs the support of the entire EBS community if they are to continue to raise vital funds for our school through events and other fundraising means. For more information, please e-mail Stuart Gates at sgates@eastbarnetschool.com or speak to the PTFA Liaison, in the School Front Office. Thank you.
The PTFA regularly organise special fundraising events to raise money for new school equipment and initiatives. Check out our school calendar to find out about upcoming PTFA events. Check out EBS News for reports from previous PTFA events!
Our Open Evening will be on Monday 2nd October 6:00pm - 8:30pm. Sign up to get early information on what will be happening, plus, ask us a question - we are going to try and answer some at the speeches!