Bishop Wordsworth's School Parents' Association (BWSPA)
The BWSPA exists to raise funds for non-budgeted items that will benefit the lives of the BWS students and to provide a social framework for the parent body.
It is a charity, managed by a board of Trustees, supported by a wider group of parents involved in various fundraising initiatives. As a parent or guardian of a student at the School you are automatically a member of the Bishop Wordsworth’s School Parents’ Association (BWSPA). Our fundraising is guided by requests from the school, but we prefer to support objectives that will be used by most, or all, of the pupils.
In the past we have raised money towards a Mac suite for the Music Department; basketball hoops in the playgrounds; machinery for design/tech and many more. This year we have been able to fully fund a new minibus for the school, and we are now fundraising to replace the outdoor table tennis tables.
Here are four ways you can help us, and in turn help your children:
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Support our events. We host a variety of social and fundraising events through the year, starting with skittles evenings for Year 7 students and culminating with a summer outdoor theatre production. By supporting those events, you are supporting your children.
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Join the 1000 Club. This is a monthly lottery – for a small monthly subscription, you are entered into a draw and can win cash prizes. The surplus money subscribed goes into our funds.
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Donate old uniform. One of our biggest sources of funds is the sale of secondhand uniform, which happens at a series of sales through the year. We are always on the lookout for stock – so if you son has grown out his uniform or sports kit, don’t throw it away! It can be left at any time at the school office where we will collect it and make it available to a new generation of students – all while boosting the funds available to help the school.
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Volunteer your time. If we had more volunteers, we could host more events. You don’t have to sit on a committee or make a big commitment of time – but just offering to assist at an event or two during the year would really help us. Of course, if you are more committee focused, that is helpful too – in particular, we are really looking out for a vice chairman to help us this year. We hold committee meetings once per term and any BWS parent is welcome to attend those meetings.