ST ELPHEGE'S PTFA

Dear Parents, Carers and Friends of the school,

Over the last decade, St Elphege’s has been in a very fortunate position to be able to maintain and run two minibuses. Our current minibuses are nearly 20 years old. All schools have an exemption from the ULEZ charges; however, this exemption is due to expire at the end of this academic year. The maintenance costs due to the age of the minibuses combined with the ULEZ charges will mean unsustainable costs in order to continue their upkeep. 

Last academic year, the minibuses went on approximately 150 trips benefiting every child in the school. They are used each week for sporting fixtures, curriculum events, swimming, quiz team competitions, farm excursions, choir events, donation drop offs, class trips and mass to name a few! They have enabled St Elphege’s to attend extra-curricular events such as athletics, football and choir in which our children excel. The buses also enable children to go on a multitude of valuable academic trips which aid the faith and spiritual development of all the pupils. 

Over the next year, the children and staff of the school will be participating in a number of sponsored events and challenges which aim to raise enough money to buy new minibuses. Children will be taking part in the ‘School Superzone’ where they will be encouraged to be as active as possible. They will be given a booklet to record their activity and will be competing against other classes to be the most active. Some of the other tasks/challenges being undertaken are:

• Mr P Jones will be running the London Marathon (26.2 miles) on Sunday 21st April. 
• Over the course of the 3 months leading to the London Marathon, every child in the school will be encouraged to run 26.2 miles or more and be as active as possible by using the School Superzone booklets. 
• Teachers and children will be encouraged to only drink water whilst using new St Elphege’s branded water bottles which each child will receive. 

The children, staff and wider school community will be extremely grateful for any donations and sponsorship towards our new buses which will benefit many thousands of children into the future.   

Thank you for your continued support. 

Yours sincerely,

Mr L Hawkes

Headteacher