The Friends of St. Pauls (FOSP)

The Friends of St. Pauls (FOSP)

The Friends of St Paul’s (FOSP) primary focus is to help enhance the quality of our children's educational experience, build a strong community and make memories! We do this through organising events and activities to raise funds. As a parent or carer of a child at St Paul’s C of E Primary School you are automatically a member of FOSP and so we welcome you to support FOSP and the school in the following areas:

• to help and support at FOSP events throughout the academic year
• to attend FOSP meetings and contribute to ideas regarding how funds can be raised
• to make suggestions and decisions on how the money is used to benefit school
• raise money while you shop using EasyFundraising and Amazon Smile (details below)

In 2021/22, despite the continued challenges of Covid, in particular the cancellation of the Christmas Fair (the biggest fundraiser), FOSP raised over £6,500 through the generous donations and support of the school community.

Look out for our news and updates in the school newsletter, Facebook (Friends of St Paul’s School) and Twitter: @FOSPYork. We’ll also try and keep you informed with emails and WhatsApp but please feel free to contact us or come along to a meeting to find out more –

everyone is welcome!

We look forward to working with you.

Team FOSP

Email: fospyork@gmail.com

Social Media:

Facebook: Friends of St Paul’s School

Twitter: @FOSPYork

Here are some really easy ways to help FOSP if you are doing any online shopping:

easyfundraising

easyfundraising is a website that partners with over 7,000 brands who will donate part of what you spend to a cause of your choice. It won't cost you any extra. The cost is covered by the brand.

Brands pay a commission because when you start your shop from the easyfundraising website or app, they can see when it originated from. If you make a purchase, a commission is generated, and that is turned that into a donation to FOSP - easy!

How it works:

1. Visit https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/
2. Search for Friends of St Pauls – York
3. Click support this cause
4. Create an account and raise money as you online shop!

AmazonSmile

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support a charity of your choice every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.co.uk on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping App for iOS and Android phones. When you shop with AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as amazon.co.uk, with the added bonus that AmazonSmile will donate a portion of the purchase price to your selected charity.

1. Visit smile.amazon.com.
2. Sign in with your Amazon.com credentials.
3. Select your charity - Search for: Friends Of St. Pauls School, York

Registered Charity No: 1111254

Kate Godfrey – Co-Chair of FOSP

Hello - I have 2 children currently at St Paul’s, Charlie and James, both somehow in Key Stage 2 now.

Until this year I’ve helped out at FOSP a bit but have mainly benefited from everyone else’s hard work! So 2022/2023 is my first year as co-chair and I’ll be learning the ropes as I go – but I am definitely looking forward to helping to support all the wonderful students at school and meeting more parents and carers.

I work full time as an environmental consultant (so might not be on the playground pickups as much as I’d like) but I’m always at the end of my phone and can be easily persuaded to the Fox!

In my spare time I love getting out into the country or coast with family and friends, enjoy a good meal and attempt some exercise when the motivation is there!

Please say hello if you see me and let me know any ideas or questions.

Jo Mensah - Co-Chair

My children joined St Pauls Primary in May 2021 after we relocated to York. Our introduction to the wider school was the scarecrow trail which we loved! From the beginning we were struck by how welcoming and supportive members of the St Paul's Primary community are and I have been particularly thankful in how this helped my daughters settle into their new school.

I started to attend FOSP meetings to help out and as a way to meet other parents and to have a natter over a cold drink in the Fox; FOSP are a friendly bunch! Like Kate, 2022/2023 will be my first year as Co-chair. I’m really looking forward to the challenge and doing my best to support the wonderful opportunities that FOSP helps to create for the children of St Paul’s. Furthermore, I’m always keen to explore new ideas and to hear your views and suggestions on how we can develop FOSP further; so please, don’t hesitate to grab me for a conflab at drop off/ pick up, or even better, at the Fox during one of our FOSP meetings.

Rachel Drutman – Treasurer

I'm mum to Abby and Heidi, both at St Paul's and joined FOSP in June 2020 as Treasurer. I had previously worked in payroll for many years and still love a spreadsheet.

I was a full time mum to the kids from 2017 until the end of 2021. I enjoyed 3 months of peace and quiet after Heidi started school in September 2021. Then, in January 2022 I was lucky enough to start a role as Office Administrator in the school office and have been thoroughly enjoying that ever since.

I enjoy working on my very poor attempts at DIY and seeing friends and family in my spare time.

Being part of the FOSP team is great, it is so rewarding to hear the children getting excited about an event or seeing their faces taking part in a Jubilee obstacle course! I am fairly easy to catch on the playground most afternoons, please feel free to talk to me or the team about anything FOSP related.

Tom Mitchell - Secretary

I started as FOSP Secretary in June 2022 and can be found on the school run daily with my two girls Beatrix (Y3) and Felicity (Class R). I love to help and I am excited to work on anything that can make a positive difference to the children and school. School staff and the childrens’ families have been very welcoming, it has been a pleasure meeting some lovely new people.

I am also now Chair of Governors at the school and when not on my way to and from school, in The Fox, drinking coffee, or outdoors with the children, I spend my spare time as a consultant employment and commercial solicitor.