All About COMPAS
About the PTA
COMPAS stands for Community, Parents and Staff and is the Parent Teacher Association of Garforth Academy.
Who is a member of COMPAS?
As a parent/carer of a child at Garforth Academy you automatically become a member of COMPAS.
Why we are here?
A POTTED HISTORY
COMPAS means Community, Parents and Staff. As a PTA it has stood the test of time, and has experienced the usual ups and downs any organisation faces. Although there has never been a committee structure as such we have always had a Chair, Treasurer and Secretary.
There is a sort of mission statement, but not an exact constitution. We did once look at a constitution, when we considered adopting charity status.
COMPAS' main aim is to improve the relationship between school and the home - in as many different ways as possible. Its secondary aim has always been to be a pro-active group representing the Academy in the Community. With these two goals in mind we can split down our role into definite areas.
SOCIAL - events of a purely social nature, with 'having fun' the main aim. In the past we have done a wide variety of activities e.g. Race Nights, Hoe Downs, Casino Nights, Wine Tasting, Brewery Visits, Christmas Shopping Trips, Theatre Trips, and over a ten year period we also ran a Family Fun week - where all the family could take part in a variety of Outdoor Activities e.g. Skiing, Riding, Skating, Gliding, Karting ……
ACADEMIC - giving parents the opportunity to find out more about the Curriculum /Academic matters. In the past we have organised Exam Evenings and Open Department Evenings (where parents have been able to sample lessons). We currently run` The Essential Guide to Yr 11' Evening for parents.
In addition we also support a wide variety of school events where we assist with refreshments, act in a supervisory capacity or promote the Academy and the PTA.
COMMUNITY - working alongside different Community organisations / groups e.g. the Garforth Lions and Garforth Community Association. We have run many joint events with the Lions in the past, and always work together to host the O.A.P Party in December. We try to be at the Bonfire, Garforth Gala and the Switch On of Garforth Lights.
FUND RAISING - throughout the year we have our core fund-raising events e.g. Table Top sale, Car Boot & 500 Club. These give us the money to help Departments / Students when they make requests for a grant. We also help subsidise the College transport system. Small amounts of fund-raising are also done at our social events.
If we need to raise large amounts for specific projects, we have in the past held Auctions and Marathon Discos.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES - as a PTA we have always supported St. Gemma's Lottery. We also support other Charities by allowing them free table space at our fund-raising events.
This is a brief résumé of what COMPAS has been / is.
How does it work?
COMPAS is run by volunteers who attend PTA meetings and help to organise events, both in school and in the wider community. We also work closely with the Garforth & District Lions.
Everyone is free to contribute as much or as little as they like. For example, offering to serve refreshments at a Table Top Sale or selling raffle tickets at a concert helps share the load. Any assistance you can give at all is greatly appreciated.
COMPAS meetings
Meetings are held half-termly. Full details of meeting dates can be found on the COMPAS "Events" page or in the student planner.
We appreciate that not everyone is able to attend every meeting, and some people would prefer to offer assistance in other ways. However, it is worth ensuring that you are on the distribution list so that you are kept informed of what is happening.
If you would like to join the distribution list please leave a note in the COMPAS box with the information below:
1. title
2. name
3. address
4. telephone number
5. e mail address
6. student's name and form.
