Happy New Year from Royal Rise PTA!
We hope you all had a wonderful festive season and managed to sneak in some well-deserved rest between the present-wrapping marathons and endless turkey sandwiches!
A Huge Thank You
Before we dive into 2026, we want to say a massive thank you for everything you contributed over the past year, you made it all possible.
We know the festive season is busy, expensive, and often a bit chaotic (understatement of the year?), so we really appreciate every bit of support, big or small. You're brilliant, and our school community is all the stronger for it.
As we start this shiny new year, we wanted to reach out with some gentle ways you might want to stay involved with the PTA – without any pressure, obligation, or guilt trips. Promise!
100%
Community Spirit
Thanks to all of you
0%
Pressure
Absolutely none intended
We're All in This Together
Here's the thing: we all want Royal Rise to be the absolute best it can be for our children. That's why we're here, right? But we also know that life is busy. Between work, homework battles, after-school clubs, trying to remember which child needs their PE kit on which day, and the never-ending laundry mountain, finding time to "get involved" can feel like yet another thing on an already overwhelming to-do list.
So let us reassure you: supporting the PTA doesn't have to mean a huge commitment. You don't need to chair meetings, organise events, or suddenly become a fundraising superhero (though if you fancy it, we won't say no!).
The brilliant truth is this: if everyone helped just once a year – or even less – it would make a massive difference without putting pressure on anyone. Imagine that! A little effort from lots of people creates something wonderful for all our children.
Whether you've got five minutes or five hours, whether you're handy with a spreadsheet or prefer to stay behind the scenes, whether you can pop along to one event or just want to know what's going on – there's a way for you to be part of our school community that works for your life.
Ways to Support (Without Taking Over Your Life!)
Give Your Time
Even just once
Stay in the Loop
Know what's happening
Shop & Raise with Easyfundraising
No extra cost to you - mad I know, more on that below!
Other Support
If it works for you
Let's explore each of these in a bit more detail, shall we?
1. Time & Involvement (Honestly, It's Not Scary!)
Right, let's clear something up straightaway: you absolutely do NOT have to be "in" the PTA to help out. We're not a secret society with membership cards and special handshakes (though that does sound rather fun...).
Throughout the year, we need regular volunteers to support the school in lots of small ways. This might mean helping at one event – maybe selling cakes at the Summer Fair, or manning the tombola at the disco. It might mean doing something behind the scenes, like designing a poster, sorting donations, or spreading the word about an upcoming event on the class WhatsApp group.
Perhaps you've got a particular skill or idea you'd like to share? Brilliant! Or maybe you just fancy being involved occasionally rather than regularly? Also brilliant! The point is, even the smallest contributions matter enormously.
We'll always let you know when opportunities to help come up, and there's never any obligation to say yes. But if you can, when you can, we'd love to have you. Even just once makes a real difference.
2. Stay in the Loop (Without the Overwhelm)
We’re setting up a Royal Rise PTA unknown link to make it easier to share updates in one place.
This isn’t a general chat or a place for day-to-day conversation. It’s a simple updates channel where we’ll share key information, ask for volunteers when we need a hand, and flag upcoming events or dates to know about.
There’s no expectation to reply and no constant back-and-forth. You can just check in when it suits you, see what’s happening, and decide if you’d like to get involved.
It’s an easy way to stay connected to the PTA without committing to meetings, long emails, or busy group chats — just the essentials, in one place.
Join Our Updates Channel
📱 Scan the QR code below or click this unknown link https://chat.whatsapp.com/HAhp2tqiDOX3ZiViDI42LO
Updates only – no need to reply or engage unless you want to!
3. Easyfundraising (Free Money, Basically!)
Now, here's something properly brilliant that costs you absolutely nothing but raises money for our school: Easyfundraising.
If you haven't heard of it before, here's how it works: you shop online as normal (we're talking big names like Amazon, eBay, Argos, John Lewis, Tesco, Booking.com – literally thousands of retailers), but you start your shopping journey through the Easyfundraising website or app. When you make a purchase, the retailer makes a small donation to Royal Rise PTA. You don't pay anything extra. Not a penny. It's genuinely free money for the school.
We know it sounds too good to be true, but honestly, it works!
All you have to do is head to easyfundraising.org.uk head to 'find a cause' and type in Royal Rise PTA to find us. You can then create an account and start shopping, it really is that simple. Once you've shopped, the brand you've shopped with will donate to the PTA, free of charge!
4. Financial Support (Only If It Works for You)
One-off or regular donations (completely optional)
If you’d like to support the PTA financially, some families choose to make a one-off or occasional donation, or a small regular contribution.
If this is something you’d like to do, please email us at [email protected] and we’ll share the PTA bank details with you directly.
There’s absolutely no expectation to donate, and any amount is appreciated.
Workplace and employer support
As Royal Rise PTA is a registered charity, some employers offer charity donations or matched giving schemes.
This might mean your employer matches a donation you make, or supports fundraising efforts through a workplace scheme. It’s worth checking if this is available to you, as it can make a big difference.
If you own your own business too!
No Pressure
Financial support helps us fund events and resources for the school, but it’s always optional.
Whether you’re able to give now, later, or not at all, being part of the school community is what matters most.
We’re grateful for support in whatever form it comes.
Hey , if you even read to the end of this newsletter you are a hero in our eyes!
If you'd like more information about charitable giving or matched funding, just drop us a message and we'll be happy to help. But please know that non-monetary support – your time, your ideas, your presence at events, your encouragement – is every bit as valuable. We mean that.
Every Little Bit Helps (And We Mean It!)
Whether you can volunteer once a term, join our updates channel, use Easyfundraising when you remember, share your skills occasionally, or simply cheer us on from the sidelines – it all makes a real, tangible difference to our children's school experience.
The PTA exists to enhance what Royal Rise already does brilliantly. We fund those "extras" that make school life richer and more exciting – new library books, outdoor play equipment, theatre visits, technology upgrades, and those special experiences that create lasting memories.
None of this happens without you. Not the committee. Not a handful of "super parents". You. All of you. Our whole wonderful, diverse, busy, imperfect, amazing school community.
Here's to 2026! 🎊
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this newsletter. We know you're juggling a million things, and we genuinely appreciate you giving us a few minutes of your attention.
Here's to a fantastic 2026 for all our Royal Rise families. We've got this! 💜
With gratitude and optimism,
The Royal Rise PTA