We are the Friends of Ton Yr Ywen

Email : friendsoftonyrywen@gmail.com
Facebook @FriendsOfTonYrYwen
Instagram @friendsoftyy

The FOTYY are a group of parents, school staff and local community members who volunteer together to provide fun events for children and families, and raise much needed funds for the school. Their mission is to:

• Form effective relationships between parents/carers, staff and all members of the school community - working together to make the best possible environment for the children.
• Improve the learning experiences for the children, by raising funds through engaging events and activities that offer fun and enrichment to the school community itself.
• Model inclusivity and celebrate diversity, to promote sustainability and the value of community

The main function of the FOTYY is to support the school to enhance and improve the learning experiences for the children, by raising as much money as they can, through events that offer fun and enrichment.

Success story

The FOTYY run loads of fun, inclusive and educational events throughout each school year, for the school children, their families and the local community. From providing refreshments at school concerts and events, to the Easter Egg hunt (who’s dressing as the bunny this year?), from the pre-loved book sale, where every child receives a free book, to the grown-ups shopping event (think pressies and prosecco); from the pizza party where we welcome new families to the school, to the Summer Festival where we all let our hair down and celebrate with our entire school and local community – the FOTYY are always working to raise funds to support Ton-Yr-Ywen Primary School and to add their own unique moments of fun and community togetherness to the brilliant work already being done by the school staff. And just look at how successful they’ve been so far! Thanks to the brilliant support of the school community, in the 2023/24 school year the FOTYY raised a whopping £9,992 from their events and initiatives! 

In-line with their mission and governing document, the FOTYY work in collaboration with school staff to identify key strategic ways to invest money raised right back into the school and its pupils. Over the past 18 months, some of the things they’ve funded include:

• The lovely mosaic outside the school gates
• Reading book sets for all years
•  Flasks for forest school (hot chocolates all around please!)
• Coding and robot equipment for Nursery to Year 3
•  Mistar Urdd toys to encourage Welsh learners (da iawn pawb)
•  iPads for each class to enable parents to see what their children are doing in the classroom via Seesaw
• A PA speaker and Bluetooth microphone headsets for school events
•  Commando Joe’s equipment, enhancing outside learning for all years

They also subsidised Years 1 to 6 visit to the Sherman Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” and a visit from Santa for Nursery and Reception. And they don’t just provide financial support. And they don’t just provide financial support. They’re a hands-on bunch and are happy to pull up their sleeves and get involved. Over the October half-term, a group of FOTYY volunteers worked together to turn the Reception outside area into a messy play and herb-growing haven.

Who are the FOTYY?

The FOTYY is a registered charity and is managed by a small Trustee team who also all play active roles in the running of the organisation itself. The FOTYY don’t have a set meeting schedule but meet depending on the demands of the events. This is usually about twice a term, with the odd online planning meeting in between, as well as an AGM. Meetings can take place at school, in someone’s house, online or in the
pub!

You can contact the FOTYY at friendsoftonyrywen@gmail.com or ask to be added to one of their WhatsApp groups (see more info below). You can also visit the FOTYY Padlet which has lots of information about how to join the FOTYY, how to support them financially upcoming events, past newsletters and lots more here.

The FOTYY need you!

The FOTYY are a small team and rely on new volunteers to be able to carry the load of a busy fundraising event schedule.

We know there are many of you out there who want to support the FOTYY and the School, but are worried about the time and effort this might involve. That's why the FOTYY have introduced FOTYY Lite - we want as many people from our school community to get involved with the FOTYY as much or as little as they're able to. By joining our FOTYY Lite WhatsApp group, you stay informed of everything the FOTYY are up to. All they ask in return is that you share messages with your year groups and let them know if you have any time or expertise to volunteer if and when you are able.

At the same time, as a registered charity, the FOTYY do also have to have a formal group of members. Being a FOTYY Member is less intensive than you might think and is a fun, sociable and rewarding way to be more involved with the School community and inform the decision making process within the FOTYY.

Easy wins for our school

There are a few initiatives which mean you can easily support the FOTYY and the school without barely noticing. Have a look at the information here about how to support the school via the FOTYY Numbers Club, by donating unwanted uniform or by making FOTYY your chosen charity to support at Easyfundraising. They’ve even got offers for you to save money with Stikins and Stamptastic!