Parents and Friends Association

Thorncombe St Mary’s warmly encourages a family environment as we know children learn best when there are strong relationships between home and school. The PFA meets regularly to discuss ideas that they can organise for our children, parents and staff. They provide support to the school in many ways and ensure the children have extra benefits and opportunities such as:

• New books and subsidised creative learning activities

• Resources for Early Years 

• Christmas lunch and annual Christmas pantomime

• Pancakes to celebrate Shrove Tuesday

• Year 6 SATs breakfasts and Leavers’ Hoodies

Our PFA organises fundraising and social events including bake sales, charitable non-uniform days, school discos and activities around Christmas and Easter. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the PFA organised an online pantomime for the children and gave each family a copy of Captain Sir Tom Moore's book, One Hundred Steps, with his inspirational and hopeful words. 

Since then we’ve been delighted to see the resumption of the PFA’s participation in school life. The whole school has enjoyed outdoor fun with airborne coloured paint during a sponsored Colour Run and a wonderful afternoon of Christmas craft, cake decorations and film. Our Year 6 had any pre-test nerves eased thanks to special SATs breakfasts served in school. Thanks to the PFA, children in Pippin, particularly those in Early Years, can now select audiobooks to play on our new Yoto Player, just one way we promote a love of books and stories! 

Through their work, the PFA plays a key role in fostering the school’s relations in the wider community, for example: parent wreath making; participation in the ‘Angel Host Festival at St Mary’s Church; refreshments for inter-school Cross Country; and events at Thorncombe Sports and Social Club.

Prospective new members (parents and friends of school) are always very welcome to join the next PFA meeting for a friendly and worthwhile get together. To get in touch, please contact 01460 30535 or thorncombeoffice@acornacademy.org