Welcome back!
We hope everyone had a lovely half-term! It’s hard to believe how much we’ve already packed into this year. Thank you to everyone who has supported, volunteered, baked, donated, carried boxes, sold tickets, or simply shown up. We’ve had a brilliant start, and there’s plenty more fun ahead this term. Before we jump into all the events we have to look forward to, we wanted to take a moment to share a recap of how FROGS generates funds and some of the ways those funds are used throughout the year
Recap of Funds Raised in the 2025/2026 School Year
You’ll see in the pie chart below a snapshot of where funds have come from so far this year. From the Winter Fair and Jumble Sale to our school merch, discos, cinema nights, and cake sales, every slice of that chart represents time, effort, and generosity from our school community. These events only happen because parents and carers give their time, skills and resources. When you volunteer, you’re not just helping for an hour, you’re helping make real enrichment opportunities possible for every child.
A note from our last meeting
At our most recent FROGS meeting, we reviewed current fundraising totals, confirmed plans for upcoming events and discussed how best to allocate funds to support school wellbeing and enrichment programmes. As always, all parents and carers are welcome to attend FROGS meetings. Fresh faces, new ideas and extra hands are always appreciated.
(Full minutes available here)
What FROGS funding makes possible
Two recent examples of how your fundraising directly supports the children:
Yoga Workshops
As mentioned in the school newsletter, the whole school took part in relaxing yoga sessions during Children’s Mental Health Week. Sessions focused on breathing, body awareness, and positive affirmations, giving children practical tools to help them feel calm and focused. It was wonderful to hear how much the children enjoyed it, and we’re proud that FROGS funding helped make it happen.
Apollo Music Programme – Year 4
Year 4 are taking part in the Apollo Music programme, a six-session experience led by professional quartets who work closely with pupils through interactive workshops. Children experience live classical music up close, develop listening and concentration skills, and explore how music can positively impact wellbeing.
The programme also includes two special trips: one to see a chamber orchestra perform and another in July to the Hackney Empire to experience a full symphony orchestra. These are powerful, memorable experiences that many children may not otherwise have access to, and they’re exactly the kind of enrichment your fundraising supports.
Recent Events
Our recent Cinema Night was a huge success, raising an incredible £600 on the day through snack and drink sales. This fundraising is expected to double thanks to an employer’s matched-funding scheme. In addition to (hopefully!) securing the matched funding, Caroline also organised the entire event, and we are so grateful for the time and effort she put into making it happen.
Corporate matched donations are a brilliant way to multiply the school’s fundraising efforts. If you work for a larger company or somewhere with corporate social responsibility schemes, it’s well worth checking whether your employer offers matched giving. It can make a remarkable difference for Grasmere’s children.
Cinema Night was the perfect way to brighten up the winter with cosy films, popcorn and plenty of onesies. The vibes were relaxed and joyful, and it was so fun to see the children enjoying time together indoors with friends. Thank you to everyone who helped set up, serve snacks, tidy up, or joined in the fun. Community magic in action!
And congratulations to Year 3, whose cake sale raised £273.42 for their class treat! Many thanks to all the parents and children who supported the cake sale!
What’s Ahead
Pub Quiz – Don’t Miss It!
Our annual Pub Quiz is coming up soon on Wednesday, February 25th, and tickets must be purchased in advance. It’s always a brilliant evening full of laughs, friendly competition and excellent company. We’re still looking for a few volunteers to serve chilli. Volunteers can sign up here. Tickets can be purchased here.
Year 2 Cake Sale
Year 2 will host its Cake Sale on March 13th. Please support if you can by baking, buying, or both! It’s a small event that makes a big difference, and the children always love seeing their efforts contribute to something meaningful.
Jumble Sale
The Jumble Sale is on the horizon (March 21st) and is always one of our biggest fundraising events of the year. It’s a fantastic opportunity to declutter, donate, and grab a bargain. Keep an eye out for donation drop-off details and volunteer sign-up information. This event makes a significant contribution to our yearly total, so every bag of donations truly helps.
Thank you for your support!
As a reminder, you can always support FROGS and our work via Easyfundraising. Easyfundraising partners with over 8,000 well-known retailers, including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, John Lewis, and Amazon. When you start your shop on their website or app, the retailer donates a small percentage of your purchase to FROGS. The donation comes from the brand, not your pocket. You can also make donations directly via PayPal or KindLink.
As always, thanks to all our volunteers, none of this would be possible without you!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas about how FROGS can best support our community. Wishing you all a smooth transition back into school!