What is the HSA?

Alton Infant School Home School Association (HSA) is a charitable organisation set up to raise funds in support of the school. We plan and deliver events throughout the year to help raise funds to pay for items, experiences and activities which enhance the children’s learning. The HSA committee consists of Co-Chairs: Gemma Urquhart and Hannah Nicholson, Treasurer: Gemma Kingswell and Secretary: Kat Guenioui. We also have lots of wonderful volunteers.

Why does the school have an HSA?

The main function of the HSA is to support the school by raising as much money as we can to enhance, enrich and improve learning experiences for the children. However, our association is about much more than simply fundraising. The HSA exists to provide closer links between home and school and it is an excellent way to bring staff, parents and friends together socially in support of the school, working towards a common goal. It’s fun too - just ask any of the Committee members or volunteers. All parents and members of the school community are encouraged to get involved, even if they only have a small amount of time available.

HSA events

The HSA put on many events across the year to raise funds for the school, and we are always looking for fresh ideas! Some of our popular events include:

• Christmas Fayre
• Sponsored litter pick
• Wonderful Women sale
• Marvellous Men sale
• May Fayre

We rely on the help of our wonderful parents, teachers and friends to run these events.

What is HSA money spent on?

In the last year, HSA funds have gone towards:

• Christmas gifts
• A visit from Mill Cottage Farm
• Contribution towards the following school trips: Marwell Zoo Harold Hillier Gardens, RHS Wisley
• Incubator and chicks - to allow children to observe chicks hatching
• Caterpillars
• Education City (Software subscription)
• Twinkl (subscription)
• 5-a-day (subscription)
• PhonicsPlay (subscription)
• Charanga Music
• CompletePE
• Washing machine

Getting involved

We welcome any help from parents, teachers and friends, and have a growing list of volunteers who commit some of their time to helping the association. Even if you have younger children at home, or only a small amount of time, could you come to a meeting, help set up an event, fold raffle tickets or design a poster? Perhaps you have a professional skill you could help us out with? Or an idea for an exciting new event? If school hours don’t work with your schedule, many of our volunteering tasks can be done from home, in your own time.

Contacting the HSA

You can contact the HSA via email: altonhsa@gmail.com or leave a message with Mrs Hobbs or Mrs Beaumont in the school office, and we will get back to you.

Ways to raise money for the HSA that won’t cost you a penny!

Use these companies when you buy online and the PTA gets paid commission:

Use easy fundraising when you shop online at a huge range of retailers to earn us cashback. These donations may be small but they add up to make a huge difference. You can find our easy fundraising page at www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/aishsa

There seems to always be a never ending need to label clothes and belongings that get taken into school! When you use Stikins to purchase your name labels we receive 30% cashback. These labels are really great and can be used on virtually everything, from uniform to lunchboxes! Visit www.stikins.co.uk to order, being sure to add our code, 526