Running your PTA

2-8 June

Volunteers ' Week

This week highlights fantastic PTAs like yours and everyone who lends a helping hand to make things happen for your school community. You can thank old faces or encourage new ones to join, but at the very least take a moment to celebrate your achievements with your fellow volunteers. volunteersweek. org

8 June

National Best Friends Day

Friendship bracelets are a must for National Best Friends Day. If you want to make some for the children to buy and give to their besties, the materials are easy to get hold of, and there are lots of cheap kits to be found online for the children who would rather make some themselves.

9-15 June

Bike Week

The UK’ s biggest celebration of cycling! It’ s great for our own health and wellbeing and has a positive impact on the world around us. Your PTA can be a # BikeHero by fundraising for a school bike rack or road safety lessons for children wanting to cycle to school.

13-17 June

National School Grounds Week

This week focuses on the importance of outdoor play and learning for children, inspiring schools to think of new ways to use their grounds. How about running a literal school field trip to educate the children about the plants and wildlife thriving on the school grounds? Or if there isn’ t much greenery, how about a playground silent disco?

We spoke to St Julian’ s School PTA about building their brand-new adventure playground on page 28

15 June

Father’ s Day

Let’ s give a hand for the incredible fathers and fatherly figures in our lives. This also happens to be national beer day, so why not mark the occasion with a beer bottle tombola for the dads in your community?

18 June

International Picnic Day

Grab your gingham blankets, wicker baskets and some delectable treats for a whole-school picnic. You could make this a family event with food stands, games and ice cream. Maybe someone could be in with a chance of winning a yummy picnic basket filled with goodies?

21 June

World Music Day

Coinciding with the longest day of summer, this is an opportunity to celebrate the power of music. Mark the occasion with fun music-making workshops or incorporate a performance from local artists into your summer fair – it’ s sure to get everybody on their feet and feeling the rhythm! worldmusicday. co. uk

Check out page 23 to find out how Stocks Green PTA created their very own music festival!

29 June to 7 July

Children’ s Art Week

Encourage the kids in your community to get creative and express themselves. Set up a stall selling art supplies and crafting kits, or host a fair for young local artists to sell and showcase their work to your community.

Plastic Free July

Challenge your school to be part of the plastic pollution solution and avoid single-use plastics where you can this month. This isn’ t about being a perfect eco warrior – small steps make a big difference. plasticfreejuly. org

24 July

International Self Care Day

Take a moment to step back, breathe and relax on this day dedicated to looking after ourselves, both physically and mentally. Encourage your community to relax with an afternoon tea in the sunshine or organise an evening of pampering to help stressed parents unwind.