THIS band of parents and school staff members has been named the best new parent and teacher group in Wales.

The Duffryn Infant School PTA has worked tirelessly to raise cash and help the school since it started in October 2009, raising £2,000 in its first year.

In recognition of that, the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA) gave it its new PTA of the year award for Wales.

“We felt it was a significant achievement because of the area and particularly during these times,”

said Jane Lewis, chairwoman of the Duffryn Infant School PTA group and mother of three children who go to the school.

The NCPTA described this group as a truly remarkable example of the difference a brand new PTA can make. The judging panel said the PTA group made a demonstrable impact on the school and proved its ability to engage with parents.

Ms Lewis said the group was not just about raising funds, with the PTA helping parents become more involved in school life and even organising a community event about nits. The PTA has also organised summer and Christmas fetes and organised film clubs and discos for the children.

“It’s about giving children extra experiences in school that they might not otherwise have,” said Ms Lewis.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Hard work pays off

IT MAY not be the oldest parentteachers’ association around, but it is obviously making its mark.

For this year, Duffryn Infant School PTA was named New PTA of the year for Wales in recognition of the impact it is having on school life.

Formed in 2009, the group of parents and teachers is being recognised for making real achievements in a short space of time.

The award by the National Conferedration of PTAs rewards the effort the group has put in raising money for the school that it otherwise wouldn’t have.

In its first year it raised an impressive £2,000.

And more than that, the setting up of the PTA has involved parents much more closely with the school, which has had the knock-on effect of enabling the school to provide new activities such as film clubs and discos, Christmas and summer fetes.

The teamwork is no doubt beneficial to all involved, but the real beneficiaries are of course the Duffryn Infant School pupils.

Congratulations all round.