SOLDIERS POINT PUBLIC SCHOOL P&C ASSOCIATION
MINUTES FROM MEETING HELD ON 21 SEPTEMBER 2010
1. Welcome - Present and Apologies
Present: Simon Parson, Ruth McLeod, Brendon Wilson, Grant Lavers, Penny Whatman, Corrie Howes, Liz Richards, Tim Gippel, Pamela Gallagher.
Apologies: Lesa Cooper.
2. Acceptance of previous minutes from the10th August, 2010.
Moved: Tim Gippel, Seconded: Penny Whatman.
3. Business arising from previous minutes.
3.1 Brendon stated he sent an email to Graham Valler with no response to date. He thanked him for coming and reiterated the reasons we need the library and rooms despite knowing Graeme cannot influence the outcome.
3.2 First Aid Kit update for the canteen – Penny Whatman confirmed they only have a basic kit. Paula doesn’t have a current first aid certificate. Brendon said we need to get her into a course, they only cost approx. $95 for a day. Penny stated that as people within the school are trained it shouldn’t be a necessity, but not a bad idea for Paula to be qualified. Brendon said we should go ahead anyway and Ruth suggested she do it through the school holidays, we pay for her time and the course. Brendon encouraged the Newcastle course due to more scope. Liz to advise regarding her contacts, are there minimum numbers and would parents be interested.
3.3 Regarding Lesa’s question on Insurance renewal, we opted to increase cash and property to $10K due to the fete.
3.4 The uniform shop has now reimbursed the P & C.
4. Feedback regarding which photography company to use.
4.1 The majority of people did not want to change as the looks historically from previous years bothered most. All agreed that feedback to Newcastle essential. Liz Richards was unhappy with hers and they re shot and photo shopped for her free of charge.
5. Correspondence.
5.1 Various Westpac paperwork previously given to Lesa.
6. Reports.
6.1 President’s Report.
6.1.1 Brendon thanked everyone for their wonderful efforts, planning, staff, kids, everyone on the day and afterwards, “Thank You”.
6.1.2 Simon, Brendon and Mark Newling had a good chat with Craig Baumann on the day. He’ll go back and talk to his shadow minister. He has a fund he could hopefully apply to for the library. Mark has followed up last week to go towards the slush fund for the playground in the vicinity of $400K. Already closed but we may have got in. Simon also followed up but it had closed. Simon confirmed we are now on a mailing list so we won’t miss out in the future.
6.1.3 Liz asked how we could get the figure we raised at the fete matched. Brendan said with the lead up to the election we will keep in contact, show current library and demountables and will keep chipping away at him. Simon stated that Craig Baumann is shadow minister and may shoot across and have a look. A little bit more heat than we can apply.
6.1.4 Brendon reminded everyone regarding the Coles sporting vouchers and encouraged everyone to get behind it..
6.1.5 Brendon confirmed that the Year 6 graduation pens have been ordered, about $400 for three years worth.
Moved: Brendon Wilson, Seconded: Ruth McLeod.
6.2 Principals Report
6.2.1 Simon thanked the P & C for their outstanding vision, organisation and execution of the highly successful school fete. It successfully rekindled a wonderful community spirit and the feedback has been positive and Simon has started to collate some feedback from the staff for us.
6.2.2 Simon shared a letter from the SRC with us. They thanked our efforts beautifully, adding we must have had a lot of persistence, organisation and resilience to get everything done. They congratulated the P & C and all the parents who helped.
6.2.3 With regard to the creative play space, he has applied for a grant through the DET under the Premier’s Sporting Challenge and will hear back late in October.
6.2.4 Our P - K transition is well under way with over 30 children in attendance. Simon thanked the Kindy teachers for hosting the pre-schoolers, our captains Harry & Brittany for giving the parents a school tour, Kim Roberts & Belinda Lavers for their support & advice for the parents who visited the canteen, a YCDI workshop and information about uniforms.
6.2.5 The Kinder Parent Info Session is Tuesday 16th November at 6.00pm Simon invites us to attend and finalise the documentation.
6.2.6 The Tomaree Learning Community 6-7 transition was recognised earlier this term by ther Regional Director at the Education Week Ceremony. It’s progressing well, with a gala day this Thursday hosted by THS where the students get to experience more taster lessons.
6.2.7 .Simon invited a P & C member to attend the Year 6 Graduation to assist. The P & C has traditionally given the pens in the past
6.2.8 BER _ Progress has been much better due to the dry weather, the framework is largely in place and he envisages we’ll see a lot of development now. Currently pricing air conditioning installation for the new admin block.
6.2.9 NAPLAN results have been strong again in 2010.
Year 3 |
Strand |
School |
State |
|
Reading |
86 |
72 |
|
Writing |
89 |
83 |
|
Numeracy |
75 |
60 |
Year 5 |
Reading |
65 |
57 |
|
Writing |
61 |
65 |
|
Numeracy |
70 |
57 |
6.2.9 This year as part of our annual review process we are evaluating mathematics with a survey. We will ask parents and students to provide feedback on this KLA. Next term it will be on the school website as well as a Parent Satisfaction Survey online.
6.2.10 The SRC would like to support UNICEF purchasing a school in a box. Their idea was to hold a pancake day early in Term 4. Can the P & C assist? Penny suggested that this was to be held on a Tuesday or Thursday.
Moved: Simon Parson, Seconded: Grant Lavers
Tim Gippell asked if the $2 1/2K Eco funding could go towards the playground. Simon advised that it could, that is why we’ve applied for an extension. Eg. Slippery dip into earth surrounded by native plants.
Liz said there is a local designer who is doind really well who is contemplating doing free work to lift his local profile. Simon said he was happy to put a sign on the fence.
6.3 Treasurers Report (presented by Brendon in Lesa’s absence)
6.3.1 Lesa apologised for being absent due to Dion being away again.
6.3.2 Currently checking on interest bearing accounts for the fundraising money. Piggybacking off BER may save a bit of money, but if we are not ready, lets wait.
6.3.3 Balance Sheet of Fundraising account as at 21/9/10 $35,735.21 with more incomings and outgoings expected.. P & C account $3590.89
. Moved: Brendon Wilson, Seconded: Penny Whatman
6.4 Canteen Report.
6.4.1 Wrapping up for the term, Paula away due to operation but she is doing well.
6.4.2 The council came through for an inspection unannounced and the Health & Safety Officer was very impressed and we were issued with a certificate. There was nothing we needed to improve on and we were the only school in the area that had OH & S procedures in place.
6.4.3 Having a meeting in the holidays to review the summer menu. Currently quite low on volunteers
Moved Penny Whatman, Seconded Ruth McLeod
6.5 Uniform Report.
6.5.1 The P & C has been paid back. Possible price increase from major supplier of shirts, jumpers etc, so a possible price increase coming.
Moved Brendon Wilson, Seconded Tim Gippel.
6.6 Ground Committee Report.
6.6.1 Penny requested a November working bee for a tidy up before school holidays.
Moved Penny Whatman, Seconded Grant Lavers.
6.7 SIFC Report. No meeting held.
6.8 Fete Committee
6.8.1 Liz stated the fete was an outstanding success with the culmination of over a years work by many people was worth every minute and was a true community event. Although final figures aren’t in yet, it looks like we’ve raised over $35K but this could approach $38K.
6.8.2 Teamwork was the major reason for success. Liz particularly thanked Ruth for her exceptional organisational skills and amazing ability to delegate and communicate. Liz also thanked Kylie Screen whose exceptional skills in publicity and corporate sponsorship contributing to the day being seen as a very professional event. Liz then thanked Simon Parson and Julie Milton for their commitment and ongoing support. Lastly everyone involved with the P & C and the Fete Committee, it is difficult to name everyone.
6.8.3 Liz has learnt over the past year that many parents are very keen to be involved with the school but different circumstances can prevent them from participating in the more traditional areas of involvement. Getting to formal meetings is one of the more difficult things to commit to. Our P & C should continue the great work Grant Lavers has done to improve our website, but also develop a database of parents email and mobile numbers so we can keep in touch with our parent community more. It would also be beneficial to form a local database of local business contacts. Perhaps having class parents to share information within their child’s class, including social events.
6.8.4 Liz was also impressed by how many friendships were formed between parents and families during fete preparations, selling raffle tickets or working together on a stall..
6.8.5 We Local business sponsorship was a successful part of our fete and we should continue to foster these relationships. Liz suggested that whenever possible, we should, as a school community, always support these businesses in the future.
6.8.6 Our goal to source as many sponsors and donations helped us to achieve such a great result, especially in promoting the fete with exceptional flyers and posters.
6.8.7 We would like to sit down next term to discuss what was and wasn’t successful in terms of fete planning, finalise financial planning and ask stall holders what they needed. We could make a checklist so we can pass on our successful formula to parents in the future.
6.8.8 Liz was thrilled by the community spirit by advising the person who won the Winnings Appliance Voucher in the raffle has returned it to the school to purchase something for the school/canteen. Liz to look into BBQ & Stove. Penny asked that the stove be a priority.
6.8.9 Salamander Shores will hold Carols by Candlelight, they need a choir. Perhaps not possible due to new policies, can Simon approach the legal branch?
Moved: Liz Edwards, Seconded: Ruth McLeod
6.9 Website
6.9.1 Grant advised that we are experiencing 40 people a day in traffic, on average 10 or more new unique people per day.
Meeting closed 9.20 pm.
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