Present:Simon Parson, Ruth McLeod, Brendon Wilson, Grant Lavers, Liz Richards, Kylie Screen, Helen Barwick, Corrie Howes.
Apologies:Penny Whatman, Lesa Cooper, Paula Browne, Julie Milton.
2.Acceptance of previous minutes from the 12th October, 2010.
Moved: Grant Lavers, Seconded: Ruth McLeod.
3.Business arising from previous minutes.
3.1Photographs were given to Ruth to discuss with Newcastle School Portraits the “show teeth” issue. Ruth said she was happy to talk to them before next years photographs were taken.
3.2Lesa has provided a calendar of expenses for the P & C requiring $3500 minimum. She hopes to provide one for the canteen next meeting.
3.3Grant reported to date he had five expressions of interest for the first aid course so the minimum number had already been achieved. Simon assumed that if it was held on a weekend staff and working parents would be able to attend.
3.4Brendon said he was hoping to make the Kindy info night after Sydney. Liz said she was happy to do the P & C spiel and Corrie said she would attend and assist. Simon confirmed the showbags have been completed.
3.5Pens and invitations have been given to Brendon for the Year 6 graduation.
3.6Simon said the junior choir has been practising for the Carols by twilight at Salamander Shores. No contact made yet with Simon, Brendon to contact Dom and ask him to provide Simon with a programme. Julie Fradd was leading the choir. Dom is happy for us to run and draw our own raffle on the night. Corrie said she’d be happy to run it. Corrie to email Liz updated list of prizes for the raffle.
3.7Helen suggested we had recycling for cans etc. Next fete.
3.8Can Liz please email Grant questions we’d like feedback on for the Fete survey monkey. We could put in an optional field for a mystery prize, add photo’s too.
3.9Seva and Penny are all organised for the volunteer coffee morning.
3.9Ruth will arrange the acquittal process for the community grant cheque.
4.Correspondence.
4.1Various Westpac correspondence given to Lesa.
4.2National Pen iinvoice given to Lesa.
4.3GIO Workers Compensation update form given to Lesa
5.Reports.
5.1President’s Report.
5.1.1Brendon stated that the Year 6 pens have arrived and are with Mrs Milton.
5.1.2You would have seen in the newsletter a thank you to Salamander Bay Recycling for generously donating $500 for a new BBQ. We purchased one from BBQ’s Galore at Maitland and they kindly offered $100 of a $699 BBQ, so the P & C only had to contribute $99.It’s a group size 6 burner with wheels. It requires assembling, perhaps a job for the working bee.
5.1.3Brendon has sent a letter to Bunnings regarding our requested date for the Saturday before Fathers Day as our annual fundraising BBQ date.
5.1.4Simon suggested we donate the old BBQ back to the Recycling Centre. They only asked for a mention in the newsletter and a thank you letter – Brendon to action.
Moved: Brendon Wilson, Seconded: Grant Lavers.
5.2Principals Report
5.2.1Simon said the school had recently linked two surveys to the school website and was encouraging parents to complete both the mathematics and parent satisfaction surveys. To date there has been 18 visits. Findings from both surveys will be in the Annual Report and will be used for guidance in making future decisions.
5.2.2Communication is an ongoing challenge for the school so they have provided a flyer to outline the procedures of contacting teachers/staff members for us to review and give feedback on. Simons plan is to provide it at the Information Sessions early 2011.
5.2.3Simon stated that the student population for 2011 continues to fluctuate, so once again they will return to their 2010 classes for the commencement of 2011. Predicted population for 2011 is in the high 330’s.
5.2.4BER update – The administration block and car park progress has been excellent. Simon has had quotes to install air conditioning in the admin block in the vicinity of $15,000 for the first stage and is looking at staging the installation over a number of years to make it more affordable. Additionally quotes for homebases 3 & 4 are approximately $5,500 for the two classrooms. If agreed Simon would like to go ahead in preparation for summer. This would include the donation from the canteen.
5.2.5All teachers have recently completed their emergency First Aid certificate for another year.
Moved: Simon Parson, Seconded: Ruth McLeod.
5.3Treasurers Report
5.3.1Projected expenses for the P & C only for 2011 is $3,500. Lesa will provide the same for the canteen hopefully next meeting.Brendon noticed the Year 6 pen amount should be spread over 3 years.
5.3.2Closing balance in the P & C fund at the end of October is $2,814.07.
5.3.3Closing balance for the canteen account is $9,030.78. Corrie stated that the canteen is very keen for the Winning Appliance voucher to be utilised sooner rather than later. Liz to approach a manufacturer, ie. Westinghouse, to gain a further discount. Also need to get quotes for fitting, perhaps ask in newsletter for electrician parents and tell story of how voucher won at fete returned to school by a winning grandparent. Ruth suggested a skills audit of parents at the school like a “yellow Pages”.
5.3.4Closing balance in the Fundraising account is $38,628.24. Brendon and Lesa to invest $35,000 in a term deposit. Liz concerned staff and students were impacted by fete fundraising. Simon and Helen assured her it was fine, as it was all going to the same place.
Moved: Corrie Howes, Seconded: Grant Lavers
5.4Canteen Report. No report submitted.
5.5Uniform Report. No report submitted.
5.6Ground Committee Report. No report submitted.
5.7SIFC Report. No report submitted.
5.8Fete Committee
5.8.1Corrie stated that just the donation letters left to go out. Based on approximately $38K plus $500 ea for the Winning Appliance voucher and the Recycling Centre donation we are close enough to have raised $40K. Liz stated that the most important thing now is to keep everything in writing, document our winning formula as chocolates and tea towels don’t make the big money. We need to have this information to pass onto the new parents.
5.8.2Liz also keen to promote Lucky Locals at $10 for a card as it was mainly small business that gave their all for the fete.
5.8.3Letter from the P & C to the SRC regarding the fete given to Simon.
Moved: Liz Richards, Seconded: Ruth McLeod..
6General Business
6.1Corrie advised we are all signed up for a $300 donation for anybody that mentions the school when applying for a loan at Newcastle Permanent. Corrie to supply details to Grant.
6.2Simon advised that the Ethics in School programme was written for teachers to teach, Not cleared as yet but at the doorstep of the minister to clear. Very aggressively driven by NSW P & C. Majority support, but some are uncomfortable with the subject matter. Simon said response he had from Stage 3 was very positive, trying to tackle value based issues and trying to accommodate ethics within SRE (Special Religious Education). We want to see a programme. Tackling other religions in Stage 2 currently, opens up an amazing dialogue talking about other religions.
6.3Simon provided a brochure on “Fun French for Kids” asking us to ascertain interest from the community. Class suggested at the school next year as 3.00 – 3.45pm $90 for a 10 week term. This would cover all insurances etc.. Minimum 6 – Maximum 20 students. EOI details to Grant, Simon to put in the newsletter.
6.4Unanimously agreed on giving $2,500 towards air conditioning from the canteen account.
6.5Playground update – Simon said we are in the process of consultation. Liz contacted another landscaping company and they require a site survey. Simon having trouble accessing one, he’s been in contact with the DET. Simon perusing site plans. Full concept plan assessment required, then get quotes per item and plan by stage. Full concept plan is a priority in consultation with staff, parents and student community. The current consensus is the bottom corner as next stage of building going down there, hence a natural flow. It can also go a fair way up the hill. Staff has completed a questionnaire on the impact on play space/building. First stage = survey. Second stage = Concept Plan. Third stage = Independant quotes after consultation. It was asked who would be driving this, the P & C or the school. Simon said it would be done in consultation. Current equipment could be sold or relocated, we could only have a teacher to supervise if we get a 14th class next year as all teachers currently busy with other duties.
Committee to be responsible as quotes come in with expertise in required fields. Simon suggested the Grounds Committee manage this. Brendon said we will expand next year. Liz suggested we open up to the community for volunteers.