Present: Simon Parson, Ruth McLeod, Paula Browne, Grant Lavers, Corrie Howes, Tristan Cosgrove, Lesa Cooper, Liz Richards, Penny Whatman, John Alessi, Michelle Chesworth.
Apologies: Kylie Screen.
2. Acceptance of previous minutes from the 8th March, 2011.
Moved: Grant Lavers, Seconded: Paula Browne.
3. Business arising from previous minutes.
3.1 Paula advised that the additional canteen day is doing well. The first few didn’t cover her costs but that last two have. The muffins and macaroni cheese has sold out and Paula is really happy that the kids are embracing the healthier alternative. Having to cook 4-5 plates of pikelets on Thursday as well as soup etc. Penny stated that we’ll make a much higher profit on the home made product as the margin is better, but the most important thing is the food is much healthier which is the main aim. The P & C federation has advised that students are covered under Work Cover. All that is required is a signed permission note from parents, support from Simon, no use of knives or scissors, no hot food handling and the must be aged 10+. It was agreed that it would be a fantastic sense of responsibility for the students, it would help their maths and Paula enjoys having the students in there. The P & C have no issue with the students handling money. Simon assured us that there would be lots of students keen to assist. Asked for a note with a job description emphasising things like ‘no hot food handling’ and ‘handling money’. Paula suggested training sessions and would like two students on a Thursday; perhaps have a photo menu with prices. Limit to Year 6 and perhaps train Year 5 in term 4.
3.2 Liz is trying to tee up another designer for the playground. You normally pay for quotes but someone else has agreed to quote free of charge if they can tie it in with another job in the area.
3.3 Samantha advised that scarves weren’t sold much in the uniform shop so we need to remove from the price list. Everyone agreed people just buy their own. Simon stated that the uniform standard is slipping; the uniform policy is a P & C policy, not a school policy. Liz suggested a midterm report from the P & C. It’s about “pride”.
3.4 P & C contribution to reading resources was made quite difficult due to no fundraising being done so far this year. Lesa advised that we don’t have the requested $8,600 in the canteen account and we need at least $4,500 as a buffer as well as expenses plus the canteen wish list needs to be considered. Lesa asked if we could make term by term contributions as easier for us to budget. Simon stated the school has already purchased some, advising they are about $800 per series. Penny suggested we offer $800 per term. Simon advised in his 11 years at the school the costs of utilities/water/phones has sky rocketed and asked if we could approach businesses to sponsor resources. Lesa suggested we could donate $1600 to cover the first two terms and we could look again later in the year. We should advertise the Bunning’s BBQ as a reading resource fundraiser and we need to organise another fundraiser besides the Bunning’s BBQ.
Moved: Lesa Cooper, Seconded: Penny Whatman.
3.5 Corrie nominated John Alessi in the role of Fundraising Convenor. No other nominations were put forward. Accepted by all.
4. Correspondence.
4.1 Various Westpac correspondences given to Lesa.
4.2 School Banking Pack from the Commonwealth Bank.
5. Reports.
5.1 President’s Report.
5.1.1 Tristan said that since he became President at the last meeting he has learnt that we have a tight-knit fantastic team supporting the school for the benefit of all children and teachers.
5.1.2 On the 17th May he emailed Joe Gleeson at Port Stephens Council about the footpath and speed humps. Joe replied on the 31st May saying that an announcement about the footpath is near and they will look at traffic calming. He noted that Grant had already been in discussions with council and the matter of the footpath was progressing already.
5.1.3 On the 17th May he emailed Craig Baumann about funding for additional classrooms and a library with no response to date. Simon and others will gather further information to assist him in pursuing this matter.
5.1.4 Tristen asked Simon if we could purchase the borrowed fridge for the canteen and he kindly responded that we could use it indefinitely without purchase. Paula has commenced her additional day in the canteen and he looks forward to her and the canteens continued success. The P & C purchased a stockpot and four muffin pans for the canteen. The canteen still requires a food processor.
5.1.5 Tristen thanked Ruth for meeting up with him over coffee to help him get up to speed.
5.1.6 On the 3rd of June Tristen went to Port Stephens Packaging to negotiate the purchase of larger items at cost or a reduced rate now that we will purchase more products from them.
5.1.7 On the 7th of June Tristen visited Bunning’s regarding the fundraising BBQ booked for the 11th September. Paperwork to follow and we will need to provide proof of Public Liability Insurance.
5.1.8 On the 8th of June after a fantastic team effort, the P & C lodges an application for Volunteer Grants 2011 for $5,000 in expenditures for the canteen. Soft and hard copy provided to the P & C and canteen committee. Bob Baldwin is going to write a letter of support.
Moved: Tristen Cosgrove, Seconded: Corrie Howes.
5.2 Principals Report
5.2.1 The term continues to progress well although we are mainly in the classrooms due to the wet weather. The students and teachers have been particularly resilient with the rain limiting time out of the classroom. Activities such as Footsteps and the Antarctic workshop in Stage 3 have provided a pleasant interlude. Indeed 2W were very progressive this afternoon as they built paper boats to sail on the water pooled on the games court.
5.2.2 The teachers are currently preparing student reports that you would appreciate takes a great deal of time on top of their teaching day, particularly when moderating work samples with other teachers to ensure consistency. Reports should be sent home in sealed envelopes on Tuesday 28th.
5.2.3 The Tomaree Learning Community continues to evolve with our schools working closely on a number of projects. A team of teachers and executives have recently drafted an anti-bullying policy which will be common to all TLC schools and hopes to share it with us soon.
5.2.4 Our transition programme has been a strong focus of the TLC over the past few years and is now very well orchestrated between the schools. We are now in the action phase of our transition into and from the school.
· The Stage 3 teachers are preparing students for the Year 6 to Year 7 transition. There is often a lot of administration required and it’s important that parents provide the requested information promptly.
· Parents wishing to submit an application for the CAPA or Academic Extension class at THS in 2012 will need to submit by 2.00pm this Thursday, June 16th.
· Tomorrow will be the first of the students’ taster lessons at THS, which will be followed by Gala Day later in the year.
· We’ve also been getting enquiries and taking details of 2012 Kindergarten enrolments, details of the transition is on the school’s website.
· I remind families that we will be offering two inter-relate course here on Monday 27th June. “Where did I come from?” (Years 3 & 4) and “Preparing for puberty” (Years 5 & 6).
5.2.5 The SRC will be holding Crazy Hair Day on Friday July 1st.
5.2.6 Term 3 will commence for staff on Monday July 18th, and for students on Tuesday July 19th. The programme for the SDD will include workshops on differentiation, numeracy and strategies to support boys’ and girls’ in their schooling. Time will also be dedicated to organisation of the Term ahead.
5.2.7 Education Week will be held in Week 3, August 1st to 5th.
5.2.8 I sincerely thank the P & C and the wider Soldiers Point community for continued support. The recent Canteen Rescue drive has been a telling example of the wonderful support this community offers. SPPS ranked very well overall which was an outstanding effort.
Moved: Simon Parson, Seconded: Ruth McLeod.
5.3 Treasurers Report.
5.3.1 Lesa reported the P & C fund is currently $3,733.33, the float for the movie night not cashed yet. The profit was banked into the canteen account. Paula will advise profit for the movie night.
5.3.2 The Uniform account stands at $3,501.41.
5.3.3 The Canteen account stands at $8,629 and the term deposit at $36,000. Lesa stated that we have just agreed to give the school $1,600 for reading resources and have also assisted the school with an Air Conditioner, plus purchased a Stockpot and muffin pans.
5.3.4 Paula wants time to think about going permanent part time and will discuss next meeting.
Moved: Lesa Cooper, Seconded: Corrie Howes.
5.4 Canteen Report.
5.4.1 Paula advised that we have swapped from Nestle to Streets now. We have also changed to Bidvest as a supplier due to costs. The meal deal on crazy hair day will also get free entry into a draw for the Streets beach towel.
5.4.2 The current canteen wish list main priority is a set of saucepans and a food processor. Everything else can wait for now. Everyone in attendance approved the purchase of these items.
5.4.3 Can we get an asset/equipment register for the canteen?
Moved: Tristen Cosgrove, Seconded: Penny Whatman.
5.5 Uniform Report. No report submitted.
5.6 Ground Committee Report. No report submitted.
5.7 SIFC (School Improvement and Finance Committee) Report. No report submitted.
5.8 Fundraising Committee. No report submitted.
6 General Business.
6.1 Simon confirmed to Ruth that there was now space at the school for P & C paperwork storage.