Present: Simon Parson, Grant Lavers, Corrie Howes, Helen Barwick, Ruth McLeod, Penny Whatman, Trish Bray, Johnny Alessi.
Apologies: Tristen Cosgrove, Lesa Cooper.
2. Acceptance of previous minutes from the 13th September, 2011. (No quorum in October)
Moved: Grant Lavers, Seconded: Corrie Howes.
3. Business arising from previous minutes.
3.1 Tristen tabled a fundraising calendar for 2012. To coordinate with school funding and Year 6 fundraising. Various topics were discussed, including ruling out any future movie nights at the school. It was suggested we do only one fundraiser per term instead of per month, taking turns per term between the school and then the P & C so we are not continuously drawing money from the community. The disco is a great income earner and Soldiers Point Bowling Club is a great supporter. Simon said to keep in mind staff will be too busy to assist in anything towards the end of the year.
3.2 Trish explained how the lucky local’s card works and said of the $10 paid; $2.50 would go to the school. Simon said it was fine to go through the office and Trish explained they would be pre bundled per class.
Moved: Ruth McLeod, Seconded: Penny Whatman.
4. Correspondence.
4.1 In
Various Westpac correspondences given to Lesa
4.2 Out
None
.
5. Reports.
5.1 President’s Report. No report submitted.
5.2 Principals Report
5.2.1 Simon thanked the P & C reps who attended the Parent information evening for parents whose children will be starting Kindergarten in 2012. It was a successful evening and a good opportunity to promote both the school and the P & C.
5.2.2 This week and next week we welcome more than 50 pre-school students who will be participating in the school’s Orientation Program. They will join the existing students and undertake a number of literacy and numeracy tasks. This will be a further opportunity for them to familiarise themselves with the school environment.
5.2.3 Simon then urged all parents to complete the 2011 Parent Satisfaction Survey on the school website. It provides the school with valuable information about the school’s programs, routines, etc. Which we use to determine future improvements. Another survey will be made available shortly relating to KLA’s of science and technology.
5.2.4 We have commenced drafting elements of the 2012-2014 Strategic Plan, which I will confer with the SIFC at a future meeting. Priorities will remain focused on literacy, numeracy, technology, student well being and provision of a quality learning environment. There will also be a strong focus on teachers becoming familiar with and using the new syllabus when they’re implemented in 2014.
5.2.5 We continue to closely monitor our student numbers for 2012 which is always a very exciting undertaking. It is made a little more exciting this year as we are approaching the threshold for a fourteenth class.
5.2.6 The school has recently purchased four interactive whiteboards which means that each classroom is now fully interactive. The IWB’s are a terrific resource for teachers and students and have, we believe, supported student engagement.
5.2.7 D-G’s Award. The Tomaree Learning Community, of which SPPS is a member, recently received a DEC Director-General’s Award for the success of our Year 6 – 7 Transition Program. This is a wonderful result for our school community and testament to the time, thought and efforts of our local teachers.
5.2.8 With regards to the grounds, I have had a number of meetings with landscape architects and environmental engineers who are assessing the hydraulic situation of the site. They have site plans and are trying to ascertain what is permissible without involving council. Additionally I have lodged an application for a Regional Community Grant with Optus that if successful, will go towards the removal of the retaining wall on the top field and undertaking earthworks to create a better slope on the northern and eastern sides of the field. The estimated amount for earthworks is in the vicinity of $12,000.
5.2.9 School Crossing. A meeting took place on site with Pip Brock (parent representative), Geoff Dingle (Councillor), and representatives from PSC, RTA and police. Pip and I were able to raise our concerns pertaining to the environmental challenges and and wider use of the school’s crossing. Our case was heard and a number of officers were on site this afternoon to carry out a traffic audit to ascertain if it is viable to construct a raised crossing. I sincerely thank Pip Brock and Deb Holbert for their initiative with this matter.
Moved: Simon Parson, Seconded: Grant Lavers.
5.3 Treasurers Report. No report submitted.
5.4 Canteen Report.
5.4.1 The menu and pricing will be updated early next year. The extra food is selling out and the roster system is working well.
5.4.2 Parents are using staples on lunch orders, an OH&S issue. Grant will put a note in the newsletter.
5.4.3 Simon congratulated the committee regarding the inspection by council of the canteen, very complimentary.
Moved: Penny Whatman, Seconded: Helen Barwick.
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.
5.8.1 Good Food Distributors have offered a rewards card with a bar code specific to the school P & C and will calculate a monetary return of 2.5% of the total spend payable to us monthly. This credit could be redeemed through credited purchasers for food sold in the canteen, or purchasing other products for P & C fundraising, i.e., Welcome BBQ, Bunning’s BBQ fundraiser. Cards can be issued to any interested family and promoted in the P & C report in the newsletter. All agreed to go ahead and apply.
5.8.2 Johnny suggested an Arts & Crafts Market on school grounds once a month that did not conflict with other local markets. An invitation to interested stall holders could be promoted by flyers to other markets, local paper advertisements as well as the NSW Fairs and Markets Guide. Stall holders would be required to provide a copy of their public liability insurance and pay a stall rental fee dependant on space required. The P & C could operate the canteen as a cafe on the day which could double as a site office where fees are paid and insurance copies are held. The P & C can also sell space and day insurance to people wishing to sell garage sale items, crafts, toys and other goods on a one off basis. Insurance companies offer day insurance at rates between $10 and $50. It would be worth getting a quote from the P & C’s current insurance provider about this kind of coverage. Site and toilet cleaning would be paid for from income. Market supervision could be a paid position with volunteer assistance from P & C members.
Markets like The Junction and Olive Tree markets would be ideal. Would we consider paying someone to manage eventually as volunteers are scarce? Ruth worried if stall holders can’t drive up to school they won’t be keen. We have a big enough population base in the area. Anna Bay does a car boot sale once every two years. A Market Day would be a logistical nightmare to run, marketing, logistics, insurance etc. We should go and speak to people who run existing markets as we want high end only.
5.8.3 No firm commitments as yet from local businesses, Johnny & Corrie to write further request letters for financial assistance.
Moved: Johnny Alessi, Seconded: Ruth McLeod.
6 General Business.
6.1 Corrie asked why all sub-committees don’t submit minutes from their minutes. All agreed all sub-committees are to submit minutes in future.
6.2 Ruth advised that Port Stephens Council are pulling back on costs and advised they were running public workshops, one being held at Soldiers Point Bowling Club on the 29th of November that she will be attending. Her main interest was Parks, Reserves and Playgrounds.
6.3 Simon asked about the Celebration Day assembly, Penny advised the canteen would be happy to do tea and cakes.