Present: Simon Parson, Corrie Howes, Tristen Cosgrove, Belinda Lavers, Rob Richards, Penny Whatman, Liz Richards, Ruth McLeod, Joy & Gabrielle Shotter, Ursula Nagel.
Apologies: Lesa Cooper, Helen Barwick, Kylie Murchie.
2. Acceptance of previous minutes from the 12th June, 2012.
Moved: Penny Whatman, Seconded: Rob Richards.
3. Business arising from previous minutes.
3.1 Rob advised we are all set to go with the slope behind Mrs Wildman’s classroom. Bunning’s cheapest for supplies so far. Rob will set up the string lines Saturday, Tristen Clive & Rob will start 10am Sunday. Need all hands on deck at working bee after storm.
3.2 Story time on September the 5th will need reps from uniform shop and canteen at 2.15 for new parents. Belinda and Corrie confirmed they will be available.
4. Correspondence.
4.1 In
Westpac correspondence given to Lesa
Volunteer recognition program letter from Craig Baumann.
4.2 Out
None
.
5. Reports.
5.1 President’s Report.
5.1.1 Tristen thanked everyone for helping the school to win Run Around Australia (RAA) campaign. It’s very exciting and the school will benefit greatly from the cash and prizes
5.1.2 The Tomaree Music Festival was fantastic and Tristen is sure all who attended enjoys it as much as they did.
5.1.3 Tristen has asked the school, the Uniform Shop & Canteen what they need at this time and they include; The school – technology such as iPads, laptops, IWB for the library (last room without one), 3 external hard drives, concrete slab for a water tank, a covered walkway between Stage 1 classrooms and toilets, a robust garden bed behind the School building block and four table/chair settings for the playground. The SIFC met on 1st August and recommended the winnings of RAA be allocated as follows; The $15,000 cash be spnt on 10 x Apple iPads 32G w/ covers ($6,400), Apple Protection ($800), a 16 port IQ traveller storage and charging facility ($1,800) = $9,000, and an IWB for the library ($6,000 was $4K). The $15,000 from Educational Experience will be shared relatively equally amongst the three major stages, although skewed towards Stage 1, teaching staff will be actively involved in the selection of items. The canteen requests; vacuum sealer $400, Pie Warmer $530, 4 in 1 cafe grill $200, coffee machine $100 = $1230. A slushie machine was also discussed but will need more investigation first. The Uniform Shop has no requirements. New hours and prices implemented with no negative feedback to date.
5.1.4 The robust garden bed will be paid for with the proceeds of the school disco. Work will be undertaken on the 19th & 26th August.
Moved: Tristen Cosgrove, Seconded: Ruth McLeod.
5.2 Principals Report
5.2.1 Simon started by introducing us to Joy Shotter, the new Chaplain who has been at the school for a few weeks now. He thanked Ruth for being involved in the selection of Joy. It was noted that whenever she comes into the school people gravitate to her straight away. Joy has already established some great relationships with students and parents, with parents introducing her to other parents. Joy advised hers was a pastoral role but support for the children was paramount. Simon said it was great to have Joy as a new set of ears and empathy a magic ingredient. Joy is stoked, thinks SPPS is a great school with great staff and she found it easy to slip in. Joy also thanked the P & C for our support. Joy assured us that despite her Christian faith she was very aware of cross denominations through to no faith at all and can easily work well with that. Joy is also enjoying getting to know the students and enjoys working with Matt Clements the school counsellor. Simon pointed out that his role has to be very ‘black & white’ at times with things like court orders and Joy can be a support to the students. Joy will be with us for the next 2 ½ years, we can reapply again after this if the Federal Government continues funding.
5.2.2 Simon thanked the whole Soldiers Point community for the amazing support of the RAA initiative. The additional educational resources will add greatly to both the teaching and learning of students as well as some valuable equipment and training for the canteen and wider community.
5.2.3 Simon also thanked the P & C for their support with the school athletics carnival held earlier in Term 3.
5.2.4 Simon hoped many parents could attend the Tomaree Music Festival, he was very proud of the students performances and grateful for the teachers committed efforts.
5.2.5 Simon encouraged all parents to become familiar with the Gonski report as it is one of the most significant reviews in education. He has offered to show us a short video at the next P & C meeting.
5.2.6 Another significant item is the implementation of the Australian Curriculum in NSW schools, the timeline for implementation is a strong focus on professional learning throughout 2013 and beyond. Implementation will begin from 2014.
5.2.7 Our P-K and 6-7 transition programs are well under way with an excess of over 70 students on our database for Kinder 2013. Potentially the largest Kinder we’ve ever had. This may have implications if we are required to recruit an additional teacher.
5.2.8 It is Book Week next week with a number of activities including our Annual Book Fair, an author visit, and the assembly with the character parade.
5.2.9 The school open day will be held on Friday 31st August which will include an assembly, classroom visit, BBQ lunch and walkathon.
Moved: Simon Parson, Seconded: Belinda Lavers.
5.3 Treasurers Report. No report submitted.
5.3.1 Corrie asked Tristen to remove the Assistant Treasurer ad in the newsletter. Lesa will be resigning at the end of the year so we need to recruit a new Treasurer and get them trained.
5.4 Canteen Report.
5.4.1 Paula advised the canteen was going well, just lacking in volunteers especially on Fridays.
5.4.2 Hot dog meal day was a great success with $773.85 profit, helped along by the free bread met by the Bakers Delight voucher. Year 6 workers continue to be a delight to work with.
5.4.3 A pre order Meal Deal note was sent home yesterday for the Education Week sausage sizzle, adults and children are encouraged to pre order and we will have extra to sell on the day. All pre orders will be sent down to the classroom.
5.4.4 Paula purchased new chopping boards and a much needed rack to store them for $100 last week. Last month 2 Schafer Dishes were purchased for $80 each. It has been established that the canteen can purchase items it requires under $200 without prior approval of the P & C.
5.4.5 Paula has asked us to consider a third pie warmer to cope with the volume of orders we process on a Friday as it can be hard to get food up to temperature which could become a health issue. Cost $566 from Unicut. All agreed to go ahead with this purchase immediately.
5.4.6 Paula also asked us to consider a vacuum sealer to keep food airtight and cut down on storage requirements. Cost $390 and bags are $42 per roll. All agreed to go ahead with this purchase at the end of Term 3. The coffee machine ($100) and 4 in 1 grill ($200) was agreed to be purchased in stages over Term 4.
5.4.7 We also discussed several slushie machine options, most companies unhelpful with information and support regarding product, costs and maintenance. Even if ‘Healthy Kids’ endorsed, they still contain preservatives, ie. 220 (Sodium Dioxide) that can cause asthma, rashes and destroys Vitamens A & B; 202 (Potassium Sorbate) that can cause asthma, hay fever, headache, skin irritation, stomach upset and hyperactivity; not including the colours. Need far more research done.
Moved: Penny Whatman, Seconded: Ruth McLeod.
5.5 Uniform Report.
5.5.1 Current account balance id $2,588.56. After August expenses $1,499.11. Everyone seems to be happy with the new opening times, no one has missed Thursday. We currently have lots of stock on the shelf.
Moved: Belinda Lavers, Seconded: Penny Whatman.
5.6 Ground Committee Report.
5.6.1 Liz gave Rob the contact details for Georges Road timber for the sleepers as they should deliver free.
5.6.2 Will be relocating the large sign up near entryway.
5.6.3 Would like to do a hazard reduction burn in the far S/East section of the school, but due to a protected species of ;Swamp Mahogany’ we will have to burn in the middle section.
Moved: Ruth McLeod, Seconded: Corrie Howes.
5.7 SIFC (School Improvement and Finance Committee) Report. Minutes from 1st Aug submitted.
5.8 Fundraising Committee.
5.8.1 Tea Towel fundraiser has achieved $1,478 profit against $3,818 sales. (Includes the $60 sold at this meeting). These funds are earmarked for funky furniture primarily for Stage 3.
5.8.2 Ruth handed all the paperwork to Corrie, Corrie to write procedure.
Moved: Ruth McLeod, Seconded: Tristen Cosgrove.
6 General Business.
6.1 Run Around Australia – Liz would like to do thank you certificates perhaps using the Bec Duffey illustration (Corrie to check she has it) Liz will draft. Also a letter of thanks to the community in a letter to the Editor of the Examiner.
6.2 Liz asked if the local elections will be held at the school this year as the local hall is closed. Liz suggested we hold a sausage sizzle and cake stall to raise money. Get new parents to help out.
6.3 Ursula said that Chef Laurent was coming on the 31st August. We will get a corflute cheque, and they will make sorbet in the Thermomix for everyone. As it is open day we asked if Chef Laurent could come on the Thursday instead as Friday will be far too busy for Paula. Ursula will confirm.