Acceptance of previous minutes – 11 September 12 - Ruth
Business arising from previous meeting/s -
· Notification of Events Form – Corrie has advised that the Federation of Parents and Citizens confirmed the form must be filled in for all events “no exceptions”.
Correspondence - In/Out
In Westpac correspondence given to Lesa
Letter from Craig Baumann acknowledging receipt of Tristen’s letter, following up on building funding and demountables.
Letter from Peter Riordan on behalf of Adrian Piccoli acknowledging receipt of Tristen’s letter, following up on building funding and demountables.
Letter from Faye Johnstone on behalf of Port Stephens Mayor responding to tristens enquiry regarding traffic calming progression.
Information pack from Craig Baumann re 2012 Community Partenership Program (guidance notes)
Out Email to Craig Baumann’s office regarding local schools local decisions and our building attached.
Email from Tristen to Maret Hegh at Veterans Affairs asking for progress on the ANZAC Grant application submitted several months ago. Nil response so far.
Reports
President – Tristen spoke to Council again regarding traffic calming. There has been a change of personnel and he has been advised that there is no approval for same. Letter tabled into correspondence.
Tristen advised he is ready to apply for a building grant from NSW 2012 Community Building Partnership program. It was determined that a quote of sorts is needed to do the application and he will liaise with Sean and Rob to apply for an “Amphitheatre style outdoor learning area” and incorporate the principles of the Creative Playspaces ideology. This way we can utilise the funds (should we be successful) and apply them directly to a portion of the project that is most suitable (depending on size of grant). Grant to ask Lesa about liability insurance.
Garden beds looking very nice due to working bees, thank you to parents.
Principal – A big thank you to the wider Soldiers Point Community for supporting the Walkathon, which is now up around $6000 in funds. This will go along way to support the technological resources in the school. Incentive prizes will be out in a few weeks.
NAPLAN results are very solid. A great reflection on the teachers and parents of students also, and of course students. We have identified a number of areas for growth and improvement. There are always a few little areas that can be worked on like volume for instance. Newsletter has a small amount of feedback regarding NAPLAN in it this week.
A number of programmes for 2013 –
Interrelate for stage 2/3. A very worthwhile programme although it has gone up in cost this time to approximately $25. There is an expectation of a minimum attendance. All agreed to book in the sessions.
Footsteps, also likely to be term 1. All agreed to proceed.
2012 Parent Satisfaction survey will be ready to send out by direct email about wk4. Survey Monkey and Zoomerang have merged so a few things to finalise there.
Creative Playspaces is up on SPPS website. Consultation is requested prior to the next SIFC meeting 7 Nov will see a move on the progress. The solar schools grant was successful and will be used for the water tank part of the play area, but we were not successful in the Mine Safety Grant Application.
Reminder about the parent information session on Tuesday 30th October, an opportunity to showcase our P&C and canteen.
Seconded – Ruth
Treasurer - Nil
Canteen Committee - Nil
Uniform Committee – As tabled. Seconded - Tristen
Grounds Committee - Nil
School Improvement & Finance Committee (SIFC) – Last meeting was cancelled with no quorum however as discussed earlier the Creative Playspaces information has been uuploaded to SPPS website and feedback is welcomed from all interested parties so a decision can be made at the next meeting. Kylie will be an apology for the 7 Nov meeting but perhaps Rob could chair it? All agreed to a time change for the rest of the year to 3.30 pm as it suits most better than the latter time slot we had through winter. Kylie will send out agenda and minutes a week early as she will be interstate. Seconded - Tristen.
Fundraising Committee – Tristen covered details in President’s Report (potential funding through Community Partnership Grant), and Walkathon discussed in Principal’s report, as were another two grant results.
General Business
· Teacher presentation NSW Teachers Federation (New Business) Lauren Shand and Sharon Egan. Tristen welcomed the teachers and they gave a brief presentation regarding whether the Local Schools Local Decisions (LSLD) has been derived from money or education viewpoints. Caps and cuts have been delivered to our local schools through Special Education Units and the resources will be stretched further. Loss of face to face time will occur. School staffing entitlement is likely to also be negatively affected. The state wide guarantee for staffing will change in accordance with the student numbers and curriculum requirements. The flexibility offered in the package is still yet to be fully disclosed or determined and whilst it can be a very positive thing in some circumstances, it can also have a myriad of negative effects so teachers are keen to know the extent of the “grey areas” with regard to staffing entitlement.
· Community entitlements currently in place should be maintained if not improved and the Teacher’s Federation is hoping to ensure a guarantee that this occurs and accountability is ensured. Teachers would appreciate support of parents for the “Putting Students First” Charter and urge all parents and citizens to go to the website www.puttingstudentsfirst.org.au, and raise your concerns with : your local MP, Craig Baumann, and/or Minister for Education: [email protected]. They may also contact the O’Farrell government to stop the changes on www.localcuts.com.au, because every child deserves a quality education.
· Staff and interested parents should note a “Community Day of Action” will be held in Sydney at Tumbalong Park on Sunday 18 Nov 12, and there will be one closer so please be aware that we need to be heard to make changes for our school. Thank you to the girls for their presentation, they raised a lot of questions that need to be answered by our government.
Meeting closed at 8.38.
Next meeting - 13 November 2012.
(Please note Corrie will be overseas so will need someone else to take minutes)