Present - Tristen Cosgrove, Kylie Murchie, Belinda Lavers, Simon Parson, Natasha Donnelly, Rob Richards, Vicky Williams, Liz Richards, Helen Barwick, Kylie Screen, Corrie Howes, Jo Banner (Shoal Bay Public School).
Acceptance of previous minutes – 13 November 12 - Tristen
Business arising from previous meeting/s & New Business -
Tristen stated that the ‘Ethics Classes in Schools’ program is currently being done in Shoal Bay Public School. If we want it, it must come from the P & C, aimed at students that opt out of scripture. Each state runs individually. It’s a combined health and PD program. Coordinator Anna Fey. Currently recruiting teachers to volunteer, currently not enough teachers to cover all the children. Space is also an issue. At Shoal Bay, due to space parents have to opt for either scripture or ethics. It’s lessons are ‘Fair Society’ based, relating to current issues, asylum seekers, human rights etc. Current scripture numbers have improved, we don’t want scripture kids moving across to ethics. It’s an online course, also require police checks, working with kids etc. Training in February in Newcastle, $12 per person.
Moved: Natasha Donnelly. Seconded: Kylie Murchie.
Donation from P & C to school of $4000 to go towards the Engineering report for the concept plan re water issue. Unanimous.
Moved: Tristen Cosgrove. Seconded: Corrie Howes.
Simon hopes for adjusted playground plan for the area next to the library by Dec 14. The ultimate goal is $12K in funds to install water tanks and plumbing to existing games court.
SIFC – Priorities are area just outside of games court, water tank, P & C funds and grant funds should be a priority.
Liz Richards asked the P & C and teachers to consider tonight the ‘Parents Representative’ plan. There would be a rep for each class and require a contact list for each class. Start in Kindy. Liz has researched thoroughly and it’s worked well in other schools, i.e. Coogee Public School. Liz asked Simon to talk to teachers and advise if they have any negative thoughts about it. Rep to liaise with class teachers and help develop social contact lists. Kylie suggested we just start with Stage 1. Simon said the concept of building a community is fantastic, as long as it doesn’t create work for the teachers. Liz has a disclaimer covering that. Liz will arrange a presentation for a staff meeting as if the teachers don’t embrace the idea it is a waste of time. Liz asked that goals for the P & C be put on the next agenda.
Correspondence - In/Out
In Westpac correspondence given to Lesa
Out None.
Reports
President – Tristen thanked everyone for all of their help throughout the year.
Principal – I would like to start by thanking the P&C for your on-going assistance with the 2012-2013 P-K transition. This transition is a vital introduction to our school community and we greatly value your input, support and guidance with the new families.
I would also like to thank the P&C, in particular Tristen, for his attendance at the Year 6 Graduation last week. It was a very positive and successful event for our school community and a lot of fun was had by the students, too. I also thank the P&C for the generous donation of a pen to each Year 6 student leaving Soldiers Point at the end of the year.
This year’s Year 6 Fund-raising Committee has done a tremendous job throughout the year of, not only raising funds, but also preparing for the students’ graduation. The organisation of the event, the handbook, slideshow etc. was outstanding. I congratulate the committee and thank them for their efforts.
Today, I observed twenty-two potential candidates vying for a position on the 2013 Student Representative Council. To have so many students nominating for a leadership position is a wonderful reflection on the confidence of our students. I was very impressed with the quality of our students’ addresses to their fellow students and look forward to working with our new captain, vice-captain and prefects in 2013.
We now look forward to our Celebration Day which will be held this Thursday, December 13, when we find out who our SRC members will be. Celebration Day will also involve numerous student performances, which I trust you’ll find entertaining.
Behind these performances are many, many hours of preparation by the students and our teachers and I would like to thank all of my staff for their selfless commitment to our students and guiding them to success in so many ways.
Similarly, I thank our support staff who man the office, assist individual students in the classrooms and keep our rooms and grounds maintained. They’re the frontline of the school managing community enquiries, student illness & grazes, receiving money, as well as communicating those 2:50 phone calls with urgent messages to students whose mother / father can’t pick them up and making alternate arrangements.
I really am fortunate to have such a wonderfully caring and capable team around me.
Earlier this term we carried out the Parent Satisfaction Survey which provided us with valuable feedback from the wider community. I sincerely thank you for being constructive with your input and assure you it will be used to guide our school to future improvement.
Some of the findings will be included in the 2012 Annual School Report, which will be released at the end of Term 1, 2013.
Toward 2013 - at this stage our anticipated student population will be in the vicinity of 350, which is a little more than we currently have. The staff and I have drafted a class structure based on a 14 class model. This may alter but we won’t know for certain until the end of Week 1, 2013, when our population should be stable.
We will have a number of changes in staffing in 2013. Two teachers have been permanently appointed to the school, they are: Mrs Catherine Freeman, who will replace Mrs Davis, and Ms Ashleigh Beaven, who will be our LAST.
When students return next year they will go into their current 2012 class for the first week or so before we can finalise the make-up of each class. I expect and hope we will be able to move into our new classes by the end of Week 1.
In next week’s newsletter I will be including the prices of the 2013 bookpacks. The costs are a slight increase on the 2012 bookpacks. It is intended that the bookpacks will provide all necessary stationery for every child. As always, financial assistance will be available for families through application.
Term 4 will conclude for students on Wednesday, December 19, while the staff will be finishing on Friday, December 21, as we have SDD’s on the last two days of the year.
Term 1, 2013, will commence on Wednesday, January 30, for all students in Years 1-6.
Kindergarten students will undertake their Best Start assessment from Wednesday, January 30 through to Friday, February 1.
Once again, I thank the P&C and the parents of Soldiers Point Public School for their continued support throughout 2012. It has been an amazing year for our community, particularly with the Run Around Australia win which has provided the students, staff & canteen with some fantastic resources which will benefit our community for many years to come.
On behalf of the staff & students I thank you for your time, effort and contributions which have added to the success of 2012. I look forward to working closely with you again next year as we continue to build on the foundations laid over the past few years.
I wish you all a very merry Christmas and happy holiday with your families.
Moved: Simon Parson. Seconded: Helen Barwick.
Treasurer – Nil
Canteen Committee – Nil
Uniform Committee – The current balance is $6,460.06. Extended credit to LW Reid is $8,133.13. We have had around fifty Kindy 2013 families who have made their purchases for next year. I have now received the last delivery of stock for 2012. We have also had quite a few other families purchasing uniforms ready for next year as a result of the reminder in the newsletter. I will check how much stock is available on Thursday 20 December and will make an online order during the second last week of the school holidays which will arrive once school reopens. This should ensure that we will have plenty of stock available the first week back at school, especially for new families. There are currently no outstanding orders.
Grounds Committee - Rob said it took two days to finish the garden. Just needs to finish planting and mulching, already chosen the species. He has really enjoyed being part of the committee and would enjoy a new project next year.
School Improvement & Finance Committee (SIFC) – Will prepare report for AGM. Engineers report and Asset Management TBA. Ethics already discussed. Population already discussed and redistribution of staffing.
Moved: Kylie Murchie. Seconded: Tristen Cosgrove.
Fundraising Committee – Nil.
General Business
Simon advised that there were complaints from parents as they didn’t know that their child was receiving an award and would have loved to have come to the assembly. At what cost in additional time for staff to advise parents. Liz suggested a class Rep could take on that role.