Present: Simon Parson, Tristen Cosgrove, Anna Webster, Belinda Lavers, Trish Bray, David Smail, Cathie Price, Sandra Knight, Kylie Screen and Ruth McLeod
Apologies: nil.
2. Accepted Minutes of Previous Meeting (4 Dec 2013) Moved: Tristen Cosgrove, Seconded: Belinda Lavers.
3. Correspondence – In/Out
In: - Phone query about Trophies, which will be discussed tonight by Sandra Knight.
Out: - nil.
4. Reports
President’s Report: Tristen Cosgrove
Thank you to all for coming along tonight and thank you very much to those who contributed to a successful Tea and Tissues. We now look forward to an exciting year starting with the Welcome BBQ, which I hope everyone will enjoy.
This year we hope to make big inroads into the Creative Play Spaces project and we need to raise $5,000 or $6,000 in the first two terms to make a big spend possible in Terms 3 and 4. Aiding this will no doubt be a disco (or two) which raised $1,300 last year and Tea Towels which also raised $1,300 late 2012. So with these two we may be half way there and need another $3,000 in additional funds from new fundraising.
So here’s hoping for another successful year.
Moved: Tristen Cosgrove, Seconded: Ruth McLeod.
Principal’s Report: Simon Parson
I would like to commence by welcoming all the new families to the Soldiers Point School community and, of course, welcome back our past families for what will be an exciting year.
Our population currently stands at 343 students across 14 classes, which is very similar to 2013.
I would like to thank the school community for your patience and support in week 1 as we finalised our student population and class structure for 2014.
This year we have 45 Kindergarten students allowing us to form two K classes. The Kindies are adjusting well to their new learning environment. They are also enjoying the attention of their Year 6 buddies who have been a tremendous support in these early stages. I’m sure this relationship will continue to thrive throughout the year.
All Kindergarten students have completed their Best Start Assessment, which was undertaken in Week 1. This will be followed up with interviews by the Kinder teachers later in the term.
I would like to sincerely thank all our Kindergarten parents for their cooperation and willingness to bring their child up to the school to undertake the Best Start Assessment, which is such an informative evaluation of each child’s abilities.
Congratulations to the P&C for their organisation of this year’s Tea & Tissues which we held on Monday, February 3. It was tremendous to see so many parents staying around for a chat as it’s such a good opportunity for them to meet other parents and ask questions about school routines etc.
I’m sure this year’s Welcome BBQ will be a similar community success.
In relation to staffing, there have been a few changes to be aware of. This year I welcome:
• _Ms Pawley is our new assistant principal supervising Stage 3;
• _Mr Silva is teaching Stage 1;
• _Mrs Baxter & Mrs Sproule will be teaching the OC as a job share;
• _Mrs Hendley & Mrs Dawson will be teaching three days each week with an amount of learning assistance in Kindergarten as well as RFF across the school;
• _Miss Strassmeir is continuing with the teaching of Reading Recovery with Year 1 students as well as following up with previous RR students. Miss Strassmeir will also be supporting with Stage 1 literacy groups each day. This has been created to maximise the attention for reading in our students’ early years;
• _Mrs Merriman will be teaching two days and managing the library.
Some internal changes include:
• _Mrs Soulsby is teaching Stage 3.
Information Sessions are already underway with ES1 & S1 holding their sessions last night while Stages 2 and 3 will hold their session on Monday, February 24, from 5:00. I encourage all parents to get along to the Information Sessions.
I am currently working on the 2013 Annual School Report which I aim to complete by term’s end. In the ASR I will be including information about some of the school’s priorities for 2014 including:
• _Implementation of the new English syllabus;
• _Introduction to the new mathematics syllabus for implementation in 2015;
• _Sustained, improved outcomes in writing – focussing on text structure, sentence structure and spelling;
• _Improved outcomes in reading – focussing on inferential comprehension;
• _Improved outcomes in numeracy – continued focus on problem solving techniques with multi-step problems;
• _Increased student engagement through differentiation and integration of technology, including a trial of BYOD in the OC;
• _Continued construction toward the Creative Play Spaces learning environment; and
• _Continued implementation of YCDI.
These are some of our goals which I’m sure will keep us busy throughout the year ahead.
Some of you may be aware of the trial we are currently undertaking using the communication application Skoolbag. The app has already been well received by the community but at this stage it is still a trial. Its full implementation will depend on the efficiency of its management and final cost.
School photos will be taken by Newcastle School Portraits again in 2014 on Wednesday, April 2.
I thank the P&C and the parents of Soldiers Point Public School for their continued support and look forward to a highly cooperative & rewarding year ahead.
Moved: Simon Parson, Seconded: Trish Bray
Treasurer’s Report:
Account balances:
Canteen $2,123.16
Uniform $9,659.58
P&C $2,799.67
Uniform account balance healthy due to new year purchases. Expect this to reduce with uniform supply invoices/payments due.
Canteen balance down, due to having made the quarterly PAYG and Super payments in January. Suggest the need to meet with Paula to discuss pricing for 2014 and any strategies for raising more funds.
P&C Account healthy with no movement since December, although payment for Novacastles for the open day to be paid in the next couple of weeks. Invoice is $449, need to confirm amount P&C is paying as well as whether face painting is being donated by the P&C.
Email response received from Michelle Chesworth from Mark Edmunds Associates with details required for audit and financial statements to be collated and delivered.
Moved: David Smail, Seconded: Anna Webster
Canteen Committee Report:
No report submitted, as ‘committee’ as such has not been formalised. However, for 2014, we will aim to convene a canteen committee, made up primarily of volunteers who work in the canteen, to aid us in keeping up-to-date with any needs or decisions requiring P&C support. This is to be discussed amongst the canteen volunteers and Paula upon her return from holidays.
Uniform Committee Report:Belinda Lavers
Current Balance: $ 9659.58
Deposit today: $ 466.00
Payments due this month: $ 8530.26
Total: $ 1595.32
Value of Stock approximately $12,000.00
The extra opening time on Tuesday 28 January 2014 was very busy with a total of 27 customers.
We sold 60 Short Sleeve polo shirts, 20 Hats and a total of 35 shorts/skorts and skirts, as well as 35 pre-loved items.
I also assisted around 10 customers on the first day back at school even though we were not open. The general feedback from these customers was that they assumed we would be open on the first day of the School Year. I think we should also consider opening on this day in the future.
We currently are still very well stocked with most items.
We continue to have two volunteers beside myself to keep the Uniform Shop running smoothly.
We are still quite busy at the moment and should soon see some of our stock levels reduce.
Moved: Belinda Lavers, Seconded: Tristen Cosgrove
Note: Also discussed making ‘outside orders’ easier for parents who may not be able to visit the uniform shop during opening hours, by amending the current Order Form to include measurements as well as sizes – eg, circumference of a hat in cm’s rather than just Small, Medium, Large etc. Trish Bray and Belinda Lavers are happy to make amendments to soft-copy of order form, and attach to the P&C website.
School Improvement & Finance Committee Report: Ruth McLeod
No report as such, but open discussion tonight in General Business for Fundraising ideas to create a calendar of events for 2014 Fundraising.
General Business
· Tea & Tissues – was a success this year, with lots of people attending the morning tea outside the canteen on their child’s first day of school. We had ample food supplies, and special thanks go to those who volunteered by helping on the day and by supplying food, especially Karen Smail, Helen McLean, Anna Webster, Liz Richards, Kylie Screen, Nicholle Beaumont, Karen Morris-Barker, Ella De La Motte, Trish Bray and Cathie Price, as well as Paula Browne for allowing us to utilise the canteen space on a busy canteen day. All went smoothly, and those who attended seemed to appreciate the event.
· Preparation for Welcome BBQ Friday 28th February. Insurance is in place thank you to Corrie Kenrick. Two castles booked at a cost of $449 (P&C / Possibly DSTA funding too?). No facepainting unless donated then insurance would also need changing. Treasurer David Smail to arrange payment – we need a cheque for the night and access to power – two castles this time – two power points?
· We need to liaise with Paula re: ordering items for BBQ (sausages, drinks, bread, serviettes etc) also confirming that the canteen will be open for business, and ensuring enough volunteers are available on the night to assist with taking money, filling of gas bottles, cooking BBQ etc. The idea of trying to get sausages donated to aid in increasing the fundraising profits is discussed. Anyone willing to approach butchers/supermarkets for donations in this regard would be greatly appreciated.
· Treasurer to ensure books are ready to give to accountant/auditor at AGM in March Tuesday 11 March 2014.
· Balance in term deposit is slightly more than President thought, check with Treasurer if extra $500 was redeemed from the term deposit late last year as the Remembrance Garden was approved for $1,500 not $1,000. (Balance currently of term deposit at Westpac is $20,242.16 earning 2.5% p.a. on a rolling 30 day term deposit – receipt of balance query dated 7/2/14 submitted to Treasurer and Secretary by President)
(Other balances: Working $2,799.67, Canteen $2,123.16, Uniform Shop $9,659.58 (but note there is extended credit to the supplier that needs to be paid from this).
P&C has approved $1,500 for the school for Kindy outdoor furniture which it has not yet donated due to concerns from the Treasurer that balances may be low. If Treasurer is happy with balances now, donation should take place from P&C working account if possible.
Note: At this stage, the additional kindy outdoor furniture (outdoor table & chair unit) is not needed, as the new tiered concrete seating is proving popular and being used particularly by Early Stage 1, and Stage 1. Therefore that $1,500 P&C donation is not required, and so we will retain that amount within the P&C accounts / Term deposit monies.
Note: Potential cost may be involved with the installation of the next covered walkway. Although it is being installed via grant funding, if the quote for the work comes in higher than the grant funding we may be required to contribute towards it.
· Goals for P&C 2014 and onwards (in addition to Creative Play Spaces)
- Main goal is to raise extra fund to be able to donate $25,000 to the school for Creative Play Spaces in term 3 (including the term deposit). This will be added to by the $12,000 Community Building Partnership Grant which we have been awarded late last year (we do not yet have the cash) and the School is hoping to be able to make potentially $20,000 available also. This is a total of $57,000 to be spent ideally in term 3, which generally matches the quotes we have for this part of the ongoing project.
· School Wish List items – It is decided that the P&C will put ‘Staff School Wish List items’ on hold, in terms of donating funds, as we focus mainly towards fundraising monies building for the eventual completion of the Creative Play Spaces project.
· Sandra Knight: Discussion about awards for students including trophies. Discussion mostly in regard to Stage 3 students. Simon Parson and some of the P&C members with Stage 3 aged students flag a possible opportunity for Ms Pawley to be in discussion with the SRC and Stage 3 regarding the recognition program for Stage 3 (ie. YCDI, the Points System, Class Parties/Rewards etc).
At the last meeting it was proposed that we have some smaller fundraisers in 2014. Fundraising for 2014 discussed. Currently, Welcome BBQ sausage sizzle, Lucky Locals cards, Tea Towels – ready to order by end of Term 1, Easter Hot Cross Bun Drive (discuss with Paula upon her return from holidays), School Disco (potentially Term 2), Ikea Trip, Twilight Market evening at start of Term 4 (daylight savings). Also discussed Cake Stalls and Sausage Sizzles etc that the P&C can run in conjunction with some of the School Event days, as long as they don’t clash with the Yr 6 Fundraising or other school-run fundraising. We are still very open to hearing from parents who may like to run or be involved in running any fundraising activity to aid the goals of the P&C. Ideas to be deemed suitable and approved within a P&C meeting. A proposed Nutrimetics fundraiser was discussed tonight, on behalf of Traci Northey, via a Flyer designed to sell Shower Gels $30 for a set, with $6 funds from every set donated to the school. Feedback has since been given to the proposal requiring some amendment before it would be deemed suitable. We invite more initiatives and volunteering from all parents in regards to fundraising activity in the upcoming year.
Meeting closed 9.47pm.
Next meeting – 11th March 2014 – School Administration Block – AGM and General Meeting