2. Acceptance of previous AGM minutes from the 13th March 2012
Moved: Lesa Cooper, Seconded: Ruth McLeod.
3. Business arising from previous AGM
Nil.
4. Reports
Presidents Report: Tristen Cosgrove
· Tristen provided an overview of a busy 2012 in which many volunteers did a fantastic job.
· The Uniform Shop implemented several changes and was well run throughout the year. It is currently well stocked and has sufficient funds in the bank account to cover invoices.
· The Canteen continued to provide healthy food with the assistance of a growing number of canteen helpers. Both the Canteen and broader school benefited from the local community’s success in winning the national Run Around Australia competition. Thank you to all who helped achieved this.
· Work continues on the Creative Play Spaces project. Funds raised by the P&C were used to develop concept plans for the playground redevelopment. Further funds are being used to finalise engineering plans before work commences on addressing drainage problems on the top field. During 2013 we will be working towards finalising several of the playground projects.
· Tristen sincerely thanks everyone who generously donated their time throughout the year.
Principals Report: Simon Parson; presented by Pam Wildman
· Our vision of providing a supportive learning environment where success and equity are promoted remained central to all decisions throughout 2012. In measuring our success we need to be mindful of the many and varied educational opportunities our students are offered at Soldiers Point. Whether it is in the playground, as a band member, a library monitor or helping in the canteen on a Thursday, our students continue to prosper.
- Our students' academic achievement has been excellent. The students' NAPLAN results reflect the effectiveness of the school's literacy and numeracy programs with our results being above state average, for example: * In Year 5 we had 50% of students in the top two skill bands in reading, against the state average at 35%. In numeracy we had 50% in the top two skill bands compared to 31% for the state. * In Year 3 we had 66% of students in the top two skill bands for reading, while the state percentage was 50%. In numeracy we had 43% of students in the top two skill bands, while the state was 39%.
· Just as impressive were the results of the school's learning support programs, which are designed to assist our students with specific learning needs. The demands placed on these support programs, such as Reading Recovery and newly created learning & support teacher position, are ever-increasing and I wholeheartedly appreciate the efforts of the teachers involved, as well as our supportive parents who assist our students daily. * In Year 5 we had 8% of students score in the bottom two skill bands for reading, while the state percentage was 18%. * In Year 3 we had 9% of students in the bottom two skill bands for reading, while the state percentage was 14%.
· The school's creative arts and music programs crescendoed at the end of 2012 with their Celebration Day performances and the concert and rock bands continue to be popular amongst the students. The success of the 2012 Twilight Bandstand was a tribute to our staff and students' dedication to the arts, as was our performance in the Tomaree Music Festival where students had the opportunity to be part of one of several choirs and / or dance troupes.
· In 2012 Soldiers Point students were offered more sporting opportunities than ever before. We fielded teams in hockey, netball, soccer, softball, rugby league, rugby union and touch as part of the PSSA Knockout. Several of our teams progressed through the rounds in their respective draws. Additionally, we had numerous students selected to represent the Port Stephens Zone & Hunter Area and three selected to attend state championships in AFL& hockey. Our school rugby union team was successful in winning the Gunther Shield at the gala day hosted by Nelson Bay Junior Rugby Union.
· Our students have also had numerous opportunities to explore their local area as well as further afield through a range of excursions into the wider community such as the Stage 3 outdoor education experience to Dora Creek, a particular highlight for our seniors, and the Stage 2 Great Aussie Bush Camp, a successful introduction to school camping. Our infants also had a very moving experience when they explored the various forms of transport on offer in our area.
· Our transition programs, Year 6 to 7 and preschool to Kindergarten, continue to be highly successful and beneficial in preparing students for their new settings.
· The professional development of our teachers is critical if we are to remain at the top of our profession. Throughout 2012, teachers undertook professional learning in literacy, numeracy, wellbeing and the new national curriculum. As well, with the purchase of the twenty iPads, several staff meetings were dedicated to becoming more proficient in using these exciting devices.
· The school's financial status remains healthy. In the 12 months to November 30, 2012, the school had expended $402,974.18. Some of the funds have been expended as follows: Teaching & learning ~ $122,852; Tied funds ~ $84,129 (this includes Professional Learning); Teacher relief~ $38,162; Administration ~ $53,304; Utilities ~ $33,773.
· The support of the P&C Association through supplementing the school's resources to add value and quality to the students' learning and their environment is greatly appreciated. Indeed the prospect of improving our students' play spaces in the near future is very exciting. The staff and I acknowledge and congratulate your initiative and hard work which led to the school community winning the 2012 Run Around Australia competition. This amazing achievement is cause for celebration and has already led to the acquisition of many valuable resources for the classrooms and canteen.
· In closing I sincerely thank the Soldiers Point Public School staff for the encouragement and dedication they offer to the children of our school. We are indeed very fortunate to have such a caring team of professionals to guide our children each day.
· I look forward to 2013 being a year of continued improvement as we work closely with the wider community in meeting the educational needs of the children attending Soldiers Point Public School.
Moved: Pam Wildman, Seconded: Kylie Screen.
Treasurers Report: Lesa Cooper
· Thank you to the Mark Edmunds Associates for finalising the Audit Report
· Profit and Loss Statements for year ended 31 December 2012:
- P&C including Uniform Shop $40,297.81
- Canteen $3,145.43
· Creative Play Spaces Term Deposit $26,206.22.
Moved: Lesa Cooper, Seconded: Ruth McLeod.
Canteen Report: Paula Browne; submitted by email but not read at meeting; see note at end of meeting minutes.
Uniform Report: Belinda Lavers
· New initiatives during 2012 included change in opening times to Friday afternoon. This has proven to be popular and is working well.
· Utilised extended credit from suppliers at the end of the year to allow preparations and increase in stock ready for new students and start of 2013. This enabled a smooth transition to the start of the year.
· Thank you to the great team of volunteers successfully running the uniform shop.
Moved: Belinda Lavers, Seconded: Karen Jones.
Grounds Report
· No report provided
SIFC (School Improvement and Finance Committee) Report
· No report provided
· Ruth provided a brief update of the work undertaken by the SIFC during 2012 on the Creative Play Spaces project.
Fundraising Report
· No report provided
· Tristen identified fundraising undertaken during the year including the SPPS Tea Towels and the highly successful Run Around Australia.
5. Election of Office Bearers for 2013
· Tristen asked Jeff to chair the meeting and act as returning officer for election of the 2013 P&C Office Bearers. Jeff accepted, declared all positions vacant and asked for nominations. Positions were filled as follows:
President: Tristen Cosgrove nominated; Accepted by all.
Vice-president:Liz Richards nominated; Accepted by all.
Secretary: No nominations received.
Treasurer: No nominations received.
Publicity Officer: Anna Webster nominated; Accepted by all.
Canteen Convenor: Penny Whatman nominated; Accepted by all.
Uniform Convenor: Belinda Lavers nominated; Accepted by all.
Grounds Convenor: Rob Richards nominated; Accepted by all.
School and Finance Improvement Committee (SFIC):Ruth McLeod nominated; Accepted by all.
Fundraising Convenor: No nominations received.
6 General Business
· Meeting agreed to hold an Extraordinary AGM in April 2013 to fill vacant positions.
· Lesa agreed to continue as Acting Treasurer until that time.
· Big thank you to Lesa and Corrie for their work as part of the P&C Executive.
Meeting Closed 8:05pm.
Note: Canteen Report submitted by Paula Bowne via email but not read at the meeting
The Canteen is back in full swing for the coming year with lots of new volunteers from Kindergarten. Whilst sorry to say goodbye to those fantastic volunteers that have worked in the Canteen over the last 6 years and moved on to High School with their children it is wonderful to welcome some new faces. Year 6 have started their roster working in the Canteen on a Thursday and I look forward to spending time with them, we have had such a fantastic response it is now July before I can fit them all in. We are offering an Easter Meal Deal on Wednesday 27th March. This includes a hot dog, an easter egg and a poppa for $5.00. Traditionally this gives the Canteen quite a good financial input and hope this occurs again this year. We are offering a Hot Cross Bun fundraiser, $5.00 per dozen for larger and more tastier hot cross buns from our local supplier. Hopefully the school community will support this. The fresh food including Nachos, Spaghetti Bolognaise, Macaroni Cheese, Muffins and Sorbets continue to be a big success with supplies quickly running out every week. We have had to raise our prices slightly on some items to combat the increase in the cost of fresh food, it has not been a problem with the school community embracing the new prices very quickly. I would like to thank the P&C for supporting me in my role as Canteen Supervisor and look forward to the wonderful year ahead providing a service to the fantastic kids we have here.