MINUTES FROM ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD 11th MARCH 2014
Meeting Commenced 7.10pm
1. Welcome – Present and Apologies
Present: Tristen Cosgrove, Anna Webster, Belinda Lavers, Trish Bray, David Smail, Jeff Gibson, Paula Browne, Anna-Maria Ford, Kylie Screen and Ruth McLeod.
Apologies: Simon Parson.
2. Acceptance of previous AGM minutes from the 12th March 2013, and Extraordinary Minutes from the 14th May 2013
What a wonderful year it has been. Firstly, on behalf of the Soldiers Point Public School community we sincerely thank Craig Baumann (State Member for Port Stephens) for his representation of the school in particular with respect to the two fresh grants that have been announced totalling $27,000 but also for the $15,000 grant from last year which, in conjunction with a donation from the P&C of almost $3,000, has already brought the new Covered Walkway into existence and enable more students and teachers to move about during wet weather without becoming drenched. Adding these together, we thank Craig Baumann and the New South Wales Government for the $42,000 in grants. We also sincerely thank Craig for his ongoing representations to the New South Wales Government in relation to our need for a second fixed building block, down the hill from the current fixed building block. If we are successful, this will provide a permanent six classrooms and a library and also allow for the removal of demountables in the school, which currently represent over 46% of our classrooms, when the State average, using 2010 figures, was around 12%. From discussions with Craig I know that Craig shares our passion for the positive transformation of the school and we are grateful for having such a champion in our corner. Once again, thank you to Craig Baumann.
During the year the P&C was able to assist the School with $1,300 towards the Cyberbullying initiative, $500 for technology from the Run Around Australia promotion, and $500 for classroom reader books.
Thank you to all of you who have helped our wonderful School this year whether in the canteen, uniform shop, P&C-run functions, Book Fair, Fundraising events such as sausage sizzles, a disco, a trip to IKEA, 3rd place in Run Around Australia, reading in the classrooms, working bees, work to improve the school grounds, attending and contributing to P&C meetings or School Improvement and Finance Committee meetings, applying for grants, communicating our needs to political decision-makers at various levels of Government, or anything large or small that has helped the school and our students. It is the whole school community working together that makes for a truly great school experience.
You may have also noticed the tiered concrete seating, off the COLA, and is part of the Creative Play Spaces plans. This is a prime example of the School and the P&C working together on a mutual project. The P&C and the School work closely together on all of these projects and for that I wish to thank our Principal, Simon Parson, and the School, for the continued vision and enthusiasm for the School.
Imagine if you can, the school grounds with good drainage enabling the grounds to be used more often. Imagine a better top field with tiered seating. Imagine a Creative Play area at the bottom of the new tiered concrete seating where the library is now because the new library is then part of the fixed building block along with six new fixed building classrooms down the hill from the current block and the demountables are removed to free-up more space and you will have some idea of what we are trying to achieve and invite and encourage you to join us!
Moved: Tristen Cosgrove, Seconded: Anna Webster.
Principal’s Annual Report
In reflecting on the 2013 school year it’s important we acknowledge and celebrate our successes as well as identify areas we need to improve in the future. At the core of all we undertake at Soldiers Point Public School we aim to meet our vision of providing a supportive learning environment where success and equity are promoted. This remains central to our purpose and it was heartening for my staff and I to realise that, according to the 2013 Parent Satisfaction Survey, more than 94% of our parents agree that we are meeting this goal. We thank the school community for this affirmation and appreciate your objective feedback via the Parent Satisfaction Survey.
In measuring our success it is necessary to consider the multitude of educational opportunities the students attending Soldiers Point Public School are offered. Whether in the classroom, being a good buddy, learning a musical instrument, maintaining a class garden or presenting a speech, our students continue to thrive on being challenged.
Our students’ academic achievement in 2013 was positive. The students’ NAPLAN results are one way of reflecting the effectiveness of the school’s literacy and numeracy programs with most of our results being above state average, for example:
In Year 5 we had 43% of students in the top two skill bands in reading, against the state average at 34%. In numeracy we had 37% in the top two skill bands compared to 26% for the state.
In Year 3 we had 60% of students in the top two skill bands for reading, while the state percentage was 44%. In numeracy we had 29% of students in the top two skill bands, while the state was 36%.
The school’s learning support program, which is designed to assist our students with specific learning needs, has endeavoured to cater for the significant increase in demand in recent years. The weight placed on our support programs, such as Reading Recovery and our learning & support teacher, are ever-increasing and I wholeheartedly appreciate the efforts of the teachers involved, as well as our supportive parents and community volunteers who assist our students daily.
In Year 5 we had 6% of students score in the bottom two skill bands for reading, while the state percentage was 13%.
In Year 3 we had 13% of students in the bottom two skill bands for reading, while the state percentage was 14%.
Our students truly embrace the creative and practical arts via our school concert band, rock band, dance troupes and choirs. The climax of the school’s creative arts calendar is always the end of year Celebration Day, which was a highly entertaining event. Additionally, the success of the 2013 Twilight Bandstand was a tribute to our staff and students’ dedication to the arts, as was our performance in the Tomaree Music Festival and Evening of Music.
In 2013 Soldiers Point students were offered more sporting opportunities than ever before. We fielded no less than 13 teams in sports such as: netball, soccer, softball, hockey, rugby league, rugby union, cricket and touch as part of the PSSA knockout. Several of our teams progressed through to as far as Round 4 in their respective draws.
Additionally, we had numerous students selected to represent the Port Stephens Zone & Hunter Area and three selected to attend state carnivals.
Our school rugby union team was again successful in winning the Gunther Shield at the gala day hosted by Nelson Bay Junior Rugby Union, winning a very handsome $1000.00 which will go toward purchasing new equipment and uniforms for our sporting teams.
Our students have enjoyed numerous opportunities to explore their local area as well as further afield through a range of excursions, such as the Stage 3 political adventure to Canberra, which was a particular highlight for our seniors.
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.
Throughout 2013, our teachers have undertaken a significant amount of professional learning, which is critical if we are to remain at the leading-edge of our profession. The main focus has been literacy, with much attention on becoming acquainted with the new English syllabus. We have also attended professional learning on numeracy, science & technology, wellbeing and differentiation.
The school’s financial status remains fair. In the 12 months to November 30, 2013, the school had expended $372,858.12. Some of the funds have been expended as follows:
Teaching & learning ~ $111,552
Tied funds ~ $67237 (this includes Professional Learning)
Teacher relief ~ $35,735
Administration ~ $49,252
Utilities ~ $40,382
The support of the Parents and Citizens Association through supplementing the school’s resources and adding value and quality to the students’ learning and their environment is greatly appreciated. The progress in improving our playground has been very exciting this year with the construction of a covered walkway, additional seating and water tank, as well as the establishment of the Remembrance Garden being particular highlights.
I also acknowledge the P&C’s generous and willing support to educate our students in cybersafety. Bringing Project Rockit to Soldiers Point was a very positive and constructive exercise and we can only hope it guides our children in making smart choices when encountering cyber challenges.
The staff, students and I acknowledge and thank the P&C for your generous support, hard work and initiative leading to a better educational experience for all.
In closing I sincerely thank my amazing staff. Each day they engage and encourage each of the children in their classes. Their dedication and care is second to none and I wholeheartedly thank them for all they offer to the children of our school.
I look forward to 2014 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: Jeff Gibson on behalf of Simon Parson, Seconded: Ruth McLeod
Treasurer’s Annual Report
It’s been a good first year in the P&C, and particularly being the treasurer. This wasn’t my initial intention when attending my first P&C meeting last year; I was coming along to take an interest in my son’s education.
Thanks to all those involved for assisting me to get up to speed. There is a great network of people, including many of those that are in the background and not visible at the monthly meetings.
Paula has been great to work with and she continues to have a passion for the canteen and a real interest in making it work from what I have seen. We will continue to foster that relationship and I will assist as I can on raising funds in the canteen.
Belinda has the uniform shop well all under control and requires no input from myself. So thank you.
Across the last month I’ve been working with the Auditors to provide the required data for the annual audit, thanks again Belinda and Paula for providing the required data.
Balances are as follows:
P&C account: $2,837.17
Uniform account: $2,542.32
Canteen account: $2,649.88
Superannuation and PAYG payments have been paid in the last month, as well as the larger invoices for the beginning of the year.
As mentioned above I intend to work with the canteen committee identify strategies to build the holding balance of the canteen bank account.
NOTE: Copy of Auditors Report Submitted.
Moved: David Smail, Seconded: Anna Webster
Canteen Committee Annual Report
The Canteen committee will be boosted this year with the addition of a few more members and a Treasurer dedicated to canteen matters only.
The fresh food in the Canteen continues to be a success with supplies selling out within the week.
Simon and Paula met with a representative from Hunter New England Health on Thursday 6th March. In November last we submitted our menu and fresh food recipes to Hunter New England Health for their dietician to look over and report on. They recommend a Canteen menu should provide 50% green products and 50% amber products with no red products for sale at all. Green consists of foods like fruit, vegetables, dairy etc and can be consumed every day. Amber consists of occasional foods such as lean burgers, pies etc. Red food is of course things like confectionary and is not recommended for sale in school canteens. A school can have a red day twice a term, we confine this to a meal deal or sausage sizzle once a term. The dietician was impressed with our current menu with 50% green, 49% amber and one red food item. The committee will work together to address this and with a few simple changes we can bring this up to 60% green and 40% amber, which is awesome.
A new menu will come out soon to reflect these changes and unfortunately a few price increases are necessary as our bank balance has slipped from where we would like it to be due to increase in food prices, large bills at the beginning of the year and a slow start to sales because of things like the swimming carnival, excursions and new kindys learning about the Canteen. We are planning a meal deal in the last week of Easter which will consist of a Hot Dog, a drink and an easter egg. This of course will be a red food day and falls in with the once a term policy that we have.
I would like to welcome the new committee members and as always thank the wonderful core group of volunteers that help keep our canteen the healthy, fun place that it is, the support they give me is remarkable and very much appreciated.
Moved: Paula Browne, Seconded: Belinda Lavers
Uniform Committee Annual Report
The Uniform Shop has continued to run smoothly during the last year. We have had four volunteers for most of the year and now have three due to one moving away recently.
Opening times on Tuesday mornings and Friday afternoons are still working well.
Maintaining higher stock levels than we did in previous years has resulted in customers not having to wait for stock to be ordered. It also helps with administration.
Utilising the Extended Credit from LWReid Pty Ltd (our main supplier) from the months of August to February assists greatly with the ordering of stock for new students for the start of the next year.
We currently are well stocked with most items with about $10,000.00 worth of stock.
When ordering garments that have the School Logo, I have continued to order larger quantities of those items to ensure we get the best printing and embroidery charges. This assists in being able to maintain higher stock levels all year.
Moved: Belinda Lavers, Seconded: Trish Bray
School Improvement & Finance Committee Annual Report
· Six School Improvement and Finance Committee (SIFC) meetings were held during 2013. The meetings are an opportunity for families to provide input and comment on changes to school policies, support the capital works program and assist in preparing proposals to obtain additional funding.
· The main focus during 2013 was on the schools capital works and asset management program. Much of this was part of the Creative Play Spaces Project concept plan supported by staff and the broader school community in December 2012. We tried unsuccessfully to seek some volunteer assistance to project manage the Creative Play Spaces project. Simon has managed to fill this gap for us so far.
Works complete during the year included:
- engineering/drainage plans
- water tank, plumbing, pathways and covered walkways
- the Remembrance Garden under the guidance of Rob Richards and Danielle Robinson
- concrete terraced seating between the COLA and library.
· Other topics discussed during 2013:
- Future school buildings including additional permanent classrooms and library. Tristen was successful in securing a meeting on site with Department of Education Assets staff to discuss school buildings.
- The voluntary technology levy was discussed and supported for implementation. This levy contributes to ongoing costs for providing technological student resources such as whiteboard, laptops and ipads.
- Cyber safety within our school community continued to be a priority. Support given to host Project Rockit cyber safety workshops for students and families.
- The conduct of scripture classes and ethics classes in the school were discussed. Additional information was provided to parents.
· Focus for 2104 will once again be on securing funding and completing the Creative Play Spaces works 2.0 and 3.0 as per the Soil Conservation Service, NSW Department of Trade and Investment stages (see below). Support for directing available P&C funds to these works was confirmed at the P&C February 2014 meeting.
2.0 Seating below COLA - completed
3.0 Seating (above oval) and oval upgrade
4.0 Earth mounds, drainage and mulching area above oval
· Additional issues to be discussed will include:
- Review of the student recognition program
- Grounds and tree maintenance.
Moved: Ruth McLeod, Seconded: Kylie Screen
Fundraising Committee Annual Report:
Previous Fundraisers (2013)
· School disco June 2013 = Successful disco, raising $1305.
· BBQ and cake stand election day September 7 2013 = Not a great fundraiser, but we did not lose money thanks to the baked goods that were provided. Left over sausages were used in the canteen for kids’ meal deal.
· DFO and IKEA bus trip (Belinda Lavers) October 2013
· Ongoing fundraiser – Lucky Locals = Lucky Locals - $2 per card to school (Trish)
Future fundraising events
· Welcome BBQ (21 March 2014)
· Tea Towels (Ruth)
· Ikea Trip
· Easter Hot Cross Bun drive (canteen run) *note, Paula may look at different Easter fundraiser.
· Twilight Market evening – at start of Term 4 (Daylight Savings) involve School Band. Christmas Craft stall items.
NOTE: Update on Twilight Market (our big Fundraiser planned for 2014)…
Meeting was recently held with CAPA teachers: (Present: Alison Soulsby, Rose Aitchison, Lisa Cornwell, Simon Parson, Trish Bray, Anna Webster.)
Update:
- Positive contributions, additional ideas suggested by teaching Staff.
- Response to proposed Teacher/Class involvement in the preparations (product making) and running (stall holding) of the Twilight Market is positive.
- The general feeling is that because we have so much time to plan ahead, and that each class can choose their level of involvement & their product of choice to create, that it should be well received by all Staff.
Next Steps:
- Rose, Lisa & Alison will discuss the idea with the rest of the Staff in their Stage planning meetings, and will let the P&C know of any concerns, questions or ideas put forward by the rest of the Staff. Then we can move into more thorough planning of the Twilight Market concept.
Ideas/Notes:
Date – Possibly Early Term 4, as early as possible (so as not to clash with reporting etc) Note Term 4 begins on Oct 7th.
Timing – Possibly 3.30pm onwards, so Teachers are still on school grounds and don’t have to return later in evening.
· Events – Bands (concert & rock), Dance group performances.
· Product for sale – CAPA-Produced products (each class runs a stall, with possible Parent helper involvement as well). Stall-holders from community & Parent-sellers (home-based businesses, home-made items) Possibly Food items/Dinner/Refreshments on sale too.
· MC/Town Cryer - to announce performances (student?)
· Facepainter?
· Oakvale Farm Petting Zoo?
· Obstacle-course on oval, for a fee. Games?
Also Fundraising if possible at events such as…
Harmony Day
Swimming Carnival
Athletics Carnival
Education Week
Walkathon – Sausage Sizzle
Book Week
Open Day
Celebration Day BBQ
*Ideas – Cake Stalls, BBQ’s, Drinks.
Moved: Anna Webster, Seconded: Ruth McLeod
Publicity Officer’s Annual Report
P&C information
· Information sheet sent out to parents to let them know what is happening with the monies raised from the fete.
· This may be an ongoing information sheet that will keep parents updated as to what the P&C is doing, and may even get people keen to be involved.
P&C newsletter
· The P&C page of the newsletter has been well received, hopefully readers find it easy to access and interesting to read. Intention of supplying the P&C page of the newsletter in Word sometime this year, so everyone can access.
· Fortnightly newsletter, if anyone has anything that they would like included in the newsletter please email Anna Webster by the Friday beforehand.
Moved: Anna Webster, Seconded: Trish Bray
Election of Office Bearers for 2014
Tristen asked Jeff Gibson to chair the meeting and act as returning officer for election of the 2014 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: No nominations received; Vacant.
Secretary: Trish Bray nominated; Accepted by all.
Treasurer: David Smail nominated; Accepted by all.
Publicity Officer: Anna Webster nominated; Accepted by all.
It is moved that an Assistant Treasurer / Canteen Treasurer be appointed: Deanne Cosgrove is nominated; Accepted by all present, to be confirmed by Deanne.
Canteen Convenor: Penny Whatman nominated; Accepted by all, to be confirmed by Penny.
Committee to include Paula Browne, Belinda Lavers, Bekk Paradisis, Karen Jones and Deanne Cosgrove.
Uniform Convenor: Belinda Lavers nominated; Accepted by all.
Committee to include Karen Jones.
Grounds Convenor: No nominations; Vacant.
School Improvement and Finance Committee (SFIC) Convenor: Ruth McLeod nominated; Accepted by all.
Fundraising Convenor: Anna Webster & Trish Bray nominated; Co-Convenors; Accepted by all.
Committee open to all volunteers.
Jeff congratulated all of the 2014 P&C Office Bearers.
General Business for AGM
· It is proposed that due to new appointment of Deanne as Canteen Treasurer, that Tristen be removed from being a signatury on the Canteen Bank Account, and Deanne be added as a signatury on that account. David responsible for getting signaturies amended.