SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES FROM MEETING HELD 2 MARCH 2016 Present – Vicki Abberton, Brendan Abberton, Brenda Madden, Kylie Screen, Simon Parson Previous minutes – 3 February 2016 accepted Meeting opened – 7pm
Business arising from previous minutes Re: Flooding issue in the main Admin building. Sections of the existing pathway will be removed and a new path installed at a lower level to eliminate the risk of future flooding. Tender submissions have been received and the process will allow two weeks before a contractor is appointed to undertake the works. The Department of Education will begin negotiations with the construction company regarding insurance issues.
Reports and Updates Principal
Fencing has been removed from the new playground and a class roster has been developed. Students are only permitted to play on the equipment during their scheduled timeslot of supervised play at recess or lunch. Parents and teachers are advised that students are not to play on the equipment before and after school (this includes younger siblings who may visit the school with Mum/Dad). It is understood that play during after school events is only permitted if an accredited first aid officer is on duty and supervising the playground area.
Following discussion about the top section of the playground (between the high side and the concrete steps on the edge of the COLA), initial design ideas have been developed converting the area into an expanded playspace.
The schools public address system was recently assessed. This included the assessment of school emergency procedures and observation of an emergency drill. The feedback the school received was all positive apart from a recommendation to upgrade the existing speaker system by extending its reach. This is of high priority for improving the clarity of speech commands during an emergency event. Funding for this upgrade will be sought from the P&C.
The school has received targeted funding to provide in class support for special needs students, students with a confirmed disability and Indigenous students. Annual funding received includes equity loading and general base allocation (incl. professional learning and utilities). Targeted funding has been used to provide School Learning and Support Officer assistance where needed. Funds have also been set aside for stage teams (teachers) to be released to work collaboratively on class planning, assessment and tracking.
The Annual School Report is currently being drafted.
General Business
The Parent Connect Session has been postponed until the whole of school assembly on 1 April 2016. This will allow for greater reach across the school parent population. Prior to the event discussion about communication and topics for P&C Meetings will be generated via the P&C Facebook page for parents who are unable to attend on the day.
Recent topics discussed on the P&C Facebook page were highlighted to increase awareness about information gaps and positive feedback. It was suggested that information be posted about the new playground, parking rules for the drop off zone reinforced and rules about dogs on school grounds. These requests will be passed onto the P&C Facebook Admin team.
A school Facebook page is currently under development and will be launched in Term 2, 2016. The site will be used to distribute information, promote school activities and place reminders. Parents will be able to comment but not post on the school Facebook page. Links will be created from the Facebook page to the school website. Future plans also include an upgrade of the school website.
A snake was seen recently on the edge of the bushland area and the question was raised – do students know what to do if they see a snake? Students who saw the snake reported the sighting to a staff member and this was viewed as the correct course of action.