Present – Brenda Madden, Tina Sorenson, Kylie Screen, Simon Parson, Ruth McLeod
Previous minutes – 3 February 2015 accepted
Reports and Updates
Principal
2014 Annual School Report: Due end March. Simon to distribute draft to SIFC.
2015-17 School Plan: Currently being finalised. Draft document to be presented at next meeting.
Library update:
- Building site fencing in place and work commenced on piers. Building shell expected to arrive 6 March. Electrical, water, data, carpet, painting, fit out to be completed by end March. Relocation of resources to occur end of Term 1.
- Anticipate new library to be operational in Term 2.
- Old demountable library building to then be removed.
- Ongoing tasks: installation of Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, whiteboards, etc.
Demountable classrooms :
- Additional demountable classroom to accommodate 15th class to be in place by end of Term 1. Classroom to be located below the kindergarten classrooms, along with the demountable currently in the staff carpark. Walkway to these demountables to be constructed between the kindergarten and Stage 1 classrooms.
- Seven out of the 15 classes (47%) now located in demountable classrooms.
- Discussion of ongoing need for the additional two-storey block for permanent classrooms to replace growing number of demountables. Ruth to contact Tristen to discuss further.
Creative Play Spaces:
- Two quotes being obtained for installation of play equipment in the area where the old demountable library building is; equipment to be funded via the $50,000 Community Building Partnerships grant announced December 2014. Student and staff input being incorporated into playground design and equipment selection.
- Works on top oval completed and payment finalised. Tristen to submit report finalising expenditure of associated Community Building Partnerships grant.
- Follow-up work required to lower tree stumps remaining after previous tree removal works in the grounds. Regular maintenance of bush within school grounds is up-to-date.
General Business
Parent Information Sessions:
- Ruth thanked staff for positive promotion of the Effective Learning Code document at the Parent Information Sessions. Parents particularly liked the explanation of the YCDI! recognition program.
-Simon raised concerns regarding parents leaving children unsupervised in the school grounds during Parent Information Sessions. Further discussion required.
Importance of Application to enrol in a NSW Government School Forms: Simon outlined the importance of maintaining current student/family information to assist in maximising funding to the school. Up-to-date student enrolment forms are a key source of information with the minimum requirement being for an enrolment form to be completed on commencement at a school. Requests will now be made for updated forms to be submitted each two years. P&C to assist in communicating the importance to families of submitting completed forms.
Parent Reference Group: Initiate establishment of Parent Reference Group following on from the Parent Forum held November 2014. SIFC to work with Simon to draft a framework for the Parent Reference Group including objectives and timing for meetings. Meetings to be held once per term in place of SIFC with first meeting proposed for 6 May 2015. Ruth and Brenda to draft a possible framework. Initial focus to be on improving school-parent communication.
Meeting closed at 8.25pm. Next meeting – 6 May 2015 – Parent Reference Group