Present – Tristen Cosgrove, Kylie Screen, Simon Parson, Ruth McLeod
Previous minutes – 5 February 2014 accepted
Reports and Updates
Principal
· Draft School Annual Report distributed for feedback.
· Meeting next week for local principals to discuss school zones and intake enquiry tool. Simon to provide an update next meeting.
· Asset management discussed including Creative Play Spaces Project.
· Simon has had initial discussions with a parent regarding possible sculpture/barrier to be installed above the new covered walkway to stop access from the two-storey building onto walkway. Design options and costs to be explored further.
· Quote received from Transfield for overhead walkway from COLA to Early Stage 1/Stage 1 rooms (to also incorporate drain pipe). Waiting for second quote. Tristen waiting to get confirmation that we can use the Community Building Grant funding for a covered walkway ($15,000) to do this work.
· All are keen to get started on the second stage of the Creative Play Spaces works quoted by Soil Conservation Service, NSW Department of Trade and Investment (see 2.0 below). Support was also given at February’s main P&C meeting. However will need to wait until mid-year to confirm funds are available.
1.0 Seating below COLA - completed
2.0 Seating (above oval) and oval upgrade – approx $55,000
3.0 Earth mounds, drainage and mulching area above oval – approx $12,000
· Tristen to speak with Anna about second P&C Update like the one provided to families in December 2013. Include:
- works completed (new covered walkway and seating)
- successful grant funding announced in December
- next steps in Creative Play Spaces Project
- fundraising goals.
· Cyber safety workshops held with students, staff and parents 20 February. Positive feedback. Need to encourage more families to attend future workshops.
· SPPS Skoolbag App now been adopted by school.
General Business
· Letter from a parent re: risk assessment of trees in the school ground. Simon provided response to the parent and further information in school newsletter.
· Simon outlined the process that has been used in the past few years to manage and maintain the trees. This includes:
- previous assessments undertaken by Transfield of natural and built assets on behalf of DET
- under Local Schools Local Decisions, responsibility for condition assessment and maintenance of assets (and associated funding) has been transferred to school principals. Annual funds available approx $22,000.
- condition assessments done via staff input and consultants (employed on a needs basis). School general assistant undertakes maintenance required where possible.
- annual program includes review of trees in school grounds each September/October.
· Since tragic incident in Sydney this year, a new directive has been issued by the Department for all principals to have all trees inspected. Additional funding supplied and this is now underway. Not clear if funding is only for inspections or will also fund any works required. Simon to provide updates at future meetings.
· Student leadership: Kylie outlined the student passport / leadership program available for students at Merewether High. Discussion about opportunities for students to undertake developing/aspiring leadership programs at SPPS. Simon to discuss with Stage 3 staff.
Meeting closed at 8.30 pm. Next meeting – 2 April 2014