Present – Kylie Screen. Tristen Cosgrove, Simon Parson, Ruth McLeod
Previous minutes – 2 April 2014 accepted
Reports and Updates
Principal
· Meeting held with Tony Rodwell and Brad Gammell from DET to discuss future options for a new library. Funding for new two-storey building with library and permanent classrooms seems unlikely in the short to medium term. Current options include library in a new MDR to be located in the school grounds. Maybe possible to achieve this within next 18 months if funding approved 2014-2015. Brad to identify possible locations. Request that any plans developed still allow for the two-storey building with permanent classrooms as originally planned. If MDR library goes ahead there will be a need for fundraising for additional furniture and resources.
· Eight trees were removed from school grounds during the April school holidays. There are still some trees tagged for limb removal later in the year. Removal of the trees has opened up additional space on the top field. Suggest relocation of seating that was previously near the Friendship Tree. Simon to investigate options and possible date for parent working bee to help with relocation.
· Two quotes now received for covered walkway from COLA to Early Stage 1/Stage 1 rooms (to also incorporate drain pipe). Quotes received from Transfield and Mathieson Construction. Both included (a) cover over the walkway to the COLA stairs and (b) cover over the stairs including drainpipe. The Community Building Grant funding for the covered walkway ($15,000) will only fund (a). Additional funds to be sourced to do part (b) in the future. Meeting discussed the two quotes and recommended engaging Mathieson Construction to undertake (a). Ruth to raise at next P&C Meeting for approval to proceed.
· Discussion of available funds for next two stages of the Creative Play Spaces works quoted by Soil Conservation Service, NSW Department of Trade and Investment.
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
Costs (less gst) now able to be met through the schools 2014-2015 asset allocation ($25,000) plus available P&C funds as follows. Ruth to raise at next P&C Meeting for approval to proceed.
$12,000 Community Building Grants for playground upgrade
$21,000 Creative Play Spaces Term Deposit (approx)
$2,500 Profit from Tea towels and Disco (approx)
· Following approval to proceed Simon will meet with Paul Parkes from NSW Department of Trade and Investment regarding timing. Ideally hope to have works done during July school holidays.
· Final 2013 Annual Report distributed.
· Staff have commenced preparation work for completing the mid-year student reports. Simon identified challenges in completing some sections of the report template given the transition to the new curriculum. The reporting software does not yet reflect the new curriculum. Staff have discussed and recommended completing the reports as per the previous curriculum i.e. using the previous terminology. This will maintain continuity with the existing reporting structure until the updated software is available. Decision discussed and supported by SIFC meeting.
· Simon provided feedback from online survey of parents of current kindergarten students. Survey aimed to gather feedback on the transition activities undertaken by the school for new kindergarten students and their families. Feedback was generally positive. The information obtained will be used by staff to plan the transition activities and implementation of the Best Start Program for the 2015 students. Staff also working on additional transitional activities in conjunction with families and local preschools.
General Business
· Discussion about the loss of the Friendship Tree and possible inclusion in future planning for a new location using the same concept. Student initiated ideas may arise or be sought in changes to be made in the playground and/or seating. Could include new friendship tree or friendship seat.
· Tristen preparing for the next round of Community Building Partnerships grant applications. Will include equipment and materials for playground areas as part of the Creative Play Spaces project. Simon and Tristen to discuss possibility of obtaining some “ball-park” quotes.
· Feedback provided on the draft Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy and Student Agreement. Main feedback was for consideration of minimum standards for devices. Policy and Agreement supported by SIFC meeting. To be provided at next P&C Meeting.
Meeting closed at 9.10pm. Next meeting – 4 June 2014