Canterbury Public School P&C Meeting Wednesday 20 August at 7.30pm Staffroom Present: Berlinda Cook (Principal), Annabel Kain, Jacquie Cheetham, David Lewis, Alexis Joseph, Zoe Jenkins, Mark Williams, Lynne Scouller, Melanie Bruniges, Amanda Barker (minutes). Meeting opened: 7:35 pm Agenda If you could do one thing for your school this year what would it be? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Welcome to new parents and citizens Apologies Tabled correspondence Minutes from previous meeting ad matters arising Reports: Principal’s report - Berlinda Cook Treasurer’s report - Paul Scouller Committee reports: - Music - Indigenous projects - Canteen - Garden - Event management and fundraising 6. General business Agenda Item 1. Welcome to new parents and citizens 2. Apologies 3. Tabled correspondence 4. Minutes from previous meeting and matters arising 5. Reports Principal’s report Minutes David Taffa, Suzanne Trimmer, Janette Elwell, Natalie Bishop, James Iliffe, Anne Tiedemann, Emma in der Maur, Lorraine Lewis, Paul Scouller. Annabel received an email from a teaching student doing a survey about parent attitudes to physical education. There weren’t two people present who were at the last meeting. ACTION: The July minutes will need to be passed at the next meeting. Staffing Gina Perez from the Support Unit will be on maternity leave which finishes in week 7. She will be replaced by Lisa Aronis (Mon, Tues, Wed) who will job share with Christine Nasser (Thurs/Fri). Kathy Middleton, School Learning Support Officer (SLSO) will be on leave without pay for the next 10 months beginning in September. Sonia Nassif (who has been covering Kathy's Wednesdays) will take over in this role until the end of the year. Kim Santa Rosa will do Release from Face-to-Face (RFF) for remainder of term on Mon/Tues/Wed and Amanda Coleman on Fridays. Amanda Kenny returns to work part time week 3 and will cover RFF Wed and Fri. Kiran returns to working 5 days a week. Amanda C will do RFF one day a week in the Special Education Unit (SEU). She will still work Fridays (this will remain until the end of the year). Nicole Cushway is now permanent part-time (two days per week) Linda Askin and Amanda Kenny would like to work 2 days a week next year and Lisa Day has term 1 off. An Expression of Interest has been distributed for Stage 3 next year, trying a new approach to teaching. Some documents on Self-Organised Learning Environment (SOLE) were distributed. Here’s a link to more information. http://www.ted.com/pages/sole_toolkit School Administrative and Support (SAS) Staff recognition week is week 8, 1st-5th September. David Lewis suggested a letter from the P&C be provided. Good news The school has received an $11 000 grant from Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL for technology, which will cover the purchase and installation of an interactive whiteboard. $500,000 has been received for an upgrade of Special Education Unit. This will focus on building a ramp and meeting building and safety standards. Work will hopefully start in the January school holidays. $26,000 funding from the department for a special education outdoor learning environment will be granted but is dependent on securing another $26,000 by the end of the year. (This area will be created between CPS and Canterbury Girls High School.) Berlinda and Kristy Do Canto will be speaking at Rotary next month and others places if required to try to secure this extra funding. Canterbury Council has advised there will be a rollout of flashing lights. We expect that means more will be installed near the school. Events Science Week, big thanks to Ruth and Tom Gordon (parents to Amelia in KK) for volunteering their time and professional knowledge/skill in running the science fair. Re timing of Swimming Scheme in 2015, as per parent responses to survey CPS requested a change from Term 1 to 4. This hasn’t been granted. Berlinda will see what can be negotiated. ACTION: Outcome to be presented at the next meeting. A walk-a-thon will be held in week 10, Thursday 18th September The number of events the school and students have been involved in was discussed. Berlinda distributed a paper that showed just how many and varied these activities are. It was agreed it’s important that students and teachers aren’t overcommitted, and while sometimes the timing of events is out of the school’s control, where possible activities should be spaced out. Everyone liked Mark Williams’ suggestion that the school consider these three points when considering whether to do a particular activity 1. What’s in it for us, 2. Resource implications and 3. What’s the worst outcome if we say no? Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) on School Students with Disability Berlinda distributed A Nationally consistent collection of data – School students with disability document. The NCCD is based on the Disability Discrimination Act which sets out standards for educators. Outcomes from National Data collection included the finding that 41% (or 105) students in the school have a disability as defined by the Act. (This includes learning disabilities.) The school has made adjustments to cater for this and we need to ensure we document our efforts. From next year this data will be published. Treasurer’s report Music sub committee report Canteen sub committee report School Planning All schools in state entering new planning process. The new school plan – a guide for school principals and leaders document was distributed. Berlinda explained the school is going through a process of clarifying its beliefs and values and identifying what the school community stands for. This vision will then be compared with the reality, then strategic directions will be identified to help achieve the vision. Annabel advised that Paul is ensuring we are up to date with insurance under the revamped P&C Federation. David Lewis advised the band and strings and choir have all been very busy, with performance venues including Ashfield Mall during Education Week and the Opera House. All credit to Rhea and Megan for their effort and for making it all possible. There will be performances at the Fathers’ Day breakfast. More students are needed to join the music program as a number of students are leaving for high school at the end of the year. More parents are needed for the music committee too. Amanda referred to Suzanne’s report, which is on the website. Highlights include: The BBQ lunch proved popular at the Athletics Carnival with 120 orders made. Week 9, Wednesday 10th Sept there’ll be an Asian theme day. Students and teachers are enjoying Autumn/Winter menu Nicole is making soups, hamburgers and pies to keep the winter chills at bay. The gelato afternoons have been successful. Thanks to all who purchased, and apologies to those missed out 1st week. The draft documents containing the updated canteen policies and procedures are on the P&C website. Mel led a discussion on them at the Garden sub committee report Events and fundraising sub committee report meeting and some small changes were identified. Any additional comments would be appreciated. There’ll be an updated financial report at the beginning of next term. Amanda referred to Natalie’s report, which is on the website. Highlights include: Green Thumbs is going well and is now offered to seniors as well as juniors. An apple and a bay tree have been planted. Herb garden labelling on painted flat river stones spearheaded by Jenny A with Bryony. A locked box has been installed by the car access gates. This will make access during the holidays to water much easier. Annabel advised the focus is the upcoming car boot sale (Sunday 12 October). 13 spots have been booked so far. 6. General business Nil. Meeting officially closed at 8.55 pm.