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.