DRAFT Warrimoo Public School P&C Meeting Minutes February 2015 Date: 10th February 2015 Meeting Open: 7:33 PM Apologies: None Present : Phil Jeffery, Michael Kitchin, Kirsty Mitchell, Nerida Taylor, Julie Quinn, Lance Haeden, Belinda Barton, Bob Treasure, John Culch, Tina Cuzner, Barbara Jones, Judy Sanderson, Claire Bickford, Alison O Keefe, Robyn Totenhofer, Lara Greenhill, Troy Penney, Laura Mondy, Di Samuelson Attendance Sheet can be viewed here Previous Meeting Minutes: December s meeting was held at the Ori where the following motion was passed: Motion: To maintain subsidy for Healthy Harold Life Education. Moved, by John and seconded by Robyn & passed unanimously. @john: Also November s meeting minutes needs detail on who was selected for our vote to the P&C elections. Novembers minutes will then be confirmed in March Correspondence: We received some letters for uniform shop, fundraising and the committee in general. We received 3 copies of Parent & Citizen - will leave 2 copies with the front office should anyone wish to read it. It has some useful information about how meetings are run (including the AGM), insurance amongst other items. Treasurer Report (Kirsty) In summary, did a cashbook reconciliation (required for the auditor): link January figures: link Start of January $25199.17, end of Jan $25,032.89. Income was $45.72, Expenditure was nil, $212 in outstanding cheques were presented. Query asked: Ipad money yet to be spent (i.e. we have the money still) New treasurer will be required at the AGM in March (next meeting) as Kirsty has served her maximum term. Communications (Lance) facebook followers are climbing (approximately 160)
newsletter going ok, Lance going away again, Lara to step in Fundraising (Robyn & Lara) Spring Fair This year is Spring Fair, will need some extra helpers as our usual pool of volunteers has shrunk as children have gone to high school or moved away. It s likely that a separate committee will be setup. Will also look to have an information night to get things rolling. Other Fundraising events Easter Raffle / Disco are also coming up, will have a list for next meeting Ideas welcome for nights targeted more for the adults, such as a trivia night Canteen (Judy & Claire) Thanks to Judy and Clare (from all) for taking over canteen Judy and Claire have been on the job now for 2 weeks Minor changes to the menu more volunteers needed feedback from the auditor via Kirsty that we need to note who s banking the money Maintenance 1. Can the oven doors be looked at please, the handles are coming off Action - Michael to raise with the General Assistant 2. Wall fans and roof fans need cleaning (previously raised) Action - Michael explained that due to the height, OHS requires it to be raised through the Department of Education. Michael to raise Uniform (Julie) Good start $1600 in sales so far in term 1. Good uptake on the orientation packs and sports uniforms, now ordering a second batch. Had offers of credit so we have stock we haven t paid for yet. Request 1. Locked box in the office for people to drop off orders for people to leave orders who can t make it on Mondays. Action - Michael to talk to the General Assistant to cut a slot into the drawers that are already there. 2. Fan needed for the uniform shop, can the P&C approve $40 budget for a new fan please? (Note: tagging can be done in house when the person next comes around to test) Motion - approve a budget of $40 for purchase of a fan for the uniform shop; Moved by Julie, seconded by Troy & passed Grounds (Troy) We ve had plenty of rain, apologies from Phil did not pass on Troy feedback on sandpit. Troy will look at it this weekend. No bindi s and clover at present.
President s Report (John) Nothing to report, John thanked all for their hard work on the P&C. Warrimoo Citizens (Bob) Santa Day Thanks to the school for support for the Santa Day, particularly Nerida and the playgroup people for the jumping castle. We d like more activities like egg and spoon races if we can get more volunteers. Tires were fantastic for the kids to play in (thanks to the footy club) AGM AGM for the Citizens Association is on Thursday March 8 at the Fire Brigade, all invited. School most important focus of the association. State Election / Grants / State Issues Bob pointed out that it s a State Election year and suggested we ask candidates about our needs. Discussion around possible grants (e.g. Blaxland Primary got their SMS system through a grant). See discussion note in general business about grants. Other issues for the state election included adding a ramp in the south side of the railway so kids were able to get bikes safely across the railway. Principal's report (Michael) Full report can be viewed here: Link Items discussed around the report: Increase in funding for class support up due to the changes in the way it s assessed despite lower class numbers, due to a number of factors clarification on what is acceptable for school photos - for those girls who have the tunics, please wear them, but if you don t have them, white shirts are ok Requests for the P&C 1. Merit certificates and carnival ribbons (approved in previous years) $783.64 (link), plus Classroom items $2800 ($400 per class) to buy craft items to useful items, plus Reading / Recovery / Library. Total funds requested $2583.64 Motion to approve expenditure on the above $2583.64, moved by Robyn seconded by Troy and passed. 2. Notice Board - Michael has been asked if the P&C can get someone to update the information board outside near the front gate on a regular basis. Takes about 10 minutes. I missed who put their hand up for this please advise, ta phil - I think it may have been Nerida & Laura? General Business
Fundraising goals We discussed having fundraising goals list for the year which was generally agreed upon. List will need to be finalised. No milk in school lunches policy The no milk advice for lunches needs to be clarified - does this mean all dairy products? Action - Michael to advise specifics, needs to discuss with the parents involved Grants investigation Barbara has been researching grants in relation to the proposed arts projects with subsequent discussion around looking for grants on a regular basis, including how we could subscribe to a website that provides updated lists of grants on offer. Also we could look to have a grants role in the P&C where someone keeps on top of grants opportunities. Dollar for Dollar is a good example of a government grant that could work well for our school. Barbara happy to be a grants co-ordinator to find various grants and then to help others with the actual process of applying and Lara is keen to also look into what is available. Action - Barbara to bring back a cost on the subscription websites that provide list of available grants. Operation Art It was raised that only a limited number of kids get to Operation Art and how it s a wonderful activity for the children - P&C has funds available, could we assist in sending more children? Feedback from the teachers suggest that there are other ways we may be able to do it within the school for less. for example, a possible arts display at the spring fair? Teachers should be aware that the P&C is willing to contribute funds if the teachers want to put things forward. Gateway Funding Issue Recent government budget cuts has meant that Gateway Family Services are no longer able to send a staff member to the school to facilitate the supported playgroup that was being run in the school. Part of what made it attractive for parents was that it was hosted and relaxed, but also brought people into the school who would not normally visit it. This also coincided with last years closure of the other playgroup in Warrimoo. Parents who used the service in the school have expressed an interest in setting up something to replace this service. A range of issues would need to resolved, including but not limited to OHS. Tina & Julie are going to look to put together a proposal for the P&C at the next meeting. Newsletter / Permission Notes Suggestion that the option to opt into getting a hard copy newsletter be extended to have an option to get just the permission notes Action - Michael to discuss with the office to see if it s feasible Extra Curricular Activities
It was raised there are opportunities for extra activities outside the school that parents are finding out about through word of mouth. It was requested that a place on the school website be added so that these extra activities be listed so parents can be aware of them. The concern was although the teachers made the children aware of the activities, that they would not volunteer themselves. It was also acknowledged that a school of our size will find it difficult to offer extra activities and that this may be able to make up for that. An example of this was the transition group for dancing that feeds into Blaxland High which the school was not notified about. Action - Michael to chase up to ensure this years group does not miss out as well Ethics Michael has confirmed that Ethics is running again this term Shoe policy Michael confirmed that for sports days (specific day for each class to be advised at Parent Information nights next week), children can wear a soft jogger and there is no policy around the colour. For normal days, mainly black shoes to be worn Next Meeting AGM, followed by general meeting - Tuesday 10th March 7:30PM Meeting Close - 8:56PM