Minutes of P & C Meeting 2 September 2008

Unsure exactly when Mr Hoey will be returning to the school, he is currently relieving at Bondi Regional Office. Return date possibly before end of term 3 or beginning of term 4. Comment that parents did not know where he was. Ross Newman said parents had been advised thorugh the newsletter.

Plan to get rid of old demountables and new demountables be installed between hall and back fence. Old area will temporarily be part of playground. This should happen next holidays; as yet unconfirmed.

Building program will start at end of year (in holidays) and should take 10-12 months. Plans finalised and in Council awaiting approval.

Remaining question whether or not new hall building can be placed on the boundary. Current plans have hall at edge of property but Alan Hughes, Project Manager, not confident will be passed.

Mary-Ellen Bard asked whether building will be rendered. Likely it will be brick.

There will be a water tank under the playground which will provide water for the toilets.

Discussion of possibility of using local parks while playground is under construction.

Have asked permission for use of:

• Chiswick Gardens (should be OK as Pruniers is no longer trading, the reason use has previously been denied)
• Elms Reserve (behind corner of Ocean and Queens Streets)

• Lough Park also a possibility

Ken Butterfield will approach church to see if it can be used by the school. Managed by real estate agent – would we have to rent it at market value?

Mr Newman has also asked Fire Department if we can use their backyard to store sports equipment.

Sari Lemmetty asked what plans have been made for the fittings of the hall. To what extent is this the responsibility of the school – i.e. will some fittings be provided (ie PA system, lights, seats).

Does the school have a wish list? We need to start thinking now about exactly what we want inside the hall.

The $120,000 raised originally for the construction of the hall can be used for this purpose.

Ken Butterfield suggested we get a firm picture of what is being delivered as it may be easier and more cost-effective to incorporate furbishment upfront rather than retrofitting at the end of the process.

Can we approach government contractor to see whether school’s furbishment program can be incorporated in the building process?

Ross Newman not sure whether this can be done.

Thanks to Nicole Wright for instigating this program and carrying out negotiations with Camp Australia.

Vacation Care now being offered through Camp Australia. Bookings promising; early discount good incentive. We need 20 children a day for it to be viable. Also Nicole Wright has brought them down to a more competitive price: most schools in area provide vacation care programs.

Sari Lemmetty will send reminder for cut-off date.

There has been confusion amongst parents and students about what exactly the UNSW tests and NAPLAN (the national assessment program in literacy and numeracy).

Ross Newman explained that the UNSW Competition is a series of tests devised by UNSW in english, spelling, writing, maths, science etc.

While the school uses the results of the UNSW competition as an assessment tool, the tests are not based on NSW curriculum and are geared at the more able students. It is mainly for Years 5 and 6; Year 3 & 4 now participate.

Due to a clerical error Year 3 and 4 children sat all tests; in future years all parents will be given the option for their children to participate in all, some or none of the tests.

Megan Kalucy noted the main issue was a lack of communication and the question of the degree of consent.

It needed to be better explained to parents and students why they were sitting these tests (ie it is a competition and not an official program of individual assessment).

Mr Newman said next year UNSW exams will be optional.

Other principle issue one of privacy. Dissatisfaction with children being handed results directly, and without interpretation as this was upsetting for children.

Miranda Chaytor noted it would be better to post results directly to parents.

Maureen Hallahan noted that while these issues (ie distinction between Naplan and UNSW compettion) were clear amongst the teaching staff they had not been conveyed clearly to parents and children, and this needed to be addressed next year. There was a need to rethink the manner in which these competitions are delivered.

What is the value of WPS participating? – parents felt useful in applying for scholarships and OC programs. Value for school in assessing strengths and weaknesses, and in providing a perspective external to the NSW curriculum. Experience for children in external testing.

Did WPS use samples and practise questions? – only to demonstrate how tests should be done, not in terms of coaching or preparation.

Hannah Fink will fill role of Secretary until permanent officer can be found. Megan Kalucy will monitor P & C website.

Walkathon, Election Day, Halloween all coming up. Will there be Melbourne Cup event ?

Discussion of ideas for future events – ie a Fair along the lines of Bronte and Clovelly Schools (each of which raise approx. $100,000) and where there is great parent involvement.

Maureen Hallahan noted this would take two years in advance to plan. Could be to christen new hall in 2010.

Suggestion of musicians to perform at Halloween – noted many musicians at school with their own groups ie Catherine Fargher and Philip Johnson. Discussion also of parents running music or drama camps or workshops and providing lessons in musical instruments.

Need to redo Welcome bbq – Maureen Hallahan noted there needs to be a focus of welcome and someone explicitly welcoming.

To be discussed next meeting – ie toilet renovations. All parents and staff are invited to submit proposals at the next meeting.