Old Southportonians’ Association

MR MATT WRIGHT president

The Parent and Friends Association Inc. is one entity of many that works to contribute and support some of the many aspects of our great school. May I provide an overview of the last two years of activities and achievements, contributing to The Southport School, the support groups and ultimately your sons in 2017, 2018 and future.

In 2017, Treasurer Matt Brown, Secretary Bruce Cossill and I, took over the helm of the P&F from the outgoing committee of Glenn Denniston, Paul Shields and Luella Smith. Under Glenn’s leadership the P&F commenced a journey of change, implementing cloud based accounting and point of sale software, providing the foundations to introduce an on-line Uniform Store as well as electronic banking. Annual P&F audit reports for some years had indicated change was required in fiscal controls and practices. This began with restructuring our sixteen bank accounts held across the support groups. It delivered new services from NAB including the deployment of mobile EFTPOS terminals, which have been a huge success. In September 2017 the on-line store went live and has progressively grown in popularity within the TSS Community. May I acknowledge the contribution of Erica Stewart and Ruth Benjamin-Thomas as well as the many TSS students who modelled uniform for website pictures. In mid October 2017, with unanimous support at a special meeting, the P&F and all its support groups agreed to contribute $150,000 over three years towards the new gym and deck facility now built on the eastern end of the Centenary Centre. In addition to this, the P&F committed a further $150,000 ($300,000 combined) over the same period, to assist in the building of a new uniform store planned for 2019. The P&F intends to establish a perpetual contribution to special projects. During this time, we introduced the P&F and support group on-line portal and electronic file repository, TSS email addresses, as well as registration of all newly elected office bearers and student protection inductions. In May 2018 Matt Brown and I returned for our final year as office bearers on the TSS P&F. I wish to acknowledge the contribution Bruce Cossill as Secretary. John Bennetts was elected as our new Secretary, a grandparent to current students of TSS. Also appointed at the AGM was Anthony Wolfenden to the P&F Executive, with a focus to provide steerage and direction of the P&F’s electronic systems. In June 2018 we saw the departure of Lachlan Webb from the TSS Store, to complete his degree in Education on a full-time basis, and in September Les Grey retired after 22 years of service at TSS. On behalf of the broader school parent community, we thank you both for your professionalism, sincerity and kindness you provided every person with whom you interacted. Also, a special mention to Sue Miller who provided bookkeeping services to the P&F, as well as Bec Dunn and Peta Barker who have filled in as caretakers of our store after Les and Lachlan’s departures. The P&F have and remain the primary sponsor for the after-school tutoring program championed by Deputy Headmaster Andrew Hawkins. This is proving very successful and we will continue this support and product indefinitely. The P&F also sponsored by way of TSS Store vouchers for the TSS Fundraising for Farmer Draught relief.

Early in my tenure it became apparent that the scope and responsibilities of the P&F required dedicated resource, beyond volunteering alone. This ultimately led to the creation of the P&F Liaison Officer role, and the appointment in Term Four 2018 of Mrs Spring Bird. I would like to make special mention and acknowledge our Headmaster Mr Greg Wain, TSS Business Manager Mr Ross Cardiff and the School Council and their Chairman, Mr Fraser Perrin for their support of the P&F to create and fund this role.

By December 2018 the transition to 100% paperless, electronic banking solutions were complete. It has seen the retirement of the cheque book, replaced by cloud and device based solutions. In 2019 this infrastructure will provide new services to support groups making volunteers jobs easier, faster and simpler. The TSS P&F operates the TSS Store under licence from the TSS School Council. What started in late November 2017, where the P&F asked the school to review our store operations, ultimately led to requests to leading school uniform suppliers across

Australia for proposals to supply and possibly operate the TSS Store. The extensive process of selection being finalised in November 2018.

With some excitement 2019 will herald a new beginning for not only the supply of uniform to students, supporter wear and a new on-line experience but also a new Uniform Store itself at the Ferry Road car park, liberating space in the Centenary Centre as our sports program grows. We anticipate this to be a class leading store, providing a new service and experience to our community. On behalf of the P&F, and in addition to Mr Wain, Mr Cardiff and Mr Perrin acknowledged earlier, I would like to also acknowledge the support received from Brent Buckley, Richard Humphreys, Michelle Green, Chrysta Cowan, Michelle Gyde, Anne Graham and most recently Spring Bird. Special mention must go to Mr Hawkins and Mr Hain who attend all our meetings, contribute, and provide steerage and council to our team.

2018 has seen an unprecedented amount of volunteer effort and work by the P&F Executive. From gym funding, to focus groups, stakeholder meetings, software systems, implementation of policies and procedures, to travelling interstate. We have had to consider many aspects and make significant decisions with lasting impacts well beyond our tenure as executive members of the TSS P&F. With every change implemented we have focused on value to families, of volunteer’s time, support programs and services that ultimately benefit TSS students. I have been privileged to have three fantastic gentlemen on the P&F Executive. Each has contributed significantly in areas of their expertise, time and more. To Matt Brown, John Bennetts and Anthony Wolfenden, the TSS community is privileged and grateful for your commitment and contribution. Most sincerely - thank you. Finally, on behalf of the P&F Executive, I would like to wish the entire TSS community the very best for a great 2019.