St Mary Star of the Sea College P&F General Meeting Minutes 1 August 2012 (7:00pm) - Polding Learning Centre
Attendance:
Maggie Henderson (S) Rob Anderson (T) Cathy Briand-James, Megan Waud (P), Catherine Sutton (VP), Janelle Denelly (VP), Frank Pitt (Principal), Jennifer Portman, Adam Cruickshank, Maria Orr, Zoran Jovanoski, Kevin Grimmer, Carlos?
Opening Prayer – Thank you Frank Pitt. 1. Apologies Helen Bow, Christine Rutherford 2. Minutes of Previous General Meeting Actions carried over Refer to list attached. Accepted: Seconded:
Jennifer Portman Cathy Briand-James
3. Correspondence (In)
Thank you from Rosie Gardiner (Social Justice Captain) who participated in the YMCA NSW Youth parliament representing Environment and Heritage. Unable to get here tonight due to HSC trials
Request for sponsorship from Georgia Ohrdorf – refer to 6. Treasurer’s report
Request for funding from Mr Bell re: science fair – refer to 6. Treasurer’s report
4. President’s Report President’s report attached. Marie Vitnell: Question about handover of governance – (FP) no change from college perspective. Looking at the model because nuns are getting older and concerned about maintaining presence. Representation is based on Good Samaritan Sisters. Worked a few years with the bishops, and established ‘good Samaritan education’ which nuns are coordinating. Originally set up as a teaching order but the younger nuns are not teachers. Will be a gentle handover to principals, slight change in protocols as we will now be working with the ‘good Samaritan education’. Want to remain independent and follow the tradition of the good Samaritans. Accepted: Seconded:
Catherine Sutton Kevin Grimmer
5. Principal’s Report Principal’s report attached.
St Mary Star of the Sea College P&F General Meeting Minutes 1 August 2012 (7:00pm) - Polding Learning Centre Megan Waud: No more School Certificate Year 10– (FP) Record Of School Achievement (ROSA) is the replacement. SMSOTS students usually stay on to complete years 11 and 12. Permission is required by parents to leave the college at an earlier age. iPpad trials: liked it as it is connected all the time, majority enjoyed it, now looking at just using iPads, not laptops. Catholic education in Wollongong interested in trial as they are doing work with other schools. Year 8 trialled the iPad. Gerry sozio moving to Catholic Education in Wollongong. Dr Joanne Hack will fill in for the remainder of the term. Annual school report is now on website. Ideal: All college applications available with one button. Now able to run an apple platform at the college. Has there been any indication from the Board of Studies to use computers for HSC? – Envisaged for 2015. Accepted: Seconded:
Maria Orr Adam Cruikshank
5. Financial Report Treasurer’s report attached.
Sponsorship guidelines: Rob Anderson presented the proposal to the floor. P&F to monitor applications according to other commitments throughout the year. o
Issue for further discussion: excursion vs representation of college, basketball vs OS trip for language students.
o
College does contribute towards funding requests
The P&F propose the guidelines as presented to be adopted as a guideline for future requests. Frank Pitt seconded and passed unanimously.
Request for sponsorship from Georgia Ohrdorf – All schools basketball, propose $400 towards cost as per the guidelines. All in favour? Passed unanimously.
Request for funding from Mr Bell re: science fair – $300. All in favour? Passed unanimously
Request for funding from Jodie Harris re: funding for musical instruments for Indonesian studies. Request for $2780 Rob Anderson proposed that the P&F contribute the amount requested for a set of Angklungs. Seconded by Maria Orr.
Rob Anderson proposed the P&F contribute up to the total of $1000 for the spirit awards. Jennifer Portman seconded.
St Mary Star of the Sea College P&F General Meeting Minutes 1 August 2012 (7:00pm) - Polding Learning Centre Accepted:
Cathy Briand-James
Seconded:
Catherine Sutton
6. Pastoral Care Update Liaised with Sister Rita to ask parents from the school to store in freezer for families in need. Requests were made x 12, meals coming into the student office this week. Thank you to the parents on the email list for their response. And thank Sister Rita for all the work she does for the school. If you want to go on the roster, contact Sister Rita or Catherine Sutton. 7. P&F events Update 

Documentary of Godspell, Chantelle (Filmaker) interviewed performers and other students and staff who participated. Staged in June. The P&F Executive discussed the option of gifting the DVDs to the participants. Would work out at about $1.65 per person around $825 to produce. Marie Pulford very excited to showcase the college. Try St Marys for a day may showcase the dvd. o
Non participants to pay $5
o
Movie screening night (date) to be advised, waiting for the DVD to be finalised, will sell at the movie night. Chantelle has been paid an instalment.
Grad lunch date confirmed 18/9/2012, deposit paid
11. General Business 11.1
Alternative schoolies Michael Carr Gregg spoke about it, no response from catholic care re the program implemented by the Good Samaritan Sisters who took a group of girls to Tanzania via Dubai. Went to under privileged areas as an alternative to schoolies. Lot of schools introducing this type of alternative.
11.2
Gerry Sozio departure Traditionally the P&F have donated a gift on behalf of the community. It was proposed by the P&F that the amount of $300.00 be contributed towards a BBQ. All in favour. Passed unanimously.
Other Business None. Meeting closed: 9.04pm Next meeting: Term 3, 04 September at 7pm
St Mary Star of the Sea College P&F General Meeting Minutes 1 August 2012 (7:00pm) - Polding Learning Centre Agenda item T1M1/7.1
Action items carried over
(P&F) Promotional flyer for Year 7 BBQ Maggie to draft Promo flyer
T1M1/9.4
Outcome/Updates
Responsible
Due date
BBQ postponed so will draft closer Maggie to next scheduled date Henderson
SES Cadet Program booked up for 2012.
CLOSED
Frank Pitt
In progress
Frank to follow up for 2013.
Agenda item T2/4.1
Action items NEW!
present proposal on criteria for sponsorships at next meeting
Action
Draft proposal
Responsible
P&F Executive
Status
Due date
Status
Closed
Attachments Presidents Report Welcome Frank, Staff and Parents. Thank you everyone for your attendance. I would like to acknowledge the wonderful opportunity provided by Catholic Care in hosting the psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg in the SGN Hall in late June. The afternoon/evening was very well attended by St. Mary’s staff, parents and clinical professionals from the Illawarra. Although quite long, running from 4pm – 9.30pm, the information was invaluable and presented by Mr Carr-Gregg in a very entertaining format. I would like to thank Frank, Good Samaritan Education and Sisters of the Good Samaritan for inviting me to attend the handover of College Governance, a fortnight ago at the Sisters headquarters in Glebe. The ceremony was brief but warm and poignant, with representatives from all Good Sam schools in attendance, and followed by a late, but substantial afternoon tea, which provided an opportunity for everyone to chat in a relaxed environment. Although sad that the situation has arisen that the handover became necessary, it presents a new opportunity for the Sisters to play a greater pastoral role in the Good Sam school communities, whilst being relieved of much of the management responsibilities. Godspell documentary filming is complete, and Chantelle has overcome the difficulties she encountered with a faulty camera, and hopes to have editing completed in the next 4 weeks. Chantelle would like to thank the P&F for this wonderful opportunity, and says that she has had a ball making the documentary and working with the performers. The invitations for the Yr12 Graduation Lunch at the Lagoon Restaurant on 18th September, will be mailed in the coming days, and with over 170 girls in the cohort, it is anticipated that it will be well attended by Yr 12 students and their parents. Finally, I would like to wish Year 12 students and their families a smooth journey in the lead up to the HSC. Megan Waud P&F President
Principals Report The staff and students returned on Monday 16 July after a reasonable break and an opportunity to take time to regather themselves after a hectic first semester. The Year 12 students have returned for their final term of their high school career. The girls had a busy holiday as they worked on assessment tasks, completed study notes and prepared for their Trial HSC Exams which commenced on Monday 30 July. For Year 12 students, Term Three is a roller coaster ride of emotions as they navigate the trials, they complete all of the assessment requirements for their courses, prepare to undertake the HSC and enjoy the many celebrations that are a part of coming to the end of their secondary schooling. The Year 12 Academic Assembly will be held on Monday 17 September, followed by the Graduation Mass on Tuesday 18 September and their Formal on Friday 21 September. As you are aware, in 2011, the NSW Minister for Education announced that School Certificate tests would not continue beyond that year. From 2012, eligible students who leave school before receiving their Higher School Certificate will receive the NSW Record of School Achievement (RoSA). While all students currently receive grades for courses they complete at the end of Year 10, this system will be extended to also capture grades for courses a student completes in Year 11. If a student leaves school before receiving a grade in Year 11 or 12 courses, their RoSA will record the courses they commenced. The college continues implement the strategic plan and we are at the stage of checking on our progress in a number of the areas we have targeted for 2012. One area that has received a significant amount of attention is the development of our facilities in section 5 of the plan The Enterprise. The goal of this focus area is to ‘provide an innovative, unique and sought after educational environment’. To this end, we have contracted a Project Manager and an architect to begin the design phase of our projects. The projects include the building of a new gymnasium with facility for an exercise science lab, the renovation of the SGN Hall including a remodelling of the entrance and foyer and the redesign of the hall to provide an effective performance space and a multi‐functional space that can be used for both formal and informal functions and activities. There will also be an additional floor added to D Block to provide more contemporary learning spaces. It is also hoped to make more effective use of the outdoor areas around this building with renovation work to be undertaken on each floor. The college was represented by five Year 11 girls who gave up the second week of the school holidays to work with groups in Sydney as part of the Ministry Outreach program that is organised by the Good Samaritan Mission Team. This program brings together girls from the Good Samaritan Colleges to live and work together for a week. The girls met people who served the poor, the homeless, the disabled and refugee communities. The girls found the experience to be both humbling and deeply gratifying and they certainly had the opportunity to see the generosity and compassion of people at work in very ordinary and very practical ways. Preparations are underway for Good Sams Day as the college community celebrates the history of the college and acknowledges the work of the Good Samaritan Order in Wollongong. Good Sams Day will be held on Friday 17 August and will commence with a Mass followed by the normal festivities that are part of such a celebration. Our girls are already busy planning activities, organising rides, booking entertainment and of course working on the catering for such a celebration. We will also be introducing new awards to recognise and acknowledge the work of students, staff and members of our community who live out their vocation to be Good Samaritans in our midst. We hope that the new Good Samaritan Awards will provide us with the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of those who neither seek nor expect recognition for the great work that they day at the college on a daily basis.
The iPad trial is complete and a draft report has been received. The students in the trial have been very positive about the use of iPads in the classroom and their logs reveal that the girls have been quite creative in the ways that they have used this technology for school use and as a tool for entertainment and communication. We are commencing a second trial in an effort to see how the girls cope with the iPad as the only technology that they have to work with. We will be working with the Wollongong CEO on this trial as they are keen to explore the possibilities of introducing iPads as the technology of choice in a number of their schools. We are also working with staff to look at how iPads can be used in the classroom and as a tool to assist with the many administrative tasks that are now a part of a teachers work. The college continues to install short throw projectors into classrooms and in areas where they are required. We continue to see the benefits of this technology as a means of making lessons more interactive and providing opportunities for students to share their knowledge and expertise in ways that are simple and help to add to the knowledge base of the class. Mr Gerry Sozio, our Dean of Curriculum, has accepted a position at the Wollongong Catholic Education Office as an advisor in the area of curriculum. Gerry will be a wonderful asset to the CEO and a he will be a tremendous resource to school principals and teachers in systemic schools. He will take up his new position half way through Term Three and Dr Joanne Hack, our Dean of Mission and Innovation, will cover Gerry’s role until the end of Term Three. Gerry has done an outstanding job during his time at St Mary’s both as Maths Coordinator and as a Deputy Principal. He is very highly regarded by the staff and will be greatly missed. I mentioned in the newsletter that the college Annual School Report for 2011 has been submitted to the NSW Board of Studies and is on the college website. The report provides a snapshot of the college, reporting on the academic, pastoral, social and extra‐curricular life of the college. It also provides an insight into parent satisfaction levels, the destinations of our graduates and our goals for the 2012 school year. The report can be found on the college website: www.stmarys.nsw.edu.au Frank Pitt Principal
Treasurer’s Report to August 28th 2012 1. Cheque Account (in Dollars)
RECEIPTS:
1/1
Opening Balance
31/3
Interest
35.81
30/6
Interest
33.49
28/5
SMSOTS Laptop Balance
18/5
P&F Levy #1
32,381.60
7/8
P&F Levy #2
32,184.40
58,377.55
336.09
TOTAL INCOME:
+64,971.39
EXPENSES: Cheque No.
Date
661496
Description
Amount
Not Drawn/Voided
0.00
661497
27/2
P&F Secretary’s Laptop
2,000.00
661498
28/3
Yr7 BBQ Soft drinks
661499
28/3
Yr 12 Graduation Lunch
661500
17/4
Student Grant – A.M. - Cheerleading
200.00
661501
20/4
Student Grant – C.K. – Cheerleading
200.00
661502
14/5
Yr7 BBQ Chipmasters
661503
7/5
Yr7 BBQ Packaging Direct
661504
8/5
Yr7 BBQ Figtree Bakehouse
661505
21/5
Yr7 BBQ Illawarra Meats
384.40
661506
14/5
Yr7 BBQ Betta Maid
150.70
661507
11/5
Yr7 BBQ Chico’s Figtree
188.30
661508
7/6
Yr7 BBQ Incidentals (onions, ice drinks)
145.59
661509
16/5
Payment #1, 2012 Grant to St Mary’s
661510
16/5
Purchase - 3 Coolers
487.00
661511
16/5
Student Grant – R.G. – Parliament
150.00
661512
16/5
Student Grant – E.Y. – Football
200.00
661513
22/8
Payment #2, 2012 Grant to St Mary’s
661514
16/8
Student Grant – G.O. - Basketball
277.59 1,000.00
30.00 119.04 81.30
36,774.10
25,476.00 400.00 TOTAL EXPENSES:
BALANCE:
68,264.02 55,084.92
2. Term Deposit Account (in Dollars)
RECEIPTS:
1/1
Opening Balance
24/3
Interest
1,057.02
24/6
Interest
1,083.29
77,085.66
TOTAL INCOME:
2,140.31
WITHDRAWALS: Cheque No.
Date
Description
Amount
Nil
0.00 TOTAL EXPENSES:
BALANCE:
79,225.97
TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE:
3.
0.00
134,310.89
Projections and Commitments (in Dollars)
PROJECTED INCOME:
P&F Levy Payment # 3 due November 2012 (approx)
32,000.00 TOTAL INCOME:
32,000.00
ALLOCATED FUNDS:
St Mary’s College 2011 Grants remaining
11,750.90
St Mary’s College 2012 Grant – Godspell Staging
3,000.00
St Mary’s College 2012 Grant – Godspell DVD Production (approx)
3,500.00
St Mary’s College 2012 Grant – Sport Uniforms
12,000.00
St Mary’s College 2012 Grant – Science Fair
300.00
St Mary’s College 2012 Grant – Indonesian Studies Equipment
2,780.00
St Mary’s College 2012 Grant – Spirit Awards
1,000.00
Departure gift for Mr. G. Sozio
300.00
Purchase Godspell DVDs for participants
825.00 Total Allocated Expenditure:
PROJECTED TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE:
-35,455.90
130,854.99
Guidelines for Sponsorships and Student Funding Requests 1) All applications initially via College Principal. 2) Students are limited to one application per year. 3) We will consider funding for: a) any activity or event directly representing St Mary’s College (funding up to limits set below). OR b) any activity or event or which embodies the values and ideals of St Mary’s College and is deemed of direct interest to the school community, but does not directly represent the College (final funded amount may be reduced by 50%). 4) Funding will be limited as below, and also, must not exceed half of the applicants total expenditure. 5) Students must be willing to report their activity/event to St Mary’s College, the P&F and the College newsletter. 6) In general, the limits are: Individual applicants:
NSW/ACT Australia beyond NSW Asia/Pacific Other International
$200 $400 $600 $800
Group applications (1 or 2 students may apply individually, 3 or more must apply as a group). Amount is per group: Groups of 3-10: NSW/ACT $400 Australia beyond NSW $800 Asia/Pacific $1,200 Other International $1,600 Groups of 11+:
NSW/ACT Australia beyond NSW Asia/Pacific Other International
$800 $1,200 $1,600 $2,000
7) No annual limit to total funding has been set at present, but the P&F will monitor funding requests and impose annual limits if necessary. Proposed: July 2012