FROM THE PRESIDENT’S PEN

On behalf of State Council and staff I wish all our P&Cs a warm welcome to 2023.

Our Kimberley school communities had a challenging start to the year, with the recent floods impacting communities across the region. I want to congratulate the efforts of the Director General and her team for their quick response on the ground I also want to recognise the local community members who quietly go about supporting their communities often unseen in the media but making a great difference to those they assist We know emergency response does not end when the event is over, instead ongoing support is required to help the recovery of people and infrastructure.

This edition sees us welcome the newly appointed Minster for Education, the Hon Dr Tony Buti MLA WACSSO has a long history of working with government Ministers to highlight and address the concerns of parents of public school students I look forward to a productive working relationship with Minister Buti

I would like to recognize the commitment and drive of former Minister for Education, the Hon Sue Ellery MLC. In late 2019 Sue welcomed a newly elected WACSSO President, who initially lacked the finesse and scope she was used to Accessible and open to hearing the issues raised by WACSSO both in meetings, and by P&Cs at Conference, Sue understood the vital role of parents and carers in children’s education Together we worked through the challenges of a pandemic and its impact on school communities On behalf of WACSSO and P&Cs, I thank her for her commitment to the wellbeing and education of Western Australia’s children and youth

The start of the year is AGM season for P&Cs All P&Cs should have received your P&C Handbook, if not please contact the WACSSO office. The Handbook is an essential resource for your committee, containing important compliance information, as well as tips and guides to help your committee function well and play a community-building role within your school.

It is essential that you use the 2023 P&C Handbook and not the previous version as there have been a number of updates One of these updates is the P&C Annual Contributions Report, which was the former P&C Contributions Survey, page 6 has more information on how we will be collecting this valuable data WACSSO recently released the three-year capture of the contributions of P&Cs to public education in WA Averaging nearly $12,000,000 annually across the three years of the pandemic, this is a significant community investment in children’s education Thank you, well done Let’s keep going! You can find more information on the 2022 survey results in this edition of the P&C Voice.

WACSSO recently contributed to the parliamentary inquiries into School Refusal and Vaping These submissions are informed by your voice While submissions are one of our advocacy avenues, public comment is another. You may have read the article in the West Australian in mid-February where I spoke about the cost of school book lists, specifically the increase of expensive electronic devices on these book lists WACSSO Policy, informed by you, calls for public education to be fully resourced. This includes schools equipped with modern technology for all students and the supporting infrastructure and maintenance of such technology

Looking ahead, we are already planning our 2023 Conference. Have you nominated your delegates for this year’s Conference? If you have new members, why not buddy an experienced member with a new member and send them to Conference? We are planning an exciting weekend of P&C development/workshops, advocacy, networking, and a bumper exhibition hall, full of things relating to P&Cs

I am also excited to announce the research partnership with Murdoch University, following a successful grant application to Volunteering WA. The project, Volunteer engagement Building parent participation in P&Cs across Western Australia will engage current, prospective, and former P&C members and ask them a series of questions on parent participation, and barriers to and enablers of volunteering. I thank you in advance for your participation in this important project

In closing, I wanted to acknowledge outgoing Senior Vice President Jenny Blair. Jenny has served as a WACSSO State Councillor for the Perth North electorate since 2015, and in 2017 was elected Senior Vice President (SVP) The role of SVP does not receive the credit it deserves This essential leadership role requires strength of character, mentoring skills, and a high level of professionalism. As an expert guiding hand behind the scenes, Jenny’s education and training background has been invaluable in the shaping and delivery of WACSSO policy and advocacy submissions Jenny has been a champion of WACSSO’s environmental actions ensuring that as an organisation we seek opportunities to make sustainability changes, and connect with stakeholders who help amplify the climate action vison of affiliates and students Jenny, we thank you for your commitment to public education, always reinforcing to us that education has the power to change lives

Pania Turner, WACSSO President

As I reflect on the start of the 2023 school year and settle into Term 1, it is safe to say the new school year has been a new start for all of us. But what a great start it has been.

I had the pleasure of opening one of four new public primary schools, Landsdale Gardens Primary School, on Day 1, as well as visit seven other schools in the first week of school. It was terrific to see so many students excited to be back at school!

I have also been able to visit some of the schools in flood-affected areas in the Kimberley. My thoughts are with all the families, students and staff in these floodaffected areas as the flood recovery process continues

I believe that the support parents and carers provide to schools is crucial and I want to take this opportunity to share with you a bit about myself and my background, and my commitment to education

When I graduated from Kelmscott Senior High School, I went on to study to become a physical education and science teacher. I taught for a few years and then undertook further study to become a lawyer and practised law for 10 years, before I went on to lecture in law at the University of Western Australia and Murdoch University

I was elected the member for Armadale in 2010, and my first ministerial appointment was in March 2021 as the Minister for Finance; Lands; Sports and Recreation; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests

From December 2021 to December 2022, I was responsible for the Finance; Aboriginal Affairs; Racing and Gaming; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests portfolios

In December 2022, I was appointed Minister for Education; Aboriginal Affairs; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests.

Education has given me many incredible opportunities and my time both as a secondary teacher and university lecturer reinforced my commitment to just how crucial teachers and school staff are in shaping the lives of students. I am committed to supporting our teachers and school staff to go above and beyond for your children I have three adult children of my own, and just like you, I wanted to ensure they achieved their potential when they were in school.

In my down time I love to read and believe that reading expands our horizons – I cannot wait to launch this year’s Premier’s Ready Challenge with the Premier. I have also published a few books, the most recent being Alkira, named after my daughter, which challenges us to rethink how we approach disability to move toward a more just and inclusive society

I am also a keen runner and in the early mornings can often be spotted running through the Kelmscott hills or on my way to Parliament I also can’t wait for the AFL season to start – I am sure it is going to be a tremendous year for the Dockers!

The most important thing I want to share with you though, is my commitment to doing all I can to make a real difference in the lives of students so that they have the foundations for a successful future

I want students to be encouraged to embrace the opportunities and face the challenges that may come their way And especially for senior secondary students, to fully commit themselves to ensure they achieve what is needed for their chosen pathway.

I hope that together with your schools we can all work in collaboration to ensure every student in Western Australia can continue to have the greatest chance to realise their potential

I would also like to acknowledge the work and commitment of the Hon Sue Ellery MLC as the previous Minister for Education, and the range of initiatives the State Government has put in place over the last five years to support our students and our schools.

Our schools are amazing places and the work being undertaken in them truly does change lives I look forward to being able to visit as many schools as I can and meeting you all. Your commitment and support to your local school is crucial to its success and seeing it thrive

Thank you for your support and I wish you all the very best for the 2023 school year

The Hon Dr Tony Buti Minister for Education; Aboriginal Affairs; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests

T H E M I N I S T E R

M E S S A G E F R O M