P&C Voice Term 2 2024

WACSSO NEWSLETTER

P&C VOICE

P&C Voice Term Two 2024

What’s inside?

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S PEN MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR GENERAL CELEBRATING P&C DAY WA BREAKING THE YELLING CYCLE WITH POSITIVE PARENTING STRATEGIES: ADVICE FROM TRIPLE P P&C Q&A HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS AT SCHOOL GOOD NEWS STORIES (SO MANY!!)

NOTICEBOARD: WACSSO CONFERENCE 2024

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The Western Australian Council of State School Organisations pays respect to First Nations people and Traditional Custodians throughout Australia, recognising their connection to land, waters and sky. We acknowledge parents, families, Elders and communities as first educators, sharers of culture and knowledge; and recognise the value this learning holds for children and young people.

P&C VOICE

A wonderful start to

2024 Last week saw us celebrate P&C Day WA together. Over the weekend, I spent time scrolling through all the messages of thanks and acknowledgment that schools put up in recognition of the day.

While I know not every school made a big fuss of their P&C (which is something we’re working on!), it was heartening to see just how many schools did recognise their volunteers. From videos of original songs sang by the children your efforts directly impact, to handmade thank you cards and snapshots of all the incredible projects undertaken by hardworking volunteers, the list of accolades was long and impressive. We introduced P&C Day WA not only to draw public attention to the role of P&Cs, but also to give you, our members, a chance to take a step back and reflect on your achievements. I hope that no matter how you were celebrated last week, your P&C members were able to reflect together on the positive difference you make to your school communities.

Your State Council has been very active in the first part of this year, attending meetings and round tables to raise the voice of public school parents at the highest levels. We were pleased to be consulted during the review process that led to the Post-Secondary Schools Report. I encourage all high school parents to read the report and our high school P&Cs to consider making a submission in response to the findings. We will be providing a response informed by parent views, so if you have a perspective on this report, please get in touch.

Your Council is also preparing our Position Papers ahead of both the State and Federal elections next year. You have likely noticed that local government members are very active in their communities currently, and this is a regular feature of the election cycle.

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S PEN An update from Pania Turner

Now is when your local member is keen to connect with you, hear how they can represent you best and look for ways to support your school community. If you are keen to build a relationship with your local member, make sure you reach out to your State Councillor for advice on how to do this. Finally, together with our Senior Vice President and Executive Officer, I was pleased to attend the P&Cs QLD Conference earlier this month. We engaged in roundtable discussions our national colleagues on a range of national issues, had the opportunity to hear from some great guest speakers and meet P&C representatives from Queensland communities. It was a fantastic trip and we each came back brimming with information and ideas, ready to share with WACSSO State Council and staff.

You may have noticed that we’re starting to prepare for Conference 2024. Part of this preparation involves working with P&Cs on Agenda Items for our AGM session. Agenda Items help shape the strategic focus of your WACSSO team and are in response to issues broadly impacting P&Cs and schools. If you have identified an issue that is having significant impact on your community, I strongly encourage you to discuss this with your State Councillor to see if it could be formulated into an Agenda Item. Past Agenda Items include a review of the National Schools Chaplaincy Program, funding of CCTV in public schools and assessment equity for students. We have produced a helpful video for P&Cs considering raising an Agenda Item.

I’d like to thank P&Cs for updating their details and completing our new financial information form. We’ve been able to collect fantastic data as a part of this process and now have a much more robust picture of the combined impact of our P&Cs across WA. We are still crunching the numbers, but we look forward to providing a summary of your impact at Conference. At Conference we are also looking forward to providing P&Cs with the much-anticipated set of resources for attracting volunteers, developed in partnership with Murdoch University as a part of the research project funded by Volunteering WA. We’re also putting the finishing touches on an exciting line up of speakers, workshops and exhibitors. I look forward to revealing our program to you in the coming weeks. If you are yet to meet and vote on your Conference delegates, I encourage you to do so as soon as possible – 25% of available tickets have already been booked. You can register for WACSSO Conference 2024 here.

As we head towards the mid-year break, please make sure to schedule some down time, rest with your family and recharge for the second half of the year.

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P&C VOICE

Message from the Director General I continue to be amazed and delighted at the creative and innovative ways P&Cs foster community engagement and deliver on fundraising goals for our schools. I’ve seen many wonderful videos and photographs from across the state from P&C Day WA; I hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating, and being celebrated!

Lisa Rodgers Director General, Education

Last year the Minister for Education, Hon. Dr. Tony Buti announced a review of the School Education Act 1999 to improve access, inclusion, and services within public schools to better meet the needs of children with disabilities and their families. A panel of accessibility and inclusion experts are looking at the Act through a lens of participation, recognition, enrolment, equity, rights and attitudes towards young people with disabilities, with the aim of improving access, inclusion and services for young people with disabilities. With the final report due at the end of 2024, I look forward to reading the recommendations, and sharing them with you.

And speaking of champion efforts, we’ve seen an impressive start to this year’s Premier’s Reading Challenge, with more than 40,000 readers registered and a record number of 222,384 books read in just the first three weeks! Kindergarten to Year 10 students are encouraged to read for enjoyment and improved literacy levels, with the challenge to read 12 books over 4 months. There are awesome prizes to win each week, so I’d love to see P&Cs championing this initiative in their schools.

Education has a crucial role to play in facilitating change, and education systems that foster respect, value diversity and dignity, and embrace and accommodate difference are critical in building the foundations for a society that promotes participation, acceptance, and inclusion. The role that P&Cs play in our communities is a vital part of this process of change for the better.

Term 2 has seen some exciting announcements around new initiatives, and updates to work in progress, to deliver greater opportunities for our students, teachers, and school communities.

In April, Education Minister, Hon. Dr. Tony Buti announced the creation of a specialist School of Swimming and Water Safety to enhance swimming programs across WA. The new school will address barriers to participation and provide a culturally responsive environment, providing the Aussie rite of passage of learning to swim and be safe around water to many more children, something we can all celebrate.

A reminder for families: be sure to claim your WA Student Assistance Payment, the one-off payment to families of eligible students to ease cost-of-living pressures by assisting with out-of-pocket school expenses, before Friday 28 June 2024. The $250 payment for each secondary student, and $150 for each primary school or Kindergarten student is available for parents and carers. Be sure to have your child’s WA Student Number (WASN) handy when you complete the application. This can be found on school reports including previous NAPLAN reports. It may also be on a secondary student’s SmartRider.

With applications closing at the end of term, it would be wonderful to share this with your school communities to ensure everyone who is eligible can apply before the closing date.

I’m pleased to share an update on the Pathways to Post School Success Review, a process with the aim of ensuring all WA students can reach their full potential through their post-school study, training, or employment journey. Earlier this month, the Review’s Expert Panel released a draft version of its report and is now inviting community feedback. Read the Expert Panel Report: Consultation Draft and submit your thoughts before 16 August 2024 to have your say around enhancing our senior secondary education system, to provide accessible and meaningful pathways for all students.

As we reach the halfway mark of 2024, I want to extend my gratitude to everyone in our school communities for their continued dedication to helping students excel in their education. Best wishes to all for the remainder of the year.

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P&C VOICE

So much admiration and appreciation for our P&Cs! What a fantastic day! These photos are just a small sample of what we saw posted online.

Amazing P&C Day WA 2024 Synopsis of celebrations

We absolutely LOVED seeing all the photos pouring in on Friday 24 May, in celebration of P&C Day WA 2024.

From morning teas to thank you cards, from social media shout outs to visiting dignitaries, we hope our P&Cs really felt the love from their communities. You guys give so much, it really warms our hearts to see you celebrated.

We have a short survey that we encourage you to fill in to help us with next year’s event. Hop online here and tell us how you celebrated.

WACSSO thanks and acknowledges FreshSNAP for their support as event partner this year.

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P&C VOICE

Do you think your students could be drinking more water?

Every school has its quirks. But there is the one woe that you'll hear again and again… the universal complaint about the boring bubbler.

Fear not. There's a solution that’s as refreshing as a long summer break.

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P&C VOICE

Banner Launch A good news story from Northcliffe District High School Adapted from the article written

by Nic Sinclair in ‘Northcliffe’s Karri Pigeon’ (July 2023)

The P&C has been passionate about cultural awareness and inclusion and is delighted that the banners are now available for everyone to enjoy.

Northcliffe District High School now has a beautiful set of banners depicting the six Noongar seasons flying proudly at the school's entrance, following a major project that came to fruition in 2023. The P&C has been passionate about cultural awareness and inclusion and is delighted that the banners are now available for everyone to enjoy. These banners acknowledge the ongoing presence of First Nations people and celebrate the seasons, geography, flora and fauna of this area.

The banners were designed by Noongar artist Natalie Clark from Djarliny Designs in Dunsborough, and they represent the school’s ongoing cultural awareness program and commitment to Reconciliation. The initial phase of the project saw students work with Bindjareb Middars, a Noongar family from Pinjarra. The family visited the school and shared a peppermint-leaf smoking ceremony with the community before facilitating various workshops, including traditional dance and music, cooking (lemon myrtle biscuits), jewellery making and drawing. This formed the groundwork for the banner artwork - some of these student drawings were then selected by Natalie and incorporated into her designs. The school has Natalie’s original canvases and accompanying text about the seasons, which are displayed in each classroom and rotated throughout the school each year.

For the launch event, the sun shone, and the warm atmosphere was enhanced by Sue Kelly, Pibelmun Noongar Elder, who said the Welcome To Country and officially launched the ‘Journey Through The Seasons’ banners. Sue shared rich stories of her knowledge of Northcliffe and Windy Harbour, particularly in relation to the region's animals. She also shared stories of how the Pibelmun people flourished in the area over many thousands of years due to their expert understanding of the different seasons and the landscape.

Following the launch, the school community went on a shared walk around the banners and gathered for afternoon tea: a warm drink and delicious Finger Lime and Coconut biscuits made by the high school students.

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P&C VOICE

This project has been a wonderful collaboration between Northcliffe DHS P&C and Southern Forest Arts. The school pays particular thanks to Fiona Sinclair who co-ordinated the project and advised at every turn. The banners represent a $10,000 investment, and the school is also grateful for the financial assistance from the Northcliffe Community Development Group, The Shire of Manjimup Community Grants program, the PALS scheme (a government initiative seeking to advance Reconciliation) and Pemberton IGA (who heard about the project and jumped on board, wanting to give back to loyal Northcliffe customers). Northcliffe students also contributed via the 2022 Readathon.

Northcliffe District High School had 55 students enrolled at the time of the project, and the ability of the school community to raise over $10,000 is evidence that P&Cs of small schools can have a big impact.

“Projects like this are significant,” says former P&C President, Nic Sinclair. “They tick many boxes upskilling students, educating all of us about the Noongar seasons with particular reference to the fauna around Northcliffe, and beautifying the main street - the banners act as a unique entry statement to the town. Perhaps most importantly, it's been a wonderful opportunity for our school community to collaborate with a range of First Nations people, from toddlers through to elders. This personal connection is vital for Reconciliation. Until now, Northcliffe has lacked an obvious representation of the presence of Aboriginal people and a visual acknowledgement that they have lived here for many thousands of years. The banners rectify this - they are a celebration of the enduring presence of First Nations people in our area”, she added.

Over the years, the P&C committee has been passionate about giving Northcliffe students opportunities to explore cultural awareness and diversity. Rather than be tokenistic or have 'one-off' events each year, they aim to host several events that facilitate meaningful connection and engagement with First Nations people and people from other cultural backgrounds. The P&C acknowledges the banner launch as a very special day. As Sue Kelly reminded attendees at the event as the banners fly high, so too does the community.

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P&C VOICE

The afternoon aimed to deliver several different outcomes for the school community, and it achieved them all beyond expectation!

Easter Raffle success A good news story from Woodlands Primary School P&C, written by Vice-President, Andrew

After the first 8 weeks of the school year disappeared in a flash, it was time for the P&C team to work together, rally the school and throw an Easter picnic and party for everyone to enjoy.

Our Year 1 kids and parents stepped up to the challenge and donated so many Easter treats that we made 11 different hampers to be raffled off. This proved very successful, with the raffles alone raising over $2000!!

The Year 2 cohort stepped up and produced an array of delicious baked goods that had people queueing deep. These treats disappeared at a record pace and also raised important money for the school.

After much anticipation, the day of the picnic event finally arrived. The sun was shining, and the picnic was set up by a lovely group of volunteers. The day proved to be a huge hit for everyone! The kids took part in an all-of-school egg and spoon race, drawing a huge crowd of laughing parents. Soon, it was time for the big event - the Easter egg hunt! Areas were set up for different age groups and the Easter Bunny (who made a special appearance for the younger kids) scattered eggs far and wide before the kids were let loose to put their hunting skills to the test. A tug of war was set up to finish the day, and the parents did their very best, just getting over the line and beating the kids! Not ready to admit defeat, the kids got their revenge on the Dads, proving that without the Mums, the Dads couldn’t put up much of a fight!

The afternoon aimed to deliver several different outcomes for the school community, and it achieved them all beyond expectation! The anticipation from the kids created a positive atmosphere in the days leading up to the picnic, and the event itself raised a lot of money to go toward much-needed items for the school. The positive and happy atmosphere on the day also brought our community closer together, launching our year in a positive and fun mindset that’s already permeating into enthusiasm for events still to come.

Special thanks go to the fundraising community and the Year 1 parents who volunteered Easter treats and their time. We also acknowledge the school parents for turning up, creating a wonderful atmosphere and digging deep to raise lots of money for the school. The biggest thank you of course goes to the Easter Bunny who was a huge hit with our younger kids and made their day extra special.

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P&C VOICE

How to make friends at school By the team at ReachOut Australia We’ve all seen those teen movies where it’s someone’s first day at a new school. They walk into the cafeteria hall and the whole room goes silent. Everyone turns to look at them. They approach the ‘cool’ group and ask to sit with them. The leader tells them to leave and the poor new person ends up eating their turkey sandwich in a toilet stall.

Eek.

Approach someone who’s on their own

To help you avoid this nightmare scenario, we’ve rounded up some tips for making mates at school.

Think about what makes a good friend The first step in making lasting friendships is knowing what to look out for in a friend. A good friend is someone who is there for you no matter what, doesn’t judge you, is kind and respectful, and is a good listener. These qualities are hard to judge when you first meet someone. But, there are some signs to look out for. For example, how do they treat other people? Do they talk about others behind their backs? Do they put people down? If a potential new friend is making you or someone else cringe, they’re probably not going to be a great mate.

It can be pretty intimidating to walk up to a big group of people and strike up a convo. It’s much easier to approach someone who’s on their own at lunch, or in class, and ask if you can sit with them.

Ask questions You’ve probably heard it before, but people generally love to talk about themselves. Ask them about what they like to do in their spare time, their favourite subject, or what TV shows they’re into. Then ask follow-up questions. For example, if they say their favourite Netflix show is Riverdale, ask them what it’s about (or tell them you’re into it, too, if you watch it).

Remember that school isn’t everything If you’re not clicking with people at school, try finding connections elsewhere. Join local clubs or sports teams you’re interested in, or head to the ReachOut Forums to talk with people who get it.

Get involved Getting involved with stuff you’re interested in at school (like a sports team, band, drama club, etc.) is a great way to connect with likeminded people. Whether it’s your team’s huge win on the field or the play you’re rehearsing in drama club, you’re guaranteed to have something to talk about. If you’re not sure what club’s right for you, have a chat with the organisers of the groups to suss out what they’re all about.

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It sounds cheesy, but you gotta be yourself.

There’s not much point in trying to make friends while pretending to be someone you’re not. It’s unlikely that every person will like you, but there’ll be plenty of people who appreciate you for you. And remember, if you don't have many friends right now, it won't be the case forever.

Original article

P&C VOICE

BREAKING THE YELLING CYCLE WITH POSITIVE PARENTING STRATEGIES

Parenting can be tough at times, and it can test even the most patient person. All parents and carers have moments of frustration, and sometimes they might end up raising their voice to get kids to listen. But if yelling or shouting becomes a regular tactic to try to get a message across, it might be time to rethink the approach. The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program has tips to help.

Manage stress When we yell or shout, it can be a sign of stress.

Taking care of yourself is not selfish – it's necessary to be a calm and consistent parent or carer. After all, we can't pour from an empty cup! And remember, seeking support and taking action is a better option than hoping and waiting for things to change.

Take a deep breath and pause When frustration is building up, try to notice when it's happening and take a break before you react. This can make those intense feelings feel less overwhelming. If you need to, step away from the situation for a moment and come back to it when you feel calmer. When we talk to kids, use a clear, calm tone of voice and try to keep your own emotions in check. Kids learn a lot from how we handle stress.

Catch unhelpful thoughts and reactions In stressful situations, negative thoughts and reactions can take over our minds. Coping statements are positive affirmations that remind us we can handle the situation and our emotions. For example, “I’m feeling stressed – that’s normal – but I can cope with this feeling.” They can be used anytime, whether it's getting kids ready for bed or getting out the door on time for school.

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Make small, positive changes Try establishing a few new routines, like packing their bags the night before school. Having clear and consistent rules can help kids understand what is expected of them, and that can lead to better cooperation. Notice the good things kids do and give them specific praise. This can increase the chance they’ll repeat that positive behaviour later.

Getting support If you have a partner, talk to them about how you can manage frustration or stress together as a family. If they are yelling at your kids too, maybe it’s time to change your approach together. If you, your partner or your child's behaviour is concerning you, it’s okay to ask for support. Take action and seek help rather than waiting for things to change.

DID YOU KNOW?

Triple P’s biggest ever parenting survey found over 8 out of 10 parents yell or raise their voice at their children at least once a week.

Positive parenting strategies can make parenting less stressful and more rewarding, one small change at a time.

Triple P Online is a fantastic resource for parents and carers of children up to 12 years old. It provides practical solutions to everyday parenting challenges such as boosting listening, cooperation, social skills, selfregulation and building strong relationships.

FROM CHAOS TO CALM WITH FREE ONLINE SUPPORT Backed by research, proven by parents.

For new or expecting parents, Triple P Online for Baby offers proven tips and strategies to adjust to parenthood with more confidence.

More and more parents and carers in Australia are turning to Triple P for free, evidence-based online parenting support.

Fear-Less Triple P Online is designed for parents and carers of children aged 6+ to develop a better understanding of anxiety, so they can support kids to overcome it in a safe and gradual way.

Over 270,000 parents have already started using Triple P's simple and effective strategies to empower themselves and their families.

Family Transitions Triple P Online is especially for parents who are going through separation or divorce. It provides strategies and tips to help children adjust, manage emotions, coparent effectively and evolve in a new family dynamic.

With Triple P's complete toolkit of tips, they’re learning to improve behaviour, grow closer to their kids, and solve parenting problems with less guesswork. They’re now seeing positive changes that benefit families and entire school communities.

All programs are online now, self-paced and free, making them ideal for busy families.

Refer families at your school to triplep-parenting.net.au

Spread the word in your school community! If you have questions or would like promotional support, get in touch with the Triple P team: contact@triplep.net

Funded by the Australian Government Triple P International acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work. We respectfully acknowledge Elders, past and present who continue to guide us with their wisdom on our journey to support and build strong healthy families.

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P&C VOICE

The auction raised $20,000 for the school, which was an incredible result for the P&C’s first time running an event like this.

Amazing Art Auction Raising funds for Boyup Brook District High School P&C – a good news story

This good news story from Boyup Brook may sound familiar to a few P&C members. A few years ago, the Boyup Brook P&C was having trouble recruiting volunteers for Office Bearer roles. Not wanting the P&C to fold, Holly put her hand up to be President. Over the next few months, she and the other parent volunteers worked steadfastly on a project that raised significant funds to go towards a much-needed nature play area. As is so often the case, volunteers stepped in and not only made sure the P&C continued to operate, but they committed themselves to a large project that yielded fantastic results.

“We knew that the school playground area needed enhancing,” said Holly, when discussing the project launched by the P&C. “We wanted to make a creative and engaging space for our primary students, where they could participate in free play and activate their imagination. We also hoped to create an area that was a real feature of the school,” she added.

“Having visited the art auction at Kojonup District High School and seeing how successful and fun that event was, we decided to try an art auction with our community as well,” explains Holly. “It ended up being really successful – every student donated a piece of art that was framed and sold and every class did a combined artwork that was also auctioned. Plus, some local artists either donated artworks or set a reserve for auction of their pieces. We made sure that there was a delicious grazing board and bar for patrons and the whole atmosphere was upbeat and positive.

It was such a great event,” she added.

The auction raised $20,000 for the school, which was an incredible result for the P&C’s first time running an event like this. While the playground hasn’t yet been purchased and installed, the money is there ready to be used once the project is ready to get started.

After working with the Department of Education to find an endorsed provider of nature play areas, Holly secured a quote and concept for the space. With this critical information in hand, the P&C started thinking about a fundraiser that would engage parents and the community, while also bringing in much-needed donations for the project.

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P&C VOICE

Empowering Education: Our Profit with Purpose Series

These stories exemplify the positive change brought about by this particular series of our Profit with Purpose initiative.

Story supplied by R1i Technology

At R1i Technology, our mission extends beyond delivering outstanding technical products and services – we are committed to making a significant impact in our community. Through our Profit with Purpose initiative, we dedicate 20% of our annual profits to various charitable efforts across Western Australia.

These stories exemplify the positive change brought about by this particular series of our Profit with Purpose initiative. By aligning our business achievements with community support, we are contributing to a brighter future for the Western Australian community.

In Term 2 this year, one of our focused series involved supporting Western Australian public schools. For each Wireless Access Point purchased by these schools, we pledged $200 per WAP purchased to their respective P&C Associations, contributing to a collective donation goal of $500,000. These funds are specifically allocated to enhance student life and learning environments, addressing the broader education needs of our community.

R1i Technology is more than a technology provider; we are your partner in community development and success. Let’s continue to make a difference, together, one impactful series at a time.

If your school hasn’t taken advantage of this offer yet, there’s still time! Contact our Education Team at education@r1i.com.au or (08) 6278 5980.

The outcomes from this initiative have been heartwarming and impactful: Maddington Primary School has used the funds to manage increased transportation costs for swimming lessons, making them accessible to all students despite financial constraints Richmond Primary School is directing their contribution toward a significant library refurbishment, creating a stimulating and resourceful environment for learning.

Karratha Primary School is investing in new iPads, leveraging technology to enrich their educational offerings.

Grovelands Primary School will utilise the funds to install a protective shade structure, ensuring their kindergarteners can enjoy outdoor play safely throughout the year.

The feedback goes on…

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P&C VOICE

Celebrating Principal’s Day 2023

Miss Bree Van Beek sought P&C support for a special event to acknowledge all that Mr Davis had done for the staff, students and parents.

How Oakwood Primary P&C assisted their School and Community with a very special event.

Oakwood Primary School is relatively new, celebrating its fifth birthday last year. Since its inception, the school has had the same Principal (Mr Will Davis), and he is a very treasured member of staff and the community.

In celebration of Principal’s Day last year, Oakwood’s P&C President, Robyn Warnes was approached by Deputy Principal, Miss Bree Van Beek. She was seeking P&C support for a special event to acknowledge all that Mr Davis had done for the staff, students and parents.

The plan commenced with the decision to install a giant ‘Thank you’ banner, for display at the school on Principal’s Day. The display was to be located in the grassed area between the Office and Library, with plenty of room for all the students to gather for the celebration. Oakwood parent, Michelle Barker, was approached by Miss Van Beek to make calico ties, one for each classroom, 35 in total! The secret additional idea from the Leadership Team, was for every classroom to decorate and write a short message, or one word to sum up Mr Davis.

On Principal’s Day, Mr Davis’s schedule saw him off-site, and not arriving at the school until late morning. This gave the Leadership Team and teaching staff time to organise and prepare the children to be around the signs to greet Mr Davis when he arrived at the school and walked through to the area. Boy was there so much joy and excitement in the air when this finally took place! Mr Davis was blown away!

Later that day, at the assembly, Mr Davis was invited to sit in a giant throne and receive his 35 ties. There might have been a tear or two shed!

For the next few weeks, Mr Davis wore a different tie on each day, visiting the room responsible for the messages and personally thanking the students for their tie.

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P&C VOICE

This was the first time the kids at the school had been involved in an event like this, and the surprise element of the celebrations was very much enjoyed by everyone who attended – especially the guest of honour, Mr Davis.

While P&Cs are often considered to have fundraising activities as their primary role, according to the Objects in the WA Education Act there are two other purposes attributed to a P&C: generating cooperation between parents, teachers, students, and members of the community; and fostering community interest in education matters. Both objects point to the important community engagement role that rests with the P&C and it is clear, by supporting such a heartwarming and successful Principal’s Day celebration, this P&C is very skilled in responding to this task!

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P&C VOICE

School disco magic

As a P&C, we wanted to run an event that brought the school together and have a positive impact

A good news story from Capel Primary School P&C

Capel Primary School has in previous years run school discos, but they have not been run by the P&C for several years and instead been the responsibility of the school teaching and administrative team. Capel Primary P&C decided to ease this burden and take on the organisation and running of these events in 2023, with huge success.

“One of the major tasks on the night was the duty of care for our students,” says Bec. “We needed tight procedures for monitoring attendance and students entering and exiting the designated disco location. Having parents on the door and available to escort children to and from the toilet block was essential. I’m pleased to say that we had heaps of parents put their hands up to volunteer, and the event ran really smoothly,” she added.

“As a P&C, we wanted to run an event that brought the school together and have a positive impact,” says P&C President Bec Aldridge. “The school staff ran the event well in previous years, but it is a lot of extra work. We were happy to take over the reins to free up staff and provide us with the opportunity to engage parents,” she added.

Part of the event's success was down to using a designated area that could be sealed off, limiting the amount of roaming around the school kids could do. The setup and decorations were also a big hit, with loads of neon used and the area darkened for maximum effect. The feedback from the kids, parents and school was overwhelmingly positive, and the P&C plans to make this a biennial event.

The key to the success of this event was creating a small sub-committee led by the VicePresident along with the help of 3 other dedicated parents. This group worked really well together and was able to action all the necessary to-do items ahead of the event.

Keeping the sub-committee small meant that logistics like meetings and allocating jobs were easier to manage.

The disco itself was divided into two timeslots, one reserved for Kindy – Year 2 students and a Senior timeslot for Years 3-6. An army of parent volunteers was needed, as around 70% of the school’s 320 students attended with 250 tickets sold.

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P&C VOICE

While the event was ticketed, it didn’t have a fundraising goal for the P&C. Instead, the disco was planned as a community engagement opportunity – a chance to bring everyone together for a heap of fun. Sausages were donated by the local butcher for the sausage sizzle, keeping costs down, and several other businesses made donations to support the P&C. The theme we went for was Neon and the P&C hired special lights and bought decorations to make clothing glow in the dark that helped create atmosphere.

The advice from Capel P&C for all those looking to take the reins of a school disco is to make sure you set up a small, dedicated subcommittee, have a plan for keeping track of the kids (especially those in the older years who can get a bit over-confident), choose your venue wisely and make sure you have more than enough volunteers. When well-planned and run, school discos provide an outstanding community engagement opportunity, plus they are a heap of fun for the kids!

“The kids had an absolute ball,” said Bec. “They all want us to do it yearly, but we will likely hold this event biennially, with other events being looked at for this year. I was so pleased with the level of engagement with parents – we had lots of volunteers, which was great. The event would not have been possible without them. I also acknowledge the dedicated work of the subcommittee headed by our VP, Rebecca Page and our 3 other dedicated parents Jackie, Sharnee & Christina. They really put in the effort early to make sure the event was a success on the night,” she added.

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P&C VOICE

WACSSO HELP DESK With most Office Bearers now settled into their roles and the excitement of P&C Day WA simmering down, it is time for your WACSSO team to focus on WA’s #1 event for P&Cs and parents...

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WACSSO CONFERENCE!

An important part of the Conference program is the WACSSO AGM and Agenda Session. This part of the weekend provides affiliates the opportunity to influence the direction of our organisation and serves as the platform for future activities and initiatives. Affiliate Agenda Items have shaped WACSSO strategy for over 100 years and the Agenda Session is and exciting part of Conference.

We are very excited about the line up we’re working on this year, and can’t wait to invite all our wonderful P&C delegates back for another fantastic event!

Here are some common questions we get leading up to Conference. If you want to know more about this event, get in touch!

01

Who attends Conference?

02

What does it cost for my P&C to attend Conference?

P&Cs seeking to submit an Agenda Item should first reach out to their State Councillor for advice. Agenda items provide the opportunity to raise the important topics and issues facing your school communities at the State level.

We have a helpful video on our website to demonstrate the process of submitting an Agenda Item.

Your members decide who will represent your P&C at Conference. If you haven’t already registered a delegate, you need to add ‘WACSSO Conference’ to your next P&C agenda and vote on a delegate (or two, or three!)

05

WACSSO Conference is run on a weekend (to allow maximum participation) so there is a time-cost involved with attending.

I am really worried I won’t know anyone at Conference. How will I meet other people?

This is a common question and don’t worry! Our affiliates are all super friendly and the atmosphere at Conference is warm, welcoming and collegial with everyone keen to get to know and learn from one another. If it is your first time at Conference, we encourage you to reach out to your State Councillor so he/she can keep an eye out for you on the first day.

In terms of financial cost, the attendance fee for P&C’s first delegate is included in your Annual Affiliation invoice. The costs for additional delegates vary, so check our website for more information.

03

What does it mean to submit an Agenda Item?

What can I expect from the program this year?

More Conference info

Our program will again feature the highly anticipated panel session with the Education Minister and the Director General, Education. We encourage your P&C to submit a question! The ever-popular student panel is also back, as are opportunities to showcase student performers and artwork.

There will be workshop sessions on each day, where you can choose the stream relevant to your interests, and we will have keynote speakers on both days. Plus, the exhibitor hall will be bursting with useful organisations keen to meet you. A jam-packed program once again!

WACSSO Conference 2024 will run August 24-25 at Crown Perth

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P&C VOICE

Q&A 01

IS IT SUFFICIENT TO CALL A GENERAL MEETING, OR MUST WE ACTUALLY HOLD ONE EACH TERM?

Every day, the WACSSO office receives enquiries from P&C members about the running of their P&C Association. The following are just some of the questions asked with answers that may be helpful to your Association.

01

02

03

According to the legal requirements in the P&C Constitution (Section 23.2.1), P&Cs must HOLD at least one general meeting each school term. If you do not achieve quorum the first time you schedule a general meeting, your P&C will need to schedule another general meeting (and hold it) to adbide by the Constitution.

WHO HAS THE POWER IN THE P&C?

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WHAT IS A SOLVENCY STATEMENT?

BOOK YOUR P&C TRAINING NOW! 2024 training sessions now available.

To better provide the training program to our affiliates when it suits them, we are focusing on our online training program.

Members! P&C members hold the power in the P&C. The votes of members make the decisions for the P&C and no one member’s vote carries more weight than another member. WACSSO encourages the meeting Chairperson to ensure all those attending have an opportunity to speak and contribute to the debate.

While face-to-face training will still be available, the approach will be to offer a published calendar of hub locations that any P&C member can attend.

Keep an eye on the website for details!

A Solvency Statement says that, in the Executive Committee’s opinion, the Association is solvent and there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Association will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable.

The Solvency Statement is presented to members with the Annual Financial Statements and a template is available on our website.

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P&C VOICE

NOTICE BOARD

WACSSO Conference 2024

Innovate, Collaborate, Advocate.

WACSSO Conference is the premium annual networking, training and development event for P&C affiliates in WA. It recognises the invaluable contribution P&C Associations and school communities make to the educational outcomes of students in Western Australian schools.

Importantly, WACSSO Conference gives members of P&C Associations the opportunity to have a say on the future educational direction of their children. The Education Minister and Director General panel plus the Agenda Item session during our AGM are both important advocacy opportunities for delegates.

WACSSO Conference is made possible through the generous support of our partners, and all delegates have the opportunity to meet representatives in our highly anticipated 'partner hall' each year.

All P&Cs are encouraged to send delegates to WACSSO Conference.

The theme for WACSSO Conference 2024 is 'Innovate, Collaborate, Advocate.'

With an eye to the future, this Conference will encourage blue-sky thinking with delegates invited to consider immediate trends that need addressing in the shortterm, through to longer-term, predicted trends that will impact P&Cs and education.

Workshop and speaker topics are planned to include: AI and education, future trends - what’s next in fundraising/events/canteens, futureproofing your P&C through sustainable (financial and organisational) practices, advocacy topics that future-proof the education system, and effective strategic planning/goal setting.

Registrations for WACSSO Conference 2024 are now open. This event will run on August 24-25 at Crown Perth.

P&Cs who wish to attend WACSSO Conference 2024 will need to include registration on their next meeting agenda and vote on delegates. When you are ready to register your P&Cs delegates, click below.

Register now

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P&C VOICE

The Western Australian Council of State School Organisations Inc. (WACSSO) State Council is made up of a 20 elected Councillors and a President, all of whom are volunteers.

WACSSO

The State Council meets several times a year to discuss educational issues of interest to Parents and Citizens' Associations (P&Cs), determine the direction of WACSSO and to influence the broad direction of education for the benefit of students.

STATE COUNCILLORS

PRESIDENT Pania Turner 0477 644 000

SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT CANNING - EAST Scott Mosey GREAT SOUTHERN Julie Brooks 0429 016 253

0401 637 716

CANNING - WEST Chelsea Walker 9246 4000

GOLDFIELDSESPERANCE Katherine Loader 0408 949 847

JOONDALUP - EAST Rob Fairholme 0435 779 801

JOONDALUP - WEST

MIDWEST

PEEL NORTH

PEEL SOUTH

Tony Osborne 0419 925 701

Paula Steenson 0409 076 476

Michael Montgomery 0422 923 768

Vivienne Cantem 0447 297 156

SWAN WEST

WHEATBELT-NORTH

FREMANTLE

NORTH WEST

Kim Allison 0490 035 156

VICE-PRESIDENT WHEATBELT-SOUTH

CANNING NORTH

Indah Yildiz 0412 595 576

Vacant

Vacant

Vacant

Kate Hayes-Thompson 0458 830 000

VICE-PRESIDENT PERTH SOUTH Anne Fairbanks 0411 256 079

SOUTH-WEST Esmond Delaney 0409 370 016

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE PERTH NORTH

SWAN EAST

Vacant

Vacant

WARRENBLACKWOOD Vacant

OUR FORTNIGHTLY ENEWS

P&C Voice is the official publication of the Western Australian Council of State School Organisations Inc. (WACSSO) President: Pania Turner PO Box 6295 East Perth 5892 | 151 Royal Street East Perth 6004 p (08) 9264 4000 f (08) 9264 4948 e info@wacsso.wa.edu.au wacsso.wa.edu.au Contibutions from individuals and affiliates are welcome