One Hundred DAYS OF SCHOOL FROM THE PRESIDENT’S PEN

update from Pania Turner

WACSSO was also a joint signatory on the Cancer Council Joint Statement to the WA Government: Action Needed to Address Vaping

These advocacy opportunities are essential to the fundamental mission of our organisation: that WA public schools should provide a world-class education to all students We use these submissions as an opportunity not only to amplify the parent voice to members of parliament and key decision-makers but also the media and other stakeholders who can hold policy-makers to account We are pleased that the vaping products reform submission process, which drew feedback from a broad and varied number of people and organisations, has already yielded results with the Federal Government committing to action to better close the current gap between policy and enforcement WACSSO advocacy efforts are an essential part of our narrative as an organisation, and we thank those parents who assist the process by providing us with their perspectives Telling the real stories of parents to encourage positive action in the education sector is one of the most rewarding aspects of WACSSO's work

By now, you will have reviewed our incredible Conference program and be starting to plan your weekend for August 19-20 I commend my fellow State Councillors and the WACSSO staff team for compiling yet another outstanding lineup of speakers and workshops We listened to the feedback from last year, and you will notice that the first day has been shortened, and we ' ve included more opportunities for delegates to network with each other and their State Councillor As the WACSSO team ticks off the remaining days until we open our 89th Conference, the energy, enthusiasm and excitement level is palpable. We are all very much looking forward to engaging with our affiliates and setting the WACSSO agenda for the next 12 months together

One of the other attributes of the mid-year mark is that tiredness and a sense of the overwhelming nature of volunteering on your P&C starts to creep in; much has been achieved, but there is still much on the horizon As I prepare the Annual Report to be presented to Conference, I reflect on the commitment and hard work volunteering lays upon the shoulders of our P&Cs. With many years of experience in volunteer and professional community work, I can say with absolute certainty, however, is that WHAT YOU DO MATTERS Each and every day, you can make a positive impact in your school community Your school needs you! Your kids, all students, teachers, and the other parents need you WACSSO needs you! We need each other to be the best of we can be Keep up the effort, and when you reach Term Four's final stages, please take a moment to bask in the warm feeling of making a tangible impact on your school

See you all soon!