P&C Voice, Term 3 2023

WHAT’S INSIDE

CONFERENCE

SPONSOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The WACSSO Office is abuzz with Conference preparation Our team of Councillors and staff cannot wait to see all the delegates assemble at Crown this coming weekend, to engage in two days of networking, development, sharing stories and knowledge and being inspired by our program Plus there will be plenty of opportunities to have some fun!

WACSSO Conference allows delegates from P&Cs across WA to hear from Government and education leaders and experts and to participate in discussion and debate on key education issues Our theme for 2023 ‘Yours, Mine, Ours’ captures our collective responsibility for our children's safety and education The Conference theme also acknowledges that the focus on mental health and looking after each other remains pertinent post-pandemic

“We know parents connect with the idea that ‘it takes a village’ to raise a child, and the diverse nature of roles and responsibilities attributed to P&Cs fits with the theme of collective responsibility,” says WACSSO President Pania Turner “Workshops and speakers at Conference 2023 will aim to cover topics such as mental health, encouraging community participation, teamwork, the multi-focal purpose of P&Cs, effective advocacy, supporting diversity in the community, helping young people plan their futures, attracting diverse committee members and engaging the school community.”

Check out our Conference webpages for more information.

Many of you will have recently seen, or participated in, the ‘100 Days of School 'celebrations, typically run in Kindy, Pre-Primary and Year 1 classrooms. This event marks the halfway point of the (roughly 200 days) school year.

There is much to celebrate for the young students, their teachers, and their parents! Many have learnt to confidently start the school day, feeling better about being away from home than in week one Students have begun to learn to read and write simple letters and sounds, and some are getting the hang of packing their bags and independently getting themselves ready for a day of active learning WACSSO is protective of these special learning milestones. Milestones are celebrations that acknowledge to students, their families, and school communities that the growth and achievements during the school year are to be valued and recognised

While we don't mark the mid-year milestone in the same way in the WACSSO office, the halfway point of the year does provide an opportunity for reflection

This year, on behalf of WA public school parents, we have participated in a number of government submissions, including the:

Inquiry into support for autistic children and young people in schools

Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System

Senate Committee Inquiry: Assessment and support services for people with ADHD

SSTUWA Review of Public Education in WA

Senate Committee Inquiry: The Issue of Increasing Disruption in Australian Schools

Therapeutic Goods Administration – Potential Reforms to the Regulation of Nicotine Vaping Products

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!

MESSAGE

From the Minister for Education

Since becoming the Minister for Education earlier this year, I have had the pleasure of meeting many P&C presidents and members during my visits to schools

For me, it’s very clear on the big difference that you all make in supporting and building the culture in our school communities.

As I wrote in my message at the beginning of the year, the support that parents and carers provide to schools is crucial. Schools are the glue that bind our local community – places where futures are forged, and students find their passion and pathway in life

Our teachers and school staff are there to foster a thirst for knowledge, and to support and care for our students through their most formative years

To do this, we need to ensure our schools are safe places for learning

At the commencement of Term 3, I announced an updated 10-point plan to strengthen the support for schools to protect all students and school staff from violent behaviour

As part of this, new Connect and Respect resources were developed to reinforce and clearly outline the expectations for schools and parents and carers Collaboration, respect and positive role modelling is key to ensuring that our students and staff are protected against violence – schools cannot solve this on their own The full support of parents, carers and the wider school community is needed to address the issue of violence

The enhanced plan empowers principals to use existing law and policy measures against those that behave in a threatening or intimidating manner or in a physically violent way towards staff or students

We’re building on the existing measures too Previously, students who chose to film fight content were suspended, and now we will also suspend students who choose to share fight content on social media

Minister's Message

The Hon Dr Tony Buti MLA

I would like to acknowledge the support of WACSSO in working together to build respectful and safe school communities We all have a responsibility to say no to violence and ensure our school communities create safe, supportive, and culturally responsive learning environments

Our schools are amazing places that change lives. By working together to keep our schools safe for learning, school staff can focus on what they are there to do – teach our students and ensure they are provided every opportunity possible to reach their potential

A healthy body leads to a healthy mind For students to excel it’s imperative they embrace a healthy lifestyle, which enhances their learning and wellbeing That is why I launched the Minister’s Running Challenge The Term 3 event is open to all primary and secondary students and encourages them to undertake regular physical activity. Participants have the opportunity to win weekly prizes and up to 1000 students who successfully complete the Challenge will receive free entry into the 2023 Perth Running Festival on 8 October 2023. I encourage all students to get those running shoes on and sign up!

I was also happy to announce the launch of the Minister’s Innovation Challenge As part of the Career Learning Toolkit, the Challenge allows Year 8 students to hone their leadership, design and critical thinking skills and be supported by local industry mentors. I am looking forward to seeing all of the innovative solutions that students come up with as part of their pitches

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

MEET THE WACSSO TRAINING TEAM

We are pleased to introduce our new training team!

All P&Cs should keep an eye on WACSSO eNews and our Facebook page for updates on training available across WA.

Earlier this year, the WACSSO team said a fond farewell to Training Officer, Richard Brand. Richard was a familiar face around the P&Cs, having delivered advice and training sessions across WA for nine years We thank and acknowledge him for his service

The training and development function of WACSSO has been expertly adopted by two longstanding WACSSO team members, Debbie Booth and Marianne Thoroughgood They will deliver training to regional and metropolitan areas, respectively, while also continuing with their usual roles within the WACSSO team

If you’ve called or emailed the WACSSO Office, it is likely you’ve spoken to Marianne. A staff member with 4 years of experience, Marianne has been responding to the questions and challenges of P&C members for some time Prior to her role as a staff member, Marianne was a State Councillor, so she has a wealth of experience to draw from Marianne has already run a number of in-person and webinar training sessions in metropolitan Perth and is looking forward to engaging with P&Cs through the training role “I get a real buzz from running the sessions, and every time I visit a P&C I’m reminded of the good work done in schools by parents Training is such an important aspect of what we offer P&Cs, and I really enjoy seeing the P&C team learn and grow together through the sessions,” says Marianne.

Debbie Booth is also a much-admired WACSSO staff member and knows almost all there is to know about the complex financial management skills needed to run a small business

Having commenced at WACSSO in 2004, previously in a training role and more recently in the Finance Officer role, plus having volunteered on a P&C personally, there isn’t much Debbie doesn’t know about the questions P&Cs have and their training needs. “I have huge admiration for the role parents play in their school communities and I see this every day in my region of the Great Southern I love developing the skills of P&C volunteers, old and new, and equipping them with the knowledge they need to effectively make a difference in their schools,” says Debbie.

The training team has already run a number of sessions, and they are refining the WACSSO offerings as they navigate the model of delivering this service as a team

P&Cs who wish to find out more about training are encouraged to email training@wacsso.wa.edu.au.

Marianne Thoroughgood Debbie Booth

A Community School with a big heart

Coolbellup Community School and Coolbellup Learning Centre’s P&C held its very popular Mothers’ Day stall in Term Two, which featured incredible gifts covering everything a mum could want.

From gardening to glam; from coffee to cake all sorts of treasures were on sale. “Some of our gifts are donated, but many of them we purchase on sale and then make modifications or combine with other items, like coffee cups with homemade cookies, to make them beautiful for our mums,” says P&C President, Lisa Appleby “The kids love coming to the stall each year and spend lots of time making just the right choice!” she added.

Organising class visits to the stall is down to a fine art at Coolbellup Teachers bring each year level in turn, with children lining up outside the uniform shop-turned stall, eagerly clutching their pocket money and shopping bags. Small groups of students take turns shopping in the stall to allow space for them to browse, and the P&C volunteers constantly replenish stock between visits so no one misses out

This year, the stall raised $1000 for the P&C, which will be invested in various projects around the schools. “Our P&C has recently funded a set of shiny new tricycles for the Kindy and Pre-Primary students, a new smart board for the music room and new playground equipment for the oval Because the needs of our community are so broad, with students at both the school and the Learning Centre, we want to make sure we’re funding equipment and items that everyone can enjoy,” said Lisa Coolbellup Community School and Coolbellup Learning Centre are co-located, and the P&C represents the parents of both schools

Celebrating P&C Day at Port Kennedy Primary School

Port Kennedy Primary School P&C chose to celebrate P&C Day WA in style this year, after being successfully awarded a grant from Volunteering WA and Lotterywest. Receiving these funds allowed the school to celebrate their P&C volunteers and sponsors who give generously, time and time again

The National Volunteer Week Grant was used to host an afternoon tea and to buy merchandising products. The event helped promote the P&C, and hosting it prior to school pick-up allowed the P&C to draw the attention of parents and caregivers who were collecting their students from school This allowed the event to have two aims; thanking existing P&C members and encouraging new ones to join. The Port Kennedy Primary P&C committee consists of many new faces, and the event also allowed them to connect and socialise outside the usual formal meeting setting

In true P&C fashion set-up for the meeting didn’t quite go to plan which saw all hands on deck. Thankfully the special guests, including our local MPs, didn’t mind rolling up their sleeves and it was all hands on deck to set up; the community at its finest!

The committed and hard-working committee members received a small thank you gift of a pen and notebook which was very welcomed. The grant also allowed the P&C to purchase a banner that will be used at future events to help the community identify P&C-run events

The day concluded with handing out customised P&C stickers to the students It was great fun for everyone to be involved, and the students were very grateful to eat the rest of the sweet treats from the local bakery!

A special good news story from Port Kennedy Primary P&C in celebration of P&C Day WA 2023

Q&A

I CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE MEETING. CAN SOMEONE VOTE ON MY BEHALF?

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 01 02 03

No, this is called proxy voting and is not permitted in P&Cs If you can’t make it to the meeting consider joining by a form of realtime communication (phone, Skype etc). (Rule 27.4)

No The Principal is an ex-officio member of the P&C, refer to P&C Constitution Rule 6.4.

No, all decisions or actions must be endorsed by the Executive or General Committee. Individuals cannot act independently (Rule 261)

If there is a question you would like answered that does not appear here, please contact the WACSSO office or your WACSSO State Councillor

02 03

DOES THE PRINCIPAL PAY THE P&C MEMBER FEE?

CAN A P&C MEMBER MAKE A DECISION WITHOUT P&C APPROVAL?

CHOOSE YOUR WORKSHOP NOW!

All workshops are listed in the Conference app.

Conference delegates are encouraged to login to the WACSSO Conference App 2023 to select their workshops ahead of the Conference weekend. if you haven't received your app login details, get in touch with the WACSSO team today

Breakfast club at Makybe Rise Primary School

Breakfast Club at Ma School is a great way to start the day for many of our students. There are between 80-150 students who pop in for a quick breakfast before school starts, and we receive many generous donations from local food charities that help to cover the cost of running the event There are trays of toast and cheesies, warm baked beans and tin spaghetti, fresh fruit and milo. Needless to say, the cheesies go like… well…cheesies!

Makybe Rise P&C Committee works together with the school chaplain and staff to bring breakfast to the students two mornings a week Alongside the chaplain and exec members we also have several parents volunteering on a rotation. With many hands making light work we have also been able to work with parents we haven’t had involved before offering a no strings attached opportunity to help out Additionally, this has actually led to increased numbers at our meeting and overall more interest in what we do!

e’ve seen a boost in our attendance as Breakfast Club coincides with Runners Club. Hungry little bellies come dashing over from the oval, all warmed up and ready to claim their share of a warm breakfast We had teachers state their students are more focused and ready for school on Breakfast Club days!

The conversation and good cheer of the Student Warriors are part of what makes up the great environment that the kids love to be a part of They interact effectively with students as they serve and always ensure the process is prompt and fair They take their service to the next level as they make sure that enough toast and cheesies are left in the warming oven for the runners who join us towards the end of the Breakfast Club timeframe

Breakfast is definitely the most important meal of the day and certainly one of the most important and rewarding programs to support at our school.

NOTICE BOARD

Following the 2021-2022 budget, additional requirements were established for NFPs regarding self-assessment for tax purposes. The changes, which are now law, were designed to make the process more transparent and accountable.

These changes will ONLY affect your P&C if you are NOT a registered charity with the ACNC If that’s you, we encourage you to read this article in full and contact the ATO should you have questions. If your P&C is a registered charity with the ACNC, you will continue to be required to submit your annual information statement to the ACNC

The following information has been adapted from content available online here

From 1 July 2023, P&Cs with an active Australian business number (ABN) will be required to lodge an annual self-review return to access an income tax exemption

The self-review for the 2023-24 year needs to be lodged between July and October 2024, using:

Online services for business, or Online services for agents

Updates to reporting requirements for NFP entities

Currently, this time frame is for all NFPs (even those with different financial years to the standard July-June) however, this might change in the future after the form is launched next July.

When lodging the self-review, questions will guide you to consider purpose and activities against specific eligibility requirements of an income-tax-exempt entity These will not be financial in nature, and only one question will relate to estimating the income range to indicate the size of the not-for-profit

After submitting the first annual selfreview return, P&Cs will be able to confirm or update information on a pre-populated self-review return annually.

If a self-review return is not lodged yearly, P&Cs may become ineligible for an income tax exemption Penalties may apply under the ATO’s penalty framework

To prepare for this new process, there are some things you can do now:

If you have any questions about your P&C or its tax status, phone the ATO on 1300 130 248 between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday This webpage also has lots of useful information

If you want to register your P&C with the ACNC as a charitable organisation, please contact WACSSO for more information

THANK YOU!

WACSSO Annual Conference would not be possible without the support of our partners.

We thank all those organisations who have chosen to support WACSSO and our affiliates by sponsoring, supporting or partnering with us to deliver our 2023 Conference. We encourage all delegates to visit the Exhibition Hall at Confernece to find out more about thse fantastic organisations WACSSO

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Partner

Silver Sponsors

Sunriser Sponsor

Sundowner Sponsor

WACSSO

STATE COUNCILLORS

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

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.