What did Council get up to this year? Read all about it in our Annual Report to members!

Don't forget to come along to our AGM on Tuesday November 24 from 7pm so that you can be an integral part of next year's excitement (representative positions and committee roles up for grabs). The meeting will be held, as usual, at the Centre for Teaching and Learning, 51 Fremantle Drive, Stirling.

Good news! Changes to ACT laws mean that a raffle permit is no longer required if the total prize pool is $2500 or less. If the value of your prizes totals more than $2500, a permit is still needed. All the details on our Information Sheet.

You may have seen announced in the media a review of the Education Directorate's Dress Standards and Uniforms policy. The draft updated policy is now available for feedback. You can provide your own feedback, or send it to us at Council to be included in our representative response.

You may also have heard discussions about disability awareness training for special needs bus drivers in the media. Council, acting on parent concerns, helped establish this training for drivers several years ago. We have been pushing the Education Directorate to make the training a mandatory requirement for all staff driving kids to our schools on these special services. We are pleased to hear that this will now be the case from 2016 and additional training sessions are already booked by both companies which run these services.

Applications are now open for 2016 special needs transport requests - information for families here.

The ACT Government provides $750 to help with education expenses for low-income families through the Secondary Bursary Scheme (for students in years 7-10). Applications should be lodged by 30 November 2015 to receive the payment in early 2016. Call 2605 8262 or follow the link above for more information.

Schools Plus is a new national charity helping disadvantaged schools to connect with donors and supporters. They provide schools a tax deductibility facility for donations. Their map shows eligible schools and website explains how it works. Council is looking to set up a meeting between Schools Plus and eligible ACT schools. Contact us to be part of this.

Nutrition Australia's free workshop, specially designed for ACT canteens, will help inspire you in creating healthy menus which comply with school Food and Drink Policies. Learn how to assess products and recipes against the traffic light criteria, network with other canteen managers, sample food and collect recipes. It is on Tuesday 17 November, from 3:30 - 5:30pm. RSVP by Friday 13th.

On Sunday 29 November at midday, you are invited to join thousands of people across the region as they gather on the lawns of Parliament House. The Canberra People’s Climate March is part of an international community weekend of action on the eve of historic UN climate negotiations in Paris.

Council Annual General Meeting, November 24, 6:45 for 7pm start. Ends 9:30pm. 51 Fremantle Drive, Stirling.