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Thanks to YOU
Just a quick, but very sincere, Thank You to... You!
P&C volunteers give so much and make such an impact in improving our schools, and we are very grateful. We've taken a moment to say thanks during National Volunteer Week on our Facebook Page and you are welcome to share.
Volunteering Australia also have resources to help you celebrate and thank volunteers at your school.
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National parent survey - please share!
How did 2020 affect your family and your kids' learning?
Australia Acsso would love to know more about how how families are finding the return to school and how last year’s home learning worked for them. They are looking at family and child wellbeing; access to adequate equipment and appropriate learning formats; and questions of engagement and support for students with additional needs.
Please take the short survey, and pass on to your parent community so they can have their say!
Thank you so much for supporting this – the Australian Department of Education, Skills and Employment are looking forward to the seeing results and using them as evidence for future planning.
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Giveaway!
 We have acquired two large bags of small toys, books and kids stationery (mostly McDonald's Happy Meal toys), most individually wrapped, which would be perfect for consolation prizes or lucky-dips. We would like to give them to one of our member organsiations (that's your P&C) who could use them. There are around 70-80 items!
To enter the giveaway draw, simply:
- Make sure you have submitted your Office Bearer's Form to us for 2021 (so we can update our records and contact your committee member to assist)
- Email to tell us you want to be in the draw by 10 am Monday May 31.
We'll contact the winner on May 31.
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P&C training
There are still spots available at our online training sessions (via zoom) - created specifically for ACT Parent Associations. They are FREE to our members. Click through below for details. Register here.
Employing staff and running Canteens - for P&Cs with canteens or staff. TONIGHT
P&C Constitution workshop - understand and update your constitution. June 15
Grant writing workshop - help you win grants for P&C projects and manage grant money. July 20.
If you missed our other training, do not despair! Almost everything covered is provided in our Information Sheets and the associated resources. We also have plans to make highlights of our training sessions available as short videos.
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National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week - from Wednesday 27 May to Thursday 3 June – is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievement, and reflect on how we collectively move towards reconciliation in Australia. This year’s theme is More than a word. Reconciliation takes action. The Reconciliation Australia website has a range resources from social media tiles to colouring-in pages to help you promote this important week.
If you are looking for Reconciliation Week events or activities, Events ACT has a list of what’s on in Canberra, including a suggested reading and watching list.
We’d love to see how your school community celebrates Reconciliation Week – tag Council into any social media posts or email us with your actions!
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Gifted and talented education
ACT Gifted Families Support Group is running an online information session for parents during Gifted Awareness Week about the ACT Education Directorate's new Gifted and Talented Policy. Directorate staff will outline the new policy and cover everything from Early Entry to Mentorships, identification and more. IT's on Thursday May 27 (week 6) from 7:30 to 8:30pm via zoom. It's a free event, but a ticket is required - get one, and find out more, here.
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Our activities
There's always a lot going on at our small but busy office. Here are some recent happenings:
- We've created a comprehensive submission into the ACT Inquiry into the management of school Infrastructure. Our submission drew on specific input from members sought this year and discussions at our meetings over the last few years. We have made 23 recommendations (!) which we believe are achievable and would greatly improve our school system. Unfortunately, the submission remains confidential until published on the Inquiry website, but we will share as soon as we can. Putting this together was a lot of work and we salute our Policy Officer, Veronica Elliott.
- We are now drafting our submission for the ACT Budget process.
- We have been shown documents and policies for the Education Directorate's updated Visitors and Volunteers process and are providing feedback on how P&C volunteers need a clear and easy process when offering their time.
- We are continuing discussions with the Education Directorate on the impact of changes to Boards and the need for strong links with the P&C and for clarity about the responsibilities of P&C reps.
- Our Executive Committee has begun work on a new Strategic Plan for Council, pointing the direction for the future. We'll be consulting with all members once we have a bit more of a draft.
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General Meeting
Join us for our May General Meeting! The meeting will include a presentation on EDU's revised complaints handling procedures by Kristen Laurent. This is work that was called for by Council in response to the Violence in schools project run in 2019.
It's on Tuesday May 25 (week 6), 7-9pm, via Zoom. Simply email us your wish to attend to receive the Zoom link.
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Upcoming events
- General Meeting including presentation on complaints handling (see above), Tuesday 25 May, 7-9pm, via Zoom. All welcome
- Member Workshop: Employing staff & running Canteens, TONIGHT, 18 May, 7-8:30pm
- Executive Meeting, Tuesday 8 May, 7pm start
- Member Workshop: P&C Constitutions, Tuesday 15 June (Week 9), 7-9pm.
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You might be interested...
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Research project - parent involvement in writing
Mastering writing is a key competence for children’s success at school and beyond. A team of researchers from Murdoch University are interested in learning more about what writing activities you and your child do at home and how confident you feel in helping your child become a good writer. You can help by completing their online survey (takes about 20 minutes) on parental involvement in primary education.
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