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Grants
Don't forget about our Grant Writing workshop this Thursday night (August 13) - it's not too late to register to Zoom in. We will focus on project ideas and application tips for the Supporting Parental Engagement Grants which provide up to $20,000 for projects, training or systems to strengthen P&Cs or enhance engagement of parents with your school.
Also, a couple of very broad grants available at the moment for organisations 'making a difference to their local community', but with quick online applications:
And just in case this fits a project idea you have, the ACT Health Promotion Innovation Fund provides grants for projects to improve our health (eg supporting children and families, enabling active living, increasing healthy eating). Close Friday 4 September.
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Council affiliation fees
Invoices for your P&C's membership to Council are being sent out this week. These fees allow us to continue to offer a valuable service, both in advocating for the views and concerns of parents, and supporting volunteers with advice and resources. However, we know that things haven't gone to plan this year! Some P&Cs have been hit hard by restrictions on fundraising activities so we are offering extensions to the payment date or further assistance with fees for those who need it - simply contact Terry Sanders to discuss what is possible for your association this year.
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Treasurer awards
It's been a tough year for P&C treasurers, so you might like to take advantage of the Commonwealth Bank's Not-for-Profit Treasurers' Awards to give them a little recognition.
Alternatively, keen treasurers can vie for one of four $5,000 donations to your association by creatively sharing lessons they've learned about surviving a crisis while being treasurer in 2020.
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Constitution workshop
Our practical Constitution Workshop will help you get your P&C's constitution up to date! Find out what your constitution should look like (the model rules, Council's sample constitution), how to review and rewrite yours and pass it through your P&C. This is a rescheduled event, following postponement. If you registered for the earlier workshop, you are still registered.
It's on Thursday 27 August (week 6) from 7-9:30pm, via Zoom. Register here.
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From the tax office
The ATO has useful advice for Not For Profits:
- Thinking about the viability of your association with COVID-19.
- JobKeeper Payment extended for six months until 28 March 2021, but there are changes to eligibility and rates from 28 September. If you are currently receiving JobKeeper payments for your employees, there is nothing you need to do right now.
- JobKeeper rules have changed for CCS approved care providers
- A new cash flow boost estimator helps you see how these credits are calculated and how much you may receive
- Deadline for employers to finalise Single Touch Payroll data has passed. If you haven't done so, you need to do this now.
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Our activities
Just some of the things keeping us busy:
COVID plans
We had the opportunity last week to comment on the Directorate's plan for what will happen for schools if COVID returns to the ACT (currently confidential, but there will be an update at our next meeting). We were able to put forward the parent perspective, based on feedback from parents and members earlier in the year.
Reaching parents
We have been talking to the Directorate to make it easier for P&Cs and schools to work together on reaching parents and sharing communication channels. We've also been working away on a new set of graphics so P&Cs can easily call for volunteers, say thanks and celebrate their achievements in an eye-catching, engaging way (available soon on our website).
We have also been asking the Directorate for an update on the new parent portal of their administrative system (SENTRAL).
Disability working group
We have been working on actions coming out of our Disability Working Group. We held discussions with the Directorate to improve the enrolment process for families of students with disability who find the current process doesn't consider student need adequately. We have also secured the opportunity for the Group to have input into the Commonwealth review of disability education standards.
ACT Election
We have been refining our platform for the upcoming election, based on the priorities for schools identified by our Election Committee earlier this year. We're calling for 'Better schools beyond 2020' and will share the final document containing all our election asks with members and election candidates shortly.
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Upcoming events
- Executive Meeting, TONIGHT via zoom, 7pm
- Workshop: Grant writing, Thursday 13 August (This Week), 7-9:30pm. Via Zoom. Free member event.
- General Meeting. Featuring address from Ross Hawkins (Education Directorate Executive Group Manager) with update on the Building Strong and Safe Communities for Learning project, and the next steps in reducing and better responding to violence in schools. Tuesday 25 August (Week 6), 7pm via Zoom. All welcome
- Workshop: Constitutions, Thursday 27 August (Week 6), 7-9:30pm, via Zoom. Free member event.
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COVID-safe fundraising
Did you see the COVID-safe fundraising ideas in our previous Communicator eBulletin?
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You might be interested...
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Free schools environmental program
Get in quick for one of 50 free school subscriptions to The ClimateClever Schools Program (valued at $3000 each) - an award winning program that helps students measure, manage and reduce their school's carbon footprint and become leaders in sustainability.The program links to STEM, digital technologies and sustainability throughout the curriculum and will also save the school significant money on utility bills! Check the Schools Brochure to learn more.
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Student scholarships
The Public Education Foundation provides a range of scholarships for public school students. ACT students are eligible for the following:
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