In Attendance   11 as per attendance register (parents & teachers (8 + 3)

Apologies            2 as per attendance register

Previous Minutes

It was resolved that the Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th September, 2004 be accepted, moved by Kathy Dixon, Seconded by Leanne Dries.

Business Arising

·         Noticeboard - Still need to decide where to put the old noticeboard (when Julie replaces it).  Melissa to ask for suggestions in P&C Newsletter.  Suggestions from meeting: - End of Cola for House Points, can we get smaller letters, Back Gate - Permanent message (possibly over path entrance).

·         Present to Parents - A gift has been organised.  Melissa also suggested a bottle of wine for approx 4-5 families who are leaving the school community this year, who have been very active in P&C & School.  $20 each suggested and the meeting approved this.

·         Bricklayer (re shed extensions) - Melissa to advertise.  Donna suggested a former parent from School Community, Mr Endicott be contacted.

Treasurer's Report

Written report circulated for period ending 30^th September 2004 compiled by Terry Liddicoat who spoke to same.    Moved by Leanne Dries, seconded by Bill Harris.     

PRINCIPALS REPORT

A very busy term

• BST results - overview as in ASR
• Successful parent information sessions on Reading and Assessment and Reporting - very well-attended. I will try to plan more at similar time when more parents are available.
• Music Festival - a great success Congratulations to our Choir and 2O Dance Group and especially Mrs Beddoe for her major role in the festival.
• Dural Eisteddfod success - 3^rd place - an excellent achievement for our school Congratulations to all involved - band members Warwick Cuneo and Margaret Ramsay especially. Band promotion afternoon planned for later in the term.
• Tonight's final in the Rotary Club Debating Competition - an excellent achievement for our school - the team has been undefeated throughout the competition. Thanks and congratulations to Miss Peyton for her work with the team and Mrs Barton for her organisation of the debates.  Tonight Epping North was successful in the debate "That we learn more from success than failure".
• Kindy Orientation Days soon - we're looking forward to a lovely new group of Epping Heights children and their families.
• Planning well underway for next year - a 13^th class will be formed. Installation of a new demountable has commenced. Extra class will give us an extra day of Library staffing to 4 days per week. A new staff member, Sharon Dewar, has been appointed. She will visit the school shortly to meet with staff. Class organization has yet to be determined - but will probably include 2 composite classes in the Stage 1 area. The Executive staff is having a Planning Day this Friday to discuss 2005 organisation.
• Management Plan is well underway - led by Mr Osborne.
• Annual School Report - first meeting held last week. Thanks to Richard Botta and Stephanie Davison - parent reps on the committee. The targets we set for next year will link in closely with the Management Plan and will address DET priority areas. Evaluation of this year's Management Plan and ASR targets reveal a high level of achievement of goals set. We will continue to endeavour to improve across many areas for the benefit of our students.
• For next year we will have a target in the 'numeracy' area - the Maths syllabus is now in place and we now need to ensure it is being implemented effectively throughout the school. We are also planning a Student Welfare target - with the introduction of a program called Program Achieve. This program aims to develop social-emotional well-being in our children and therefore allow them to achieve their potential. Modules covered include: Getting Along, Persistence, Organisation, Confidence and Resilience. We would like to maintain the Creative Arts focus in 2005.
• Suggestions for P&C funds - to be discussed.
• Request for funds for school for next year - as for 2004, the school will be requesting $20000 towards the teaching/learning programs. Specific details when Management Plan completed and ASR targets set.
• New Demountable Classroom - the meeting asked why the new building will be East/West, when previously we were informed that they should be Nth/Sth.  Lack of visibility was also discussed, but it was advised that there are now three teachers on duty (oval, ash felt & front playground) so that is not an issue.  Julie will discuss East/West aspect with the Dept.

Committee Reports

Book club - Latest issue $1600.00

Building - Re hall.  It is not really progressing at the moment.  Project is very large for such a small school.  Julie said she has documents which would enable our School to get on the list for a fully funded Hall (a local Hornsby school recently got their Hall after being on the list for 20 years).

Canteen - Nil

Clothing- Leanne Dries - Clothing will be sold at both Orientation days this month.

Community Relations - Nil

Fundraising & Social -Kathy Dixon - Xmas Carols, Fri Dec 3^rd.  Food will be available, Mr Cuneo & Band to play, Choir to sing.

Gardening - Julie advised that some there are some dead limbs still on some trees that should have been removed.  Melissa will check with the company who removed the dead trees previously.

Multicultural - Committee to meet at Macquarie Centre Fri 12/11/04 for 1^st meeting.

Safety House - Nil

Traffic - Julie asked about the Apex "Kids don't bounce" signs.  Donna advised that all paperwork was passed to Elizabeth Timmons.

Correspondence In/Out

GENERAL BUSINESS

Computer Desks - Gaye Jarvis provided a plan for new tables in Computer Room.  Costs have not been advised yet.  Another company will be coming out in the next few weeks to quote also.  P&C will discuss when all quotes are in.

Stamp - We now have an address stamp for the P&C for stamping on envelopes etc.

Safety House - Melissa to write a thank you to the Minister for Police & Andrew Tink, as our houses have now been audited.

Lunch for Staff - Melissa proposed that the P&C do a lunch/breakfast for the Staff as a thank you for all their good work during the year.  Staff will discuss whether they want a lunch/breakfast or something else.  Executive will discuss the amount of money, but approx $10 per head was suggested, but it will depend on what type of event will take place.

Dance - Melissa organised a huge Bandana (signed by all the students) and a bottle of wine as a thank you to Steve for all his great work in Dance with the children this year.

Thank you's - Melissa would like to present flowers to the Music Festival Committee.  Also, in other instances Melissa would like to say thank you to other staff for their work, with presentation cards/thank you cards.  Peter Waddell said that his wife hand makes cards & does calligraphy. 

It was decided, that we wouldn't present any more flowers, or certificates as we would be missing out on acknowledging the behind the scenes work of other staff members. Julie H requested a formal, individualised thank-you letter to each staff member from the president, I agreed to do.  Julie will provide a list of staff's individual contributions. The staff present commented they were most delighted with individual cards and emails from parents expressing their appreciation.

Mobile Literacy Unit - Last meeting Julie presented a brochure regarding these units.  Terry Liddicoat proposed "That the P&C purchase six units up to a total of $3,000 for Stage 1 classrooms".  Seconded by Kathy Dixon.  Nine members for, Two members abstained from voting.  Motion passed.

Next Meeting                     Monday 15^th November 2004 (AGM) 8pm

Monday, 6^th December, 2004 (General)

                                      8.00pm in School Hall.

 Meeting Closed                  10.00pm

Signed                              Melissa Iredell, President

                                      Donna Collier, Secretary