August 2008

The year is rapidly passing by and the next few months will be very busy for those with Year 12 students that face their bigexams and parents with students that faced the National Tests will be receiving their results. We as parents encourage our children through this time and we remain supportive no matter the result.

As this edition of Parent Talk reaches schools, QCPCA Regional and State Executives will be reaching the end of another term of office. Our Annual Conference will be held in Gympie this year from then 12th – 14th September. The theme this year is ‘Just doing it for our kids’ and we have a full business agenda as well as our keynote speaker and workshops. We hope to see you there.

I have included a small overview of some items that P&Cs need to be aware of: -

Teacher Aide hours for Prep – we met with the Minister and raised this issue again and asked that there be full time Teacher Aides in Prep classes. This matter is especially needed in one and two teacher schools where the teacher may now have eight years to prepare lessons for. Toileting and the location of toilets is an issue and there are children being sent to Prep that require toilet training.

P & Cs signing Contracts – P & Cs are not legally able to sign contracts without the Ministers approval. The Minister has delegated this authority to school Principals. Please be aware that you must get the approval to sign the contract. QCPCA recommend that you do not sign contracts. The preferred option is for you to counter sign them with the Principal.

Cost of using Q Build – We have started another call to get the policy that requires the use of Q Build changed. We are meeting with Q Build at the end of July.

Solar Schools Project - On 22 June 2008, Premier Anna Bligh publicly announced this $60 million solar and energy efficiency in State schools initiative. Premier Bligh stated that the program will run for three years and will install solar panels and other energy efficiency measures in all Queensland State schools. The program will be introduced progressively, starting with ten schools of varying sizes and in different regions of Queensland from July 2008. This will be used in conjunction with the similar funding from the Federal Government

P&C Model Constitution – all P & Cs are now required to change their constitution. The new Model Constitution has been released. Community Participation Officers (CPOs) will be helping P&Cs to complete their new constitutions. The model constitution can be accessed from the department's policy register (EPPR) or by clicking on http://education.qld.gov.au/strategic/eppr/community/cmrpr002/

National Conference 2008 – Qld is hosting the national Conference in October. This is a great opportunity for your P&C to have input into the national Education Agenda. The registration forms and agenda are on the ACSSO website, www.acsso.org.au

This is just a small outline on what we have been involved in on your behalf. Please take the time to read the articles in this edition of Parent Talk. Previous editions and other items of interest can be found on our website.

Take care