August 2007
The last year has been a productive one filled with challenges and achievements aplenty for QCPCA. It is amazing that by the time this edition of Parent Talk reaches schools the current term of the executive team will be coming to an end. There will be a considerable changeover of executive positions which will be reported in the next edition. While the dynamics of curriculum, pedagogies and education resources change with ever increasing regularity the desires of parents wanting the best educational opportunities for their children remains as the centre focus for us all. We are an evolving organisation that endeavours to assist the P&C’s across this State meet their goals. Proudly we have been doing this since 1947.
Through our significant volunteer base there has been countless hours invested in and dedicated to our representation of our Policy and advocacy for the Parents & Citizens’ Associations across our State. The multi tiered levels of our organisation passionately seize all opportunities in our mission to improve educational outcomes for State School students. Our volunteers across every Region have been very dedicated and working hard in organising and running skilling sessions for P&C Executives, information sessions on current initiatives and visiting or talking to P&C’s offering assistance and advice with issues that arise in the course of carrying out their day-to-day business.
The results of our Prep survey have been collated and shared with the Minister, Education Queensland and other stakeholders. We will follow up with additional surveys to give P&C’s ample opportunity to share their experiences and opinions. The Minister is adamant that all P & C’s that receive a survey should reply to the survey and submit their frank opinions. An account of their experience - good and not so good - is essential for us to represent our affiliates on this very important educational initiative.
We reviewed our policy on Chaplaincy and predictably, challenged many opinions. We have broadened our position so that it supports P&C’s to investigate and participate in a Chaplaincy program, if that is what their school community desires.
We have undertaken a Performance Review with our executives at State and Regional levels. We have met the challenge to adopt a continual quality improvement system so that we can invest in our significant team of volunteers to ensure that they have the assistance and tools they need to best meet the needs of P&C’s.
We also embarked on a project to market and promote the organization. It is broadly recognized that for us to maintain currency and relevance to our affiliates and be a valued key stakeholder in education that we have to regularly assess and reassess how we put our position and opinions forward. We have subsequently engaged the services of a marketing / promotions consultant to assist us in realizing our goals for the future growth of the organisation and meeting the needs of our affiliates.
The past year has been extremely busy with representation by our large volunteer network at many forums and committees across the state. It is through these many representations that we promote our policy and advocate for the needs of school communities. We have also fielded approximately 150 media requests that have centred on issues relevant to P&C’s and school communities. Media is another forum in which we advocate for P&C’s and promote our policy.
QCPCA is truly indebted to its people who are ever giving of their time in a voluntary capacity in the ongoing pursuit of assisting P&C’s and continual improvement of education opportunities and outcomes for all State School Students. The commitment of our volunteers and staff is quite amazing. I believe the role of President for the past year has been one of great honour of being a member of such a significant team of dedicated and enthused people. It is not always about absolutes and must do and must nots, but about inclusive consultation of school communities so that they can plan to address the needs of their communities. It has been a privilege to coordinate the leadership of this great team and I would personally like to thank everyone who has contributed in any way over the year. It is the effort of everyone that delivers our achievements. Thankyou!
Brett Devenish
