November 2005
Once more the time has flown and I am back in front of the computer reflecting on what has been another busy and productive year for QCPCA.
Much has happened on an internal, State and National level that has impacted on or involved QCPCA. We continue to participate with interest and enthusiasm on our affiliate's behalf on all issues that affect not only the children in our State but all of Australia.
One of the most recent changes was to not only the structure of EQ but to the top job itself, with the shift of Anna Bligh to Deputy Premier, Minister for Finance, State Development, Trade and Innovation. The new Minister for Education is Rod Welford, (former Attorney-General) and the Officers had the opportunity to briefly meet him at the last meeting with the Director-General in July. In a formal setting, the Joint Parent Committee met with the new Minister the following week, at which he briefed us on his background and his vision for his role. It was heartening to hear him say that he wants to focus on completion of what has been started (ETRF) rather than initiate a range of new changes and programs.
QCPCA continues to have an opportunity to raise issues at Central Office level through the bi-monthly meetings the Officers have with the Director-General, Ken Smith, and any other department where issues have been identified to be progressed to a higher level.
Issues covered over the last 12 months have included-
Asbestos
Q-Build
EQ Complaints Management Policy
Education Adjustment Program
School Reporting
Principal Selection Panels
Air-conditioning
Basketball Posts
School Transport
All aspects of ETRF
Smart Choices
Our very dedicated volunteers at Regional and State level have continued to represent the organisation very well across an ever-increasing range of areas in education. The level of interest and willingness of people to give of their time, so that we can have our views represented, and also to be kept informed of the current happenings that would impact on our children always impress me. An example of the forums /committees that we have been invited to provide a representative to attend this year have included-
* Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Framework
* Queensland Certificate of Education
* Principal Inductions
* Smart Choices Implementation Group
* Queensland Studies Authority Board Member and SAC's representatives
* Board of Teacher Registration
* Nutrition Reference Group
* Reference Group for Behaviour Support
* Board Member for the Queensland College of Teachers
* Rural and Remote Reference Group
* Showcase State Evaluation Team
Input in the form of submissions and feedback have been provided as well in such areas as-
* Review of Food Act 1981 - Consultation Paper and the Food Bill 2005 Discussion Paper
* Licensing framework for School Age Care services
* Submission to BTR Review Paper
* Committee for Students with Impairments - Response to Senior Certificate Consultation Paper
* Senior Certificate Consultation Project Feedback Submission
* Submission to EQ re Replacement of Basketball Posts in Schools
* Response to Qld Review of Child Labour Discussion Paper
* Qld Certificate of Education feedback
* Education Laws for the Future, Review of the Education (General Provisions) Act 1989
* Feedback for Strategies for Retention of Pregnant & Parenting Young People in Education
* Development of Policy for Treatment of Road Noise
* Feedback on Strategic Plan 2005-2009 Dept of Education & the Arts
* Feedback for QSA/DET paper on Graded Assessment
* Qld Government discussion paper Bound for Success
* Survey and submission to EQ on the Prep Year
* Submission on EQ Homework Policy
During the year we took advantage of media opportunities through radio, television or print to promote our position on issues such as asbestos, vandalism of schools, bullying, cooler schools, behaviour management, state budget and the new Smart Choices - Healthy Food and Drink Strategy to name a few.
Our revamped Web Page has now been completed (and looks great!) with much more information being available there including Parent Talk articles, regional news and contact details, valuable links to other organisations, information and much more.
As you can see the year has been a busy one and I would like to take the opportunity to give a heartfelt thankyou to all who represented QCPCA at functions, meetings, on committees or teleconferences, provided feedback and comments for submissions or contributed in any way to assist QCPCA achieve their goals over the last year. A job well done by all and one to be proud of considering we all have many demands on our time. Also a big thankyou to the State Officers, State Executive, Regional members and the Ops Unit for their work over the past year - we make a great team.
I believe that it is very important to acknowledge those that help us to achieve our goals whenever possible and I hope you all take the time to do this at your schools and while we all automatically think of those faces behind the tuckshop counter or in the classroom helping the children with reading let's not forget the ones that I call the 'silent partners' - the husbands, neighbours, mothers-in-law, friends, even employers. Often it is the case that unless we have someone to watch our younger children, share the household workload or get an hour off work it wouldn't be possible for many of us to do our volunteer work. They contribute just as much to the school community as a 'volunteer' as the face that actually turns up. I know that without my husband's support over the last seven years I could not have done all I have at State level for QCPCA let alone the earlier years with five young children when I did tuckshop, reading etc (thanks to my mother-in-law and friends too).
This will be the last Parent Talk for the year so I would like to wrap up this column by thanking all P&C members throughout the State for a job well done and hope that you take advantage of the Festive Season that approaches quickly to spend time with family and friends. I look forward to another year as QCPCA President as we all work towards our respective goals, with our clear focus on why we are doing this - for the benefit of our children.
