May 2005

It is hard to believe that our first school term and Easter holidays are behind us already. Where did those first 3 months of the year go?

There a number of “hot” issues that we are working on at present and I know that many P&C’s have been working with or have been contacted by either your Regional teams or our Operations Unit to discuss things like the licensing of Outside School Hours Care services and the changes to the Education Act.

Many of you reading this issue of Parent Talk will be “first time” P&C Executives following your Annual General Meetings. I congratulate you on taking on this vital role within your school community, wish you well in your new positions and hope that you will become active and positive contributors to your school. I would also like to acknowledge those who have continued in Executive roles, as well as the many parents and citizens (members) out there who actively contribute to their P&C by volunteering their time.

In the centre spread of this Parent Talk, we have an article on QCPCA’s new Strategic Plan for 2004-2007, which was recently ratified by our State Executive the accompanying article also highlights some of our organisational achievements over recent times. It is quite a comprehensive list and takes into account the many and varied aspects of student, parent and school community issues we address on your behalf.

I think it also clearly demonstrates to all P&C’s the areas to which your membership fees are directed in our efforts to achieve our Mission “ to improve educational outcomes for state school students by representing our policy to Education Qld, the community and government, and by supporting P&C’s in schools.”

We are much more than just “the organisation that arranges insurance for P&C’s” - we are, in fact, strong advocates for and on behalf of students and P&C’s in the State School system.

Some examples of our work include:

Producing an Operations Manual for P&C’s in 2003 – a how to guide for P&C Executives on how to run their business. This publication brings together the collective wisdom of P&C’s over the years and is continually updated to take into account changing conditions.
Rationalising Public Liability costs. Following the huge increases in Public Liability insurance QCPCA took the case of P&C’s to the State Government and through consultation was able to secure rates that are the envy of other not for profit organizations
We have strongly represented the views of parents in the trials for the new Prep Year of School. We surveyed all P&C’s where the trial is being undertaken and have presented the results of this to the Minister.
We are a key stakeholder and contributor in the current Review of the Education Act and have been involved in a number of public and private consultations with Education Queensland. We have taken the views of P&C’s to these forums and will continue to advocate for your views and QCPCA policy in a vital area affecting our children’s future education conditions
Representing P&C, student and parental views on boards, reference groups and committees with Education Queensland, Queensland Studies Authority, Queensland Health, Queensland Association of School Tuckshops, to name a few
Building relationships with organisations with common interests in issues that matter to our students - health, nutrition, students with disabilities, promoting healthy weight and physical activity in children, students in rural and remote areas etc.
A submission and presentation to the House of Representatives Standing Committee into Vocational Education in Australian schools. Our submission was directed at gaining appropriate recognition of Vocational Education as a legitimate and desirable option in a students schooling

Like you, the people who lead QCPCA at a State and Regional level throughout this Queensland are volunteers working for the best outcomes we can for State School students.

We all have a common goal and I hope that you will join with us to help QCPCA achieve our Strategic Plan over the coming year.