May 2007 Edition
Construction Blue Card - How This Affects P&C Activities
Difficulty With Forming a P&C Association
Family Planning Queensland Launches Children's Storybook
Manual Handling Tips for Tuckshop Tasks
Moratorium on QCPCA Ploicy Changes for 2007
P&C Case Study - The Ryeford State School
P&C Email - Where Does It Go
Prep Year Survey - Parents Views on Prep Rollout
QCPCA Parent / Community Forum In The Bush
QCPCA Representing our affilates - Overview
Small Schools Come Together - Central West
Smart Choices Evaluation Survey for all P&C's
Smart Choices Quick Tips
Walk Safely to School Day - Friday 4th May 2007
Construction Blue Card - How This Affects P&C Activities
Recent changes to the definitions of construction work in the Workplace Health & Safety Act 1995 mean that some work undertaken by staff and volunteers as part of a working bee is now regarded as 'construction work' and therefore can only be undertaken by someone holding a Construction Blue Card.
The change in work activity definition means that work such as repairs to structures or work associated with construction of walls or buildings is now to be performed by someone holding a Construction Blue Card.
Anyone undertaking 'construction work' must go through an approved General Induction training course and be issued with a Construction Blue Card.
In recognition of the contribution that volunteers make to Queensland Schools, there has been a rationalisation of the definition of construction work to differentiate between high and low risk. Those undertaking low risk works are not required to hold a construction blue card.
How this affects volunteers.
General Induction requirements are administered by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, Department of Industrial Relations. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland recognises the important contribution that volunteers make to an organisation such as Education Queensland. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has now adopted an enforcement approach that differentiates between low risk and high-risk construction work undertaken by volunteers.
Volunteers who undertake only low risk construction work do not require a General Induction Training (Construction Blue Card). Examples of low risk construction work include:
* Brick laying
* Sanding and painting
* Replacing broken windows
* Rehanging doors
* Replacing carpet
* Basic joinery
* Building rock walls
* Repairing cracked footpaths
* Landscaping around newly constructed facilities
A volunteer who undertakes high risk construction work activities would need to complete General Induction Training. Examples of high-risk construction activities include:
* Work on a roof to repair tin sheets or lay tarpaulins
* Trenching* or excavation for laying pipes
* Working on ladders over 2m without adequate controls to prevent falls
# a trench is excavation where the maximum depth is more than the minimum width (the trench is deeper than it is wide)
General Induction Training - “Construction Blue Card”
Recent amendments to the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 have broadened the definition of ‘construction work’ which means that some work activities undertaken by school staff (e.g. Schools Officers) may be regarded as construction work, including:
* repairs to structures such as walls
* excavation or landscaping associated with the construction of a wall, building or other construction
* refurbishment/top dressing of ovals
A consequence of these changes is that school staff undertaking ‘construction work’ will be required to undertake an approved General Induction training course. A ‘Construction Blue Card’ is issued on completion of general induction training.
School staff currently performing construction activities have until 1 July 2007 to complete general induction training. However, newly hired employees will need to obtain a construction ‘blue card’ prior to engaging in any construction activities. As existing employees have approximately 12 months to obtain appropriate training, School Administrators should not feel pressured to send these staff to external training courses.
Education Queensland’s Organisational Health Unit is developing an in-house process to deliver General Induction Training to Schools Officers across the state that provides both the basic ‘Blue Card’ training and additional school specific information. Schools will be advised of the training calendar and the method to nominate relevant staff to attend the training.
For more information please do not hesitate to contact Mr Mark Hewison, Director, Organisational Health, on telephone (07) 3237 0230 or via email mark.hewison@deta.qld.gov.au should you have any questions.
We thank Education Queensland’s Organisational Health Unit as the source of this information.
Difficulty With Forming a P&C Association
Each year school communities begin the year off at a hectic pace. Preparing a child for school. Putting names on school uniforms, books, pencils and lunch boxes. What time to catch the bus or leave for school? Making sure the School grounds are tidy. Is the required number of staff available? Is the Tuckshop ready? These are just some of the things community members are involved in and that is only a part of the list.
The school has many parts to its puzzle and starting the P&C Association again for the year is one.
1. A date, time and place for the meeting
2. Making community members aware of the P&C membership forms to fill in, especially if they are unable to attend the AGM
3. Advertising the meeting in the school newsletter and on the notice board
4. Setting an agenda
5. Seeing that the Principal is ok for the meeting
6. Checking if there are members wishing to fill the positions in the P&C
7. Has the audit been completed?
8. When you consider this is not the whole list for the first P&C meeting, combined with the mix of starting the new school year, you can understand why some school communities have difficulty with forming a P&C.
9. Parents are a very important part of a school community, their opinion counts; it is after all their community’s school.
10. If your school struggles to start a P&C then maybe it is something a few parents have to take on as a project.
11. Make a list of things to do to build a foundation for a P&C:
| Things to do | Why do them? |
|---|---|
| Talk to your fellow parents | If you don't know what they think, how can you encourage them. |
| Find out the history of the P&C at your school. | If you know the history, then it can help you to understand why people feel the way they do about the P&C. |
| What does a P&C do? | You can not advocate for something, if you do not know the process. |
| Be aware of the rules. | This will help you see why it is done the way it is. It will put everyone on the same path. |
| Talk to QCPCA & Education Queensland Representatives. | You will have support and access to a knowledge base. Use it - You are not alone. |
| Be enthusiastic, flexible, tolerant and open-minded. | Everything has a beginning, sometimes more than one. You will suceed. |
Talking to the Principal, talking to fellow parents and community members, gives a feel for what is important to people. Remember we are all in it for the same reason, our Children.
Family Planning Queensland Launches Children's Storybook
Family Planning Queensland (FPQ) will launch its first illustrated children's book Everyone's got a bottom this year.
Everyone's got a bottom provides an opportunity for parents to talk about self protection skills with young children under 8 years old.
This book is a collaboration between writer Tess Rowley, illustrator Jodi Edwards and Family Planning Queensland educators. Emeritus Professor Freda Briggs and child protection experts from Creche & Kindergarten (C & K) and Queensland University of Technology’s School of Early Childhood and Napcan contributed valuable insights. The authors also drew on the experience of Family Planning Queensland educators who work with children every day through their education services.
‘We all have bodies and we all want to keep them safe,’ said Family Planning Queensland project coordinator Holly Brennan.
‘Everyone’s got a bottom is a story about a boy called Ben and his brother and sister learning and talking together about bodies. It is a tool for parents and carers to gently start a conversation with children about self protection. Family Planning Queensland has been campaigning for early childhood sexuality education as a child protection measure for years and this beautifully illustrated children’s storybook is an example of how to do it.’
‘The book is based on sound research about child protection education. The children we focus tested just think it’s a great story, but one child protection expert who read it commented that you can see the evidence of research in the story and the dialogue and in the whole approach.’
The development of Everyone’s got a bottom was funded by the Gambling Community Benefit Fund. It went on sale on 3 April 2007.
For more information go to www.fpq.com.au
Manual Handling Tips for Tuckshop Tasks
Manual handling is what we do every time we lift, carry, or support something.
Such tasks are carried out by volunteers many times every day in every tuckshop across the State.
But Workplace Health and Safety Queensland ( WHSQ ) has warned that these seemingly commonplace tasks can lead to serious injury if they involve:
* high force (e.g. lifting a heavy carton of food)
* awkward postures (e.g. leaning and over stretching)
* static postures (e.g. sitting, standing or bending in one position for long periods)
* performing a movement repeatedly (e.g. continuous cutting for hours on end).
P&Cs, convenors and volunteers can readily identify problem tasks by:
* looking at the tuckshop layout - where are products delivered, stored, prepared and sold
* watching people at work to learn how tasks can be made easier, require less effort or avoid awkward postures
* asking volunteers what parts of their bodies hurt at the end of the day
* finding out how much items weigh.
To decrease the likelihood of injuries from manual handling, WHSQ advises eliminating problem tasks completely if possible or by finding another way to do the task that minimises the risk.
Volunteers should also be trained in the safest and most efficient way of doing all manual handling tasks. Other possible solutions include:
* getting delivery drivers to unload their vehicles
* buying smaller or lighter cartons of stock
* providing shelves that allow easy access to most items
* storing heavier items between knee and shoulder height
* reducing the size and weight of rubbish bins
* placing rubbish bins on trolleys so they can be wheeled easily to industrial bins and using mechanical lifters to transfer rubbish into industrial bins
* locating equipment and work benches according to work flow to reduce double handling and increase efficiency and productivity (e.g. have the fridge near the workbench)
* ensuring counters are not too wide so that workers do not have to have to lean too far forward and stretch a lot
* providing, or recommending, volunteers wear non-slip footwear with rubber soles.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland’s Small Business Program advisors can provide free practical advice on how to establish safer work practices.
For more information visit www.deir.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 915.
Moratorium on QCPCA Policy Changes for 2007
STOP PRESS
At the February 2007 State Executive Meeting, a decision was made to establish a Policy Re-write Working Party to review and recommend any changes needed to bring the QCPCA Policy into a better format, including editorial, currency, repetition and obsolete items and to look at proposed Policy that is deficient and the actual format of Policy.
To this end, the Policy Re-write Working Party has been formed and consists of a nominated group from the State Executive Committee, to review and prepare a final document for presentation to the 2008 QCPCA State Conference.
The State Executive has requested that to enable this process to flow uninterrupted, a voluntary moratorium on Policy changes be observed for the 2007 QCPCA Annual General Meeting and State Conference, so that no Policy changes are submitted this year whilst it is being re-written.
Your assistance in this request would be greatly appreciated.
REMEMBER THE CLOSING DATE FOR 2007 QCPCA CONSTITUTION CHANGES TO BE CONSIDERED AT STATE CONFERENCE IS 7 JUNE 2007.
P&C Case Study - The Ryeford State School
The Ryeford State School is a small, rural school situated approximately 10 kilometers west of Clifton on the Darling Downs. There are 3 teachers and 54 students and a P&C Association ready for challenge and fun.
Time is very precious for families and they were finding it hard to commit to the numerous fundraising ventures held throughout the year. There had to be an easier and more enjoyable way to do it.
It was decided that they would focus on 2 major ‘events’ for the year. A ‘High Tea’ to celebrate Mother’s Day and a ‘Cocktail night’ towards the end of the year.
Careful planning, lots of help from parents and accessing the wider community were all parts of the successful formula. Parents and teachers were asked to provide a list of people from the local community and beyond whom they thought would like to attend and invitations were then sent out. Raffles were held at both functions with donations were sought from outside the community this gave local businesses a break from donating. $7000 was raised from the two events.
The overwhelming, positive response to both events has meant that they will be on again as well as a Melbourne Cup luncheon.
Looking at things differently and limiting functions, involving the wider community and having fun has given this P&C a new lease on FUNdraising.
P&C Email - Where Does It Go
How can your P&C Association answer the following questions?
How does your P&C Association receive its mail? Does your P&C have difficulty with all mail being available at your P&C meeting?
P&C Associations need to establish a procedure that suits them for receiving mail and having it reach the appropriate people in time for consideration at meetings or if need be by a certain date.
| Ways P&C's receive mail | Examples of mail received |
|---|---|
Through Australia Post By Bulk mail from their Education District By email From a visiting person eg. A Community Participation Officer From members returning from a representation on behalf of the P&C. The Principal or Registrar. A parent or community member hand delivering |
QCPCA mail from State, Regional Council and representatives to conferences, workshops etc. Emails from QCPCA and Community Paticipation Officer. Education Queensland updates Fundraising. Budget and AOP Documents from the Principal. Flyers advertising events.
|
Mail addressed to the P&C Association should reach the P&C Secretary, President or Treasurer unopened.
P&C members should take note of mail that is received at the same time each year eg QCPCA Membership and Insurance mail out at the start of each year, and be aware if it has been received or not. The Secretary, writing a list of annual mail received to allow a check to be made, could be helpful.
P&C members should listen to their Principals reports and read Education Views & Parent Talk magazine to take note of what new information they should be receiving.
Establishing a process for the receiving of mail is important.
> If a place can be set aside in the school for P&C mail be it a desk draw or tray then all administration staff are aware of where P&C mail should be placed.
> Having a computer available at school for P&C Associations to receive email can also be part of the process.
> Collecting the mail on a regular basis is good practice as it allows the executive to deal with business that may require attending to before the next P&C meeting.
> Make arrangements with the school for delivery home of mail if your Secretary is unable to collect mail from the school.
> Mail needs to be opened by the Secretary on receipt of so the contents are not a surprise at the meeting. This will also show if the P&C has received mail before a meeting on a particular topic they know will need to be discussed.
> Don’t leave the mail till the P&C meeting. It makes the Secretary’s role a lot harder as you need to be able to have an understanding of the mail, which is difficult to do in a meeting atmosphere. You will need to have copies of the list of mail and possibly copies of important mail for the meeting or more information.
> Check regularly with your Community Participation Officer in your Education District to see if there has been mail sent out and who to.
> Make regular contact with your QCPCA Regional Council executive members and ask if there are any issues you need to discuss and if there has been mail sent to your P&C Association.
Reading QCPCA and Education Queensland web sites, talking to others like your Principal and community members and being aware of what is happening in Education both at State and National levels are ways of helping your P&C keep up to date with the mail.
Prep Year Survey - Parents Views on Prep Rollout
QCPCA is conducting surveys to gauge P&C opinion on the implementation of Prep Year across Queensland State Schools. We have conducted similar surveys annually since the trials of Prep began and information provided by our affiliates assists us in continuing to advocate for you and your students’ needs.
We encourage you to complete the survey on your Prep class / classes for the first term of 2007, which we expect to be posted out to P&C’s in April with a return date of the end of May.
Surveys will go to all State Schools with Prep classes early in each of Terms 2, 3 and 4 so that the successes, trials and tribulations, over the first 3 terms of full time Prep for every Primary School, can be established.
Your frank and honest responses in answering the questions is vitally important for QCPCA, your advocate, to be able to represent the successes and concerns of Prep as the first stage of the early years of learning. We need to know HOW your Prep has achieved not just WHAT it has achieved.
Please engage parents of Prep students in discussion of the survey questions so that your P&C can provide a response that best represents your school community. Staffing, Resourcing and Facilities are all important issues that need to be included in the discussion.
The Minister for Education, Training and the Arts as well as Education Queensland are aware of these surveys and are also eager to view the results. Teachers, Principals, and Teacher Aides have been surveyed by their respective representatives. Feedback is vital from all sectors of the school community to ensure we get it as right as it can be for our children.
The survey to review Term 1 of Prep has been posted to P&C Associations so please keep an eye out for it and send us your responses by the end of May 2007.
QCPCA Parent / Community Forum In The Bush
Meeting P&C members on their ‘home turf’ and speaking with them face to face about their issues was the incentive to conduct a Parent / Community Forum, incorporating QCPCA’s State Executive meeting to the outback in Barcaldine.
After an early rise on Friday morning 30 March, the State Executive team and Mr Wayne Chalmers (a guest presenter), 20 in total, flew out to Blackall. This was the beginning of our weekend in the Bush, the first Parent / Community Forum and State Executive Meeting to be held outside of Brisbane.
Members were met at the Blackall Airport by Artesian Country Tours with Mr. Tom Lockie, a well known outback character, who was the bus driver for the weekend. Stories and local information were in abundance as we settled in for the journey ahead. The first visit was made to the Blackall State School, Prep – Year 12 (approx 178 students). Here we were welcomed by the Principal, Mr Bob Harding and invited to share morning tea with staff. We were then shown around the grounds and facilities, which cater very well for the students attending the school. After admiring and appreciating the work done by students we said farewell to Mr Harding and Blackall State School with congratulations on having a school with a great atmosphere conducive to learning. Mr Lockie then took us on a short tour of Blackall, including stopping to see the Black Stump, before heading off to Barcaldine.
A picnic lunch was enjoyed by all at the half way mark between Blackall and Barcaldine. On arriving in Barcaldine we headed to the Barcaldine State School, Prep -12 (approx 307 students) where we were welcomed by the Principal Ms Robin Rayner and two school leaders. The Principal and school leaders took us on a tour showing us their impressive facilities were we had time to ‘play’ with the Prep students. Barcaldine State School is divided into 3 campuses on the one site, Prep / Lower, Middle school and Senior school. The two students did a great job of being hosts and were able to answer all of our questions. They were extremely proud of their school and positive about the quality of education they receive. Afternoon tea was prepared by Year 10 and 11 hospitality students who also prepared all our meals including morning and afternoon teas for Saturday and Sunday was beautifully prepared and presented. This assisted the Year 11 students who were fundraising for their camp. We departed for the Iron Bark Motel after thanking all those involved for their great hospitality.
Friday night was a meet and greet with the town officials at a BBQ held in the council grounds. Members had the opportunity to speak with local councilors, business people, P&C members and other community groups. QCPCA State President, Brett Devenish, made special mention of the late Mr Dave Thompson and the work that he undertook for QCPCA in the North West Region and at a state level. It was great to have his son David, and his family members, present to hear the acknowledgement of his father’s involvement and commitment.
Saturday was spent undertaking the business of QCPCA at the Shire Council offices. During lunchtime members availed themselves to the invitation by councilor Mr Phil Mitchell to tour the old Barcaldine State School facilities, which has been transformed into a community centre. This centre is part of the Australian Workers Heritage Centre and includes the Wanpa-rda Matilda Outback Education Centre. This Education Centre is an Education Queensland facility and has accommodation as well as classrooms for students. Student’s travel by train or coach to Barcaldine and the Principal commented that it was a great central point, a base camp, for students to experience the outback. Saturday night members experienced the night in Barcaldine with an excellent dinner at the Iron Bark and some socializing with community members. Thanks to Rob and Deb Chandler for their hospitality.
Sunday, all school communities in the region had been invited to attend the question and answer session with a panel at the ready to provide answers and information. The Regional Executive Director, Ms Lynne Foley, EDS, Ms Rowena Arthur and, Ms Lesley McAteer, Community Participation Officer also attended. P&C members participated in a workshop with Wayne Chalmers on marketing your P&C and a focus groups session. This workshop allowed P&C members to say how they conduct their P&C business operations and air issues both positive and negative. Everyone participated in a presentation by Wayne on marketing of your P&C and how to improve membership of your P&C through effective communication strategies. All guests were given an evaluation sheet to fill in so that the executive can gauge the success of the meeting from the P&C member’s point of view.
Sunday afternoon saw us back in the bus driving to Longreach. Mr Lockie’s personality and his ability to tell a tale or provide information made the travel pass quickly. On reaching Longreach we took note of the Longreach Hall of Fame, the Pastoral College and other points of interest before stopping at the Longreach School of the Air.
The use of modern technology is making the School of the Air more interactive for the students. Many projects of the students were on display, e.g. Storybooks, paintings and drawings and models. It was interesting to see the different interpretations of an assignment, like the windmill that students made. Students only have their own thoughts and are not influenced by their classmates, as they could be if they were sitting in a standard classroom. The models were all different and all very much a windmill. The P&C hosted afternoon tea after taking us on a tour of the facilities.
We boarded our bus and headed for the Longreach airport where the QANTAS 747 is on display. A flight back to Brisbane from Longreach left at 6pm with a group of exhausted but well-informed State Executive members. This trip outlined the influence distance has on HOW things are managed in the bush yet many issues highlighted over the weekend were very similar to those experienced across Queensland.
We saw schools that were meeting the challenge of education with distance head on and winning. We met and enjoyed the company of the locals and gained more understanding of how things work out bush for P&C’s.
This inaugural Parent / Community Forum weekend demonstrated to QCPCA of the need for continued communication, assistance and support to assist P&C’s in their functioning’s of their business operations on a daily basis and through our networks we will endeavor to meet our affiliates needs.
QCPCA members extend many thanks to the fantastic hosts, members of the North West Region, for their hospitality and to all involved in making the weekend a successful one.
QCPCA thanks the outback for its hospitality it was very much appreciated.
QCPCA Representing our affilates - Overview
QCPCA’s core business is:
“To improve educational outcomes for Queensland state school students by representing our policy to Education Qld, the community and government, and by supporting Parents & Citizens’ Associations in State schools.”
The following will give you an insight into the activities where QCPCA is working on your behalf.
QCPCA at the Toowoomba Show
This year at the 2007 Toowoomba Royal Show QCPCA members joined Education Queensland staff in promoting State Education and QCPCA.
Mr Mike Ludwig, Darling Downs South West Regional Executive Director Schools, invited members of the Darling Downs QCPCA Regional Council to join members of the Toowoomba Education District in manning a stand in the pavilion. Promotional material from Education Queensland and QCPCA was distributed to and readily received by patrons. Members are looking forward to receiving the invitation in 2008.
Showcase Awards
The Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools are the Queensland Government's highest accolade for state schools.
The prestigious annual awards program recognises and rewards state schools for education practices that significantly improve learning outcomes for students Showcase is well into the organisation time, but you still have time to get entries in, 20th April is the cut off time.
The panel, on which QCPCA is represented, always has a difficult task in choosing one of the high quality education practices for each category.
The eight categories include:
* Showcase Award for Excellence in the Early Phase of Learning
* Showcase Award for Excellence in the Middle Phase of Learning
* Showcase Award for Excellence in the Senior Phase of Learning
* Showcase Award for Excellence in Inclusive Education
* Showcase Award for Excellence in Leadership
* Showcase Award for Excellence in Innovation
* Showcase Award for Academic Excellence
* Showcase Award for Excellence in Community or Industry Partnerships
The Showcase Board hopes with lots of great work being done in 2007, the first year of Prep in all schools, the 2008 Showcase Awards will give school communities the opportunity to showcase their program.
State Awards will be announced at the Showcase Gala Dinner on Thursday 11 October 2007.
Good luck to all those Schools/Clusters who have entered the Showcase Awards for 2007.
Brisbane and Adjacent Shires and Cities Immunisation Committee (BASCIC)
1. A new membership structure for BASCIC will be trialled with a view to becoming a formal Clinical Network in the future.
2. Current vaccination coverage levels for local government areas for children at their first birthday have fallen slightly and are now just below 90%. Vaccination coverage within the state 24-<27mth age group remains high. Significant improvement in 72-<75mth rates have been evident over recent quarters. MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) yields higher coverage rates than fully vaccinated for the same age cohort because it is dependant on a single visit to a vaccine service provider.
Brisbane Southside Child Health Intersectoral Group (BSCHIG)
* The need for the training of childcare workers in the use of EpiPen® was raised at the meeting to plan for Health seminars for Child Care workers. A suggestion was to lobby for the inclusion of this skill in Senior First Aid. A letter will be sent to tertiary institutions regarding the inclusion of training for the recognition and management of anaphylaxis for trainee teachers and child care workers.
* School Camps
The Public Health Unit has been notified of several schools that have had outbreaks of viral and bacterial gastroenteritis that have occurred amongst children attending school camps. Issues around water supply and food preparation activities for these facilities are being addressed through the Local Government Association. A draft set of guidelines was distributed for use by schools when assessing school camp suitability.
* Infection Control and Management of Prescribed Contagious Conditions - Education Qld
The meeting was advised of the new policy relating to minimum standards of infection control practices (including the provision of facilities for hand washing) at schools and departmental workplaces. Web site address - http://education.qld.gov.au/strategic/eppr/health/hlspr004/
* Draft Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition 2007 (NHMRC)
The Handbook is reviewed and republished every 2 - 3 years. It was last updated in 2003.
A copy of this can be found at http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/ immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/handbook07
National Teaching Accreditation Forum
Teaching Australia opened the forum with a brief presentation of why there was a need for National Teaching Accreditation. Their aim is to strengthen the quality of teacher preparations and increase public confidence in new teacher graduates and in the teaching profession. The agenda for the forum consisted of an introduction giving the purpose, process and outcomes from the forum, 2 workshops with feedback sessions and a 5minutes presentation each from 4 stakeholders (QASSP, Independent Schools Qld (ISQ), a teacher and a parent (me). The attendees were divided into 3 groups (predetermined) for each workshop at which 2 questions were discussed. The entire forum reassembled after each workshop to give feedback from each group. There hope to be further consultations and forums across Australia to help shape the Accreditation process.
Youth Violence Taskforce
The Taskforce was set up in November 2006 by Minister Spence (Minister for Police) and Minister Pitt (Minister for Communities) with members coming from various Government and community Groups and meet on a monthly basis.
The aims of the group will be:
* To examine the incidents and any trends of violence among young people in Queensland and Australia.
* To examine the factors that lead a young person towards violence such as:
1. anger management
2. domestic and family influences
3. peer influences
4. school – including any link to scholastic ability, failure and behaviour;
5. community influences, such as role models
6. alcohol and drugs.
Taskforce members will be required to recommend proven, evidence-based youth violence prevention strategies and ways to help educate young people how to avoid the potential for violence, how to prevent it and what the consequences are.
The NeiTA Awards – National Excellence In Teaching Awards
The program calls on parents, school councils, and committees of management, student councils and local community organisations to identify teachers who are an inspiration to their students, to their peers and to their community
The awards promote public recognition of the teaching profession and specifically those teachers who have demonstrated excellence and commitment in their work.
The awards process begins in November of each year and finishes with the judging in the following March. Queensland Teacher’s, who make it past the written application stage, then have to give a five-minute address. The finalists in each of the categories, Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary are then asked to submit a written assignment of 2000-2500 words on an aspect of teaching.
The QCPCA representative on the selection panel reads approximately 60 applications in November, before forwarding them onto Melbourne for assessment at a National Level.
Ten teachers are selected in each state. All participants receive awards and certificates, however only 3 winners are recognized Nationally. The 10 Queensland teachers’ who made it through to the National Level can be viewed on the NeiTa web page. www.neita.com
Some of the topics that the teachers have talked passionately about are:
* Gifted and Talented Students
* Prep – School and how they learn
* Job Pathways
* Digital Portfolios for Students with Disabilities
* Behaviour Management
* Troubled Youth and teaching
* Superhero teaching
Queensland has more nominations than any other state in Australia. Congratulations to all of the Winners.
Your School may have a teacher who deserves your nomination so when the information comes to your school, don’t hesitate to nominate someone in 2007.
QAST EXPO
The QAST (Queensland Association of School Tuckshops) Brisbane Tuckshop Trade EXPO was held at the Brisbane RNA showgrounds on Saturday 24th March 2007.
QCPCA representatives from the Met East and Met West Regional Councils manned a stall at the EXPO to assist with any enquiries that may have been forthcoming in relation to the P&C business that operates tuckshops.
Attendance of this EXPO was open to all schools both state and private, which operate a tuckshop.
There were workshops run every hour and these included:
* Fit 4 Fun Meal Deal – How tuckshops can be involved in 2007.
* Nutrition Australia ran two workshops - Going to a Greener Place one aimed at primary schools and another aimed specifically at high schools and P-12 schools
* High School and P-12 Case Studies – an interactive discussion about change from a convenor’s perspective. There was a panel that gave advice and solutions to problems encountered when the Smart Choices strategy was introduced.
* Primary School Case Studies which were run in the similar manner as the High School workshop
* Michelle Trute a celebrity chef offered a helping hand
As well as the workshops, there were networking sessions to discuss volunteer management, working with Parent Bodies, pricing, menus and other topics raised by interested attendees. Cooking demonstrations and book signings were also offered.
The highlights for most people were the trade stalls, which gave away free samples and information to take back to their schools / P&C’s. All suppliers that wished to have a stall at the expo needed to provide and display only products that met the Smart Choices strategy. Convenors were given the opportunity to leave their names for representatives to attend their school with products they thought would be suitable for their P&C’s to consider.
Convenors and Parents who attended the expo would have taken away with them some exciting information and products to implement in their tuckshops.
Small Schools Come Together - Central West
Ten small schools in the Central West District travelled into Longreach for two days of athletics skilling. At the end of the two days, Small Schools Rugby League and Netball teams were announced. These teams will participate in the Central West trials in Blackall on the 21st of April 2007.
Schools who participated in the two days were: Aramac, Alpha, Eversham, Ilfracombe, Isisford, Jundah, Longreach School of Distance Education, Stonehenge, Saint Pat’s Catholic School in Winton and Yaraka.
The children traveled up to 200km to participate and were rewarded with two days jam packed full of activities, plus the opportunity to partake in the delights of Pizza by the pool.
Tania Scott from the Longreach School of Distance Education, with the help of volunteers, organized the skilling workshop.
This activity was organized to give those children who attend small schools the opportunity to socialize with other children from small schools, improve on their team play and travel to a District Carnival as part of a team, with whom they know.
Smart Choices Evaluation Survey for all P&C's
QCPCA in conjunction with Qld Health is seeking the support of all P&C Associations in Queensland to complete a survey on the Implementation of the Smart Choices – Healthy Food and Drink Supply Strategy for Queensland Schools.
Surveys will be sent to all State School Principals and P&C Associations from the beginning of May and due by the end of June 2007. Principals will receive an online survey and P&C’s will be receiving a written survey in the mail.
A random selection of approximately 700 Tuckshop convenors will also be contacted by telephone, in this same period, to complete the tuckshop survey separately at a convenient time for the convenor.
P&C Associations whose tuckshop convenors have been selected to complete the Tuckshop Surveys by telephone should ensure that the Tuckshop convenor is aware of the survey and has the P&C’s support in providing the time for the convenor to undertake this survey.
Remember that all surveys need to be copied for the secretary to file as recorded inward and outward correspondence for the P&C minutes. The Tuckshop survey is by telephone therefore it should be recorded in the tuckshop report that the Convenor responded to the survey and what the key points of discussion were, which will then be minuted.
P&C Associations statewide have reportedly been enthusiastic in implementing Smart Choices across all P&C Operations. This has been evident in the attendance at seminars and phone and email enquiries through QCPCA avenues as well as other organisations.
This survey is to assist in providing an overall picture on how P&C’s have progressed with implementation and informed themselves with the information they need to implement this policy in all areas of P&C operations.
On completion of the survey P&C’s will have highlighted their areas of success and also the areas where further support or information is required.
Have your P&C’s progress represented by completing this survey by the due date and returned in the reply paid envelope.
Give voice to what has been a major change in schools and particularly to P&C operations.
Smart Choices Quick Tips
Having problems getting students interested in your new healthier menu options?
Get them involved. Students will respond to new ideas if they are asked about their thoughts and opinions.
Conduct a food expo at the school. The idea is to provide samples of a large range of food ideas to students who evaluate the foods tasted, from 1 to 5. The Convenor and P&C would then collate the evaluations and construct the menu around popular opinion.
Not only should the tuckshops profits increase but so will the positive involvement from students because you have involved them in the process. This works especially well for High schools.
New information on the Education Qld website: Smart Choices. http://education.qld.gov.au/schools/healthy
Information on camps will be available for those needing some assistance in organising food for camps.
New Frequently asked questions – Definition of Confectionary as it applies to Smart Choices.
Remember to contact your district contacts for any questions relating to Smart Choices http://education.qld.gov.au/schools/healthy/district-contacts.html or QCPCA on 3352 3900.
Walk Safely to School Day - Friday 4th May 2007
Active Kids are Healthy Kids
Friday May 4 is Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) and all children though out Australia are being asked to walk all or part of the way to school with their parents, carers and teachers, learning to become active, healthy and safe little Australians.
Walking is one of the best ways to get exercise. It’s free, easy and great for the environment, so try to include a 30 minute walk each day.
You think it might be too hard to do? Well, for big journeys, why not walk to and from public transport? Or if that’s not possible, try leaving the car at least half a kilometre from school and walking the rest of the way.
WSTSD is an annual event which promotes and informs parents, carers, teachers and children of the significant physical, mental and social health benefits which can be achieved through regular walking.
It is also great for the environment! Car dependency habits are created at an early age and are difficult to change as children become adults. Walking to school helps protect and improve the living environment and provides the added health benefits of cleaner air, less traffic noise and fewer road accidents.
Remember, active kids are healthy kids, so let’s get moving Australia!
For more information and school registration (available from March 22nd): www.walk.com.au
Walk Safely to School Day is supported by the Australian Government and each State and Territory Government.