MOUNT OMMANEY SPECIAL SCHOOL

PARENTS AND CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION

18 November 2015 MEETING OPENED: 6.30pm

ATTENDANCE: Liza Raggatt, Melissa Farrell, Sondra Vandeleur, Susan Christensen, Dani

Pack, Karen Cramer, Lyn Henderson, Kerrie Reid , Jim Green; Chris Schulz and

Ruth Ormond (UCCC).

APOLOGIES: Jen McDonald, Tennille Graham, Hedy

CONFIRMATION

OF PREVIOUS

MINUTES:

Passed: Liza Raggatt Seconded: Dani Pack

BUSINESS ARISING: � (held over for General Business)

CORRESPONDANCE

IN:

� P&CQld emails

� Letter from Tarnya Smith MP providing feedback on her representations

on our behalf regarding future infrastructure needs at MOSS.

� Letter of introduction from Milton Dick, Federal Labor candidate for

Oxley (Jen to write thank you).

� Free Choice Support Service: summer support programs/vacation care

(passed on by Hollie).

� Invitation from Minister of Education to Advancing Education Forum.

� RACQ monthly magazine & Parent Talk.

CORRESPONDANCE

OUT:

� Thank you cards to Jean, Hollie, Ainslie, Amelia & Danni for the Siblings

Support day camp held in the Sept holidays.

AFTER SCHOOL &

VACATION CARE

• UCCC advised that they were in the process of putting together the

tender to provide after school care services at MOSS. Applications

had been declined for other schools due to costs (UCCC was unable

to subsidise using funds from other programs).

• Of the four centres where UCCC host vacation care, MOSS has the

highest enrolment numbers. At 80% capacity, MOSS is the busiest

service too.

• Susan will investigate viability of UCCC using MOSS bus for transport

on excursions.

PRINCIPAL’S

REPORT:

Facilities

Susan advised that confirmation had been received that the school will

receive two new relocatable buildings that will be ready for use for 2016

school year. Necessary modifications such as extra toilets and covered space

between the buildings have been negotiated. Buildings to be situated on the

grassy slope leading down from C Block.

Capital works

Capital works money ($80,000) to be shared between Sensory Playground

and Senior playground. Further planning required for suitable perimeter

fencing to ensure the safety of the highly mobile students. Perimeter fencing

was acknowledged as a significant issue by the P&C.

Local Consultative Committee (LCC)

In line with the requirement that every school with more than 20 staff has an

LCC, one was recently formed for MOSS. This will be responsible for

representing the views of staff members when key decisions are made.

Members include: Susan Christensen (Chair), Karen Walton, Ben Holt, Sarah

MOUNT OMMANEY SPECIAL SCHOOL

PARENTS AND CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION

Hansen, Bettina Moffatt, Melissa Farrell, Nicola Champeaux, Shubh Gupta.

Additional Deputy Principal role

LCC has decided to make this a full-time position, interviews to take place

this week. More changes to the school’s leadership team & structure to

follow in 2016, but yet to be finalized.

Business Services Manager

Interviews for 4 candidates from a pool of 42 were held last week, successful

applicant yet to be announced.

Pre-service Teachers

The Teacher Suitability Ranking Assessment for each of the three pre-service

teachers indicated that each rated very highly, and they have all accepted a

teaching position at MOSS for 2016.

Thanks extended to the P&C and Merry Christmas to all.

ECDP REPORT:

Student numbers

Mel advised that 45 children are graduating from the ECDP this year, ad

approximately 53 will be starting in 2016

Staffing

Huge thanks to Lyn Henderson and Helen Gilmour for the extra hours put in

to the November download.

Gail Stoner left but was replaced for Term 4 by Chrissy Hamilton (Mon-Tues)

and Katherine Anderson (Wed-Fri). Thanks also to the extra support

provided by Beverley.

IEPs & Transition

IEPs & Transition plans are currently being completed and will be reviewed

by parents over the next two weeks. Children have begun their transition

program to their chosen big school from EDCP.

Graduation

Preparations for 2 December are well underway. Thanks to the P&C for

funding the books for the graduates, and to Katie B for securing a great deal

with the local QBD store.

Adopt-A-Cop

Local cops Ben & Tom were a hit during a recent visit to the ECDP, as well as

their car, flashing lights and dress-ups.

Support

Huge thanks to Jane Cosman, Nikki Bernia and other ECDP families who have

stepped up and provided additional support to the ECDP over recent weeks.

Jane’s wonderful letter of support for the ECDP was tabled and welcomed by

the P&C. Cheers to the P&C for their on-going support of the ECDP in 2015

and beyond. And special thanks to Jim Green who has been a wonderful

advocate for the ECDP, staff, families & children over all the years he has

MOUNT OMMANEY SPECIAL SCHOOL

PARENTS AND CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION

been at MOSS. Massive.

PARENT &

COMMUNITY

ENGAGEMENT

REPORT

(Jim’s last as EPO):

Parent Communication Surveys

Results shared with P&C. School looking at improving regular weekly

communication.

Intensive Interaction Parents as Partners project

Unfortunately we missed out on being shortlisted for the Women & Change

grants, but Australian Schools Plus continue to seek funding on our behalf.

McIntyre Centre

P&C feedback on proposal for non-riding family program over summer

holidays has been passed on to the Centre.

Adopt-A-Cop

Tom McKay has been adopted by the school community through the Adopt-

A-Cop program. Tom & his colleague Ben have already spent a couple of

days at the ECDP (see above), and will return to the school for the Xmas party

for the official adoption ceremony.

Fundraising

Good results following the Appeal for Support. One family is having a food

stall over two days at the Vietnamese Festival early in 2016 with all proceeds

donated back to the appeal. Daniel from Cronin’s Tribe Fight Gym has raised

$560 towards the modified trike. Thanks from the P&C to all involved ☺

A reworked grant for $3000 for a modified trike was submitted to Transurban

on 6 November. The Song Room has also submitted an application to the

Mazda Foundation on our behalf for Imagination Station. Susan is writing an

application to the Gaming Fund for the senior playground. Not many tickets

sold for the Estee Lauder fundraiser, hopefully will pick up closer to the day.

Rotary Club of Greater Springfield

We have flagged the Family Fun Day in Term 1 next year for their visit; Kerrie

to liaise with Regina.

Christmas

Calendars look great, to be sold for $13 each, and last year’s Xmas cards for

$5 per pack of 10. Solid response to the school Xmas party on 30 November

with plans well underway. Quite a few donations have come in for the P&C

raffle, but a reminder will be sent out next week.

GENERAL BUSINESS:

• The P&C is positively traumatized by the prospect of Jim’s departure,

but rallied bravely & presented him with a piece of our favourite

artwork while wishing him the Best of Luck with his new position

with the McIntyre Centre. He will be hugely missed.

• Following discussions at the last meeting, Liza proposed the P&C

request a voluntary annual contribution from families. Unanimously

agreed. Request to be distributed with P&C Annual Report.

• P&C Annual Report: still in early stages of drafting (Tennille/Jen).

Aim to have completed and signed off before first week of school

MOUNT OMMANEY SPECIAL SCHOOL

PARENTS AND CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION

2016.

• Karen & Dani reported back on visit to sensitivity unit at Craigslea.

Could set the same up for MOSS Family Fun Day; would also be

fantastic for community awareness days (e.g. Rocks Riverside

community festival).

• Karen suggested that a Welcome morning tea is held for parents in

the first week of school – perhaps the Friday? Further discussions

necessary with Chaplain to avoid doubling up with traditional “Tea &

Tissues” morning tea usually held for new families to coincide with

drop-off on the first day of the school year.

NEXT MEETING: The next P&C meeting has been tentatively scheduled for 6.30pm on

Wednesday 17 February.

MEETING CLOSED: 8.45pm