dalkeith primary parents and citizens association€¦ · dalkeith primary parents and citizens...

Dalkeith Primary Parents and Citizens Association Supporting our School and Representing our Community

c/- 44 Circe Circle Dalkeith WA 6009

www.dalkeithps.wa.edu.au/PC.aspx

The Dalkeith Primary Parents and Citizens Association - ANNUAL REPORT 2012 of 14

Dalkeith Primary

P&C

Annual Report

2012



Contents

2012 P&C Committee......................................................................................................................................... 3

President’s Report.............................................................................................................................................. 4

Financial Report ................................................................................................................................................. 5

Fund Raising ....................................................................................................................................................... 6

Library Upgrade ................................................................................................................................................. 6

Community & School Engagement .................................................................................................................... 7

Communications ................................................................................................................................................ 9

Uniform Shop ................................................................................................................................................... 10

Kindergarten Sub-Committee .......................................................................................................................... 11

School Pool ....................................................................................................................................................... 13

P&C Farewell to Donna Snow .......................................................................................................................... 14



2012 P&C Committee

President ................................................................................ Sarah Wilkins

Vice President ..................................................................... Helen Pedersen

Treasurer ..................................................................................... Lisa Miles

Secretary .................................................................................... Joy Crocker

Kindergarten ............................................................................ Sadie Purser

Fundraising ............................................................................. Sam Watkins

Uniform Shop........................................................................... Jacqui Miller

Grounds ........................................................................................ Ed Farrar

........................................................................................... Hugh McCaffrey

Class Parent Co-ordinator ....................................................... Marina Eftos

Newsletter ............................................................................. Karen Pollard

Pool ....................................................................................... Steve Bennett

Library ....................................................................................... Sandy Davis

School Board Representative ................................................. Penny Knight

School Principal ....................................................................... Donna Snow

General Committee .................................................... Darelle Bilich Mizera

................................................................................................ Kath Whitley

................................................................................................ Daniel Medd

............................................................................................... Julianne Allan

............................................................................................... Michael Allan

........................................................................................ Bridget Robertson

............................................................................................... Jane Anthony

.................................................................................................. Julie Pitcher

................................................................................................ Julene Henry

............................................................................................ Dianne Warner

........................................................................................ Margie Livingston

.................................................................................................. Chris Farrar

...................................................................................................Lucy Antoci

..................................................................................................... Stacy Burr

......................................................................................................... Jo Love

....................................................................................................... Katie Hill

............................................................................................... Thirza Feutrill

............................................................................................. Yvonne Rippey



President’s Report

2012 was a year in which the P&C was able to significantly enhance the social and educational

experiences of the children at Dalkeith Primary School. We were fortunate that a year of significant

fundraising and a very high P&C contribution collection rate allowed us to deliver to the School the

resources requested and many additional items that will have lasting benefits to staff and students.

This report is designed to allow parents, staff, students and interested community members to

understand the P&C’s activities for 2012. I do encourage you to read it in detail. It is very satisfying

to look back on 2012 and reflect on the work we have done. There is no doubt that this has taken a

large amount of time and commitment by not only the P&C committee, but by all class mums,

parents, School staff, generous community members and importantly our children who have more

than pulled their weight on the fundraising front!

In particular:

The P&C funded the Blue Earth and Envision Maths programs, sound systems for the

undercover area and many other educational resources (the 2012 Principal’s grant totalled

$43,350)

The school cookbook was published in anticipation of this year’s 75th anniversary

celebrations

Much loved traditions such as the school discos were continued, and (I hope) new traditions

begun with the Bald Archie’s art awards

The operation of the uniform shop was enhanced with improved ordering processes and

delivery times.

The P&C has continued the campaign for the footpath on Alexander Road to be constructed

between Viking and Beatrice Roads

I would like to make a special mention of the work of Joy Crocker, who leaves the School after 14

years of continuous contributions to our School, not only at the P&C level, but as a class parent and

on the School Council. I do believe Joy is an excellent example for all of us as to the great benefits

that our efforts can bring to our School and local community.

In 2012 we have also farewelled Donna Snow. Donna has been a terrific supporter of P&C activities

and placed a high priority on the communication of the School’s activities and objectives to parents

which was greatly appreciated.



Financial Report

The Financial Report 2012 has been published as a separate document which is considered to be

confidential to the Dalkeith Primary School P&C and will not be available on the school website.

Members of the school community may request to review this report by request to the current

P&C President or Treasurer.

2012 P&C Contributions:

The ongoing high level of support for the activities performed and the contribution to the school by

the P&C was again evident in the high collection rate of contributions and charges for 2012, with

approximately 98% of all fees collected. Student numbers for 2012 were approximately 356.

Kindergarten Subcommittee:

During 2011 the pre-primary centre was integrated on-site to the main school campus. A decision

was made not to continue with an independent P&C committee for the kindergarten and pre-

primary.

From the beginning of 2012 a sub-committee of the P&C is responsible for the direct requirements of

the kindergarten campus and a representative reports to the P&C committee on activities,

fundraising and expenditure.

The relocation of the pre-primary allowed for a significant increase in kindergarten student numbers

with 59 enrolments for 2012.

Grounds and Playgrounds:

With the relocation of the pre-primary onto the main campus, there was a strong focus by the P&C

during 2011 and 2012 to build a new junior playground area, with the majority of funding being from

fundraising by the school community. During 2012, this project was completed and fully paid.

The school grounds were also recipients of P&C funds during the year with work completed in the

senior playground.

P&C Accounts

In order to improve the management of the P&C accounting process, the P&C purchased a

Quickbooks accounting package for use by the Treasurer.



Fund Raising

This year was a significant one in terms of the amount of funds raised by the P&C to fund resources

and improvements for the School. The following are just some of the events via which the P&C

raised funds in 2012:

Two School Discos (Terms 1 and 4). Both discos were well attended and provided a range of

entertainment for parents and children.

Bald Archie’s Art Show. All children at the school were assisted by Janice Tesser (art teacher)

in the preparation of an original piece of art that was then exhibited at a cocktail party and

made available for sale to parents. The art works were sensational and snapped up in no

time. At the cocktail party there was also a live and a silent auction of many art works

donated to the school.

75 Cookbook. The preparation and sale of this cookbook involved an enormous amount of

time and effort by a large number of volunteers. The team co-ordinated recipe collection,

the photographing of children and food, editing and proof reading the various drafts of the

book, organising sponsors, sales and marketing. The end result has been very well received

by everyone who has seen the book and it is certainly a special keepsake for our School’s 75th

anniversary.

Kindy BBQ. The lovely tradition of the Kindy BBQ continued in 2013, enabling the various

Kindy groups to meet and enjoy a sunny Sunday afternoon. A public and silent auction took

place that day to raise funds for the Kindy facility and the new junior playground at the big

School campus.

Various cake stalls and sizzles.

Library Upgrade

Given the allocation of part of the P&C contributions paid by parents to a “library levy”, all funds

were donated by the P&C back to the School for this purpose. Together with these funds the School

also accepted tax-deductible donations for the library via the “library grant”.

In 2012 the School operated a Library Committee to determine objectives for this project and

approve the expenditure of funds. Significantly in 2012 the Committee considered and approved

plans developed by an architect for the internal building works to the library. New shelving was

purchased and significant investment was made in IT systems and hardware for use by staff and

students. The P&C has been actively engaged with the School on this project and will continue to do

so.



Community & School Engagement

Local Schools Events Cooperation

Contacts were established with P&C representatives at Nedlands, Freshwater Bay, Hollywood and

Loreto Primary Schools. The aim was to share ideas and cooperate on a number of events or talks

for parents through the year.

Three talks were held including one organised by Dalkeith Primary:

Raising Happy Siblings, Michael Grose, hosted by Freshwater Bay Primary, 26th March and held in

the MLC Auditorium;

Fed Up With Children’s Behaviour, Sue Dengate,hosted by Dalkeith Primary jointly with the MLC

Community Liaison Association, 19th June. This talk attracted 104 attendees and was held in the

MLC Auditorium. It made a small profit for the Dalkeith P&C. Further information can be found at

www.fedup.com.au. This is an informative website for all food sensitivities.

Protective Behaviours and Personal Safety - Katelyn Betti, hosted by Hollywood Primary 18th

September and held at Loreto Primary.

Through this local schools group the P&C also advertised an invitation to the Loreto Fair and the

Hollywood Under The Stars Movie Night.

Staff Professional Development

The visit by Sue Dengate was recommended to the school as an opportunity to engage Sue to

provide professional development. Sue’s talk to staff resulted in greater awareness of the role of

different foods in behavioural issues in children and this information was incorporated into some

Health class topics including additive awareness.

First Aid Training

The P&C organised first aid training by Steven Lewsen for all interested parents on site. This course

was provided over two nights and was well attended. Steven Lewsen also ordered and delivered first

aid kits and related materials for course participants.

Commissioner for Children and Young People Thinker in Residence Program

The P&C advertised the Commissioner for Children and Young People Thinker in Residence program.

Dr Stuart Shanker presented an information session for parents at St Mary's Anglican Girls' School on

6 June.

Talk Soon Talk Often

The Department of Health published the resource “Talk Soon. Talk Often”, a guide for parents talking

to their kids about sex.

It can be ordered or downloaded at www.public.health.wa.gov.au/2/1276/2/parentcaregiver.pm

http://www.fedup.com.au/

http://www.ccyp.wa.gov.au/content.aspx?cId=580

http://www.public.health.wa.gov.au/2/1276/2/parentcaregiver.pm



Education Awards

In 2012 the P&C advertised for nominations for the Department of Education and Training’s Annual

Education Awards. No nominations were submitted by parents generally. It was determined that no

nominations would be submitted as four nominations were submitted in 2011.

Netball

Prior to the 2012 netball season, the netball posts were altered to allow for new netball rings that

could be adjusted for either junior or senior height. As a result our junior Netta players are now able

to practice shooting for goal at the correct height for their age. In addition new netball bibs were

purchased for the players to use in their weekend competitions.

Alexander Road Footpath

During 2012 we revisited the ongoing campaign by the P&C to canvass the Nedlands Council to

construct a footpath down Alexander Road. There is a two block zone from Viking Rd at St

Lawrence’s Church to Beatrice Rd with no footpath, and this is constantly raised by parents as

impacting safety, amenity and universal access.

A new petition was organised and submitted to Council with 283 signatures, followed by

participation in the Council Technical Services consultation process and street meeting. A

submission was made to Council by the P&C. The issue was raised with local MP Hon. Bill Marmion

and he wrote to the Council on the issue. An article in the Post newspaper featured this issue.

In 2013 prior to the AGM there was a recommendation by Technical Services to construct footpaths

in both Alexander and Beatrice Roads, with Beatrice Rd in this financial year. This recommendation

was upheld by the Council Committee meeting on 12th February 2013. However at the Council

meeting on 26th February 2013 an amendment was put to construct the Alexander Rd footpath first

using the available budget amount this year, and this motion was passed by Council.

City of Nedlands Walk and Cycle Map

A parent raised a concern that this map available from the City of Nedlands website designates the

Dalkeith Primary School Oval as a dog exercise area. The following response was received from

Maria Hulls at the City of Nedlands: “After some investigation I can now reply to your query. It looks

like the Department of Transport formerly (Dept Planning & Infrastructure) have created this map,

and it is not endorsed by the City of Nedlands. They have just included all parks as dog exercise

areas. The City’s Travel smart Coordinator Christie Downie will seek further clarification on this map

and if changes can be made to it to result in more accurate information”.

Gift for John

A thankyou gift was purchased for John the gardener, who regularly assists the P&C in our activites.

Farewell to Principal Donna Snow

A farewell was made to departing Principal Donna Snow with the gift of a painting purchased by the

P&C with contributions from the school community. This farewell is reproduced at the end of the

annual report.



Communications

P&C Website

The P&C website was retained as part of the overall school website and was updated through the

year.

P&C newsletters

P&C newsletters became available electronically on the website.

P&C Brochure

A tri-fold brochure was produced to introduce kindy parents to the P&C. It was planned to extend

this to a school-wide P&C brochure but this has not been undertaken to date.

Media Liaison

Articles were published in The Post Newspaper regarding the Alexander Road footpath and the Fed

Up talk by Sue Dengate.

Logo and Letterhead

A logo was developed for the P&C and a letter format created. Thankyou letters were sent using this

format.

All-School Emails

A change was made to the process for P&C all-school emails. These were directed via the office to

the school mailing list rather than through class parents. This aims to ensure all families receive it

and only once. Sufficient notice is required to ensure these can go through the Principal’s review

process.

Parking

The P&C has provided regular reminders about parking in the P&C newsletter and has placed

guidelines on the P&C section of the website.

Sponsorship

Guidelines on sponsorship became necessary due to the move to Independent School Status and a

change in governance requirements. All external sponsorship opportunities must be approved by

the School Board to ensure that they meet the objectives of the School.

P&C Annual Report

In the interests of good governance, this written annual report has been initiated for the first time

for the 2012 calendar year.



Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop had an incredibly busy year. The commencement of 2012 saw the shop

temporarily relocated to the pre-primary classrooms, followed by another move into the Music

room. Whilst not ideal, this was necessary due to the building and extension works being carried out

to the staff room area of the school.

Easter saw us overseeing a very helpful handyman who transformed the new space into a workable

(yet tiny!) cupboard filled to the ceiling with shelves & hanging areas for all of the uniform

requirements. At the beginning of term 2, we were selling uniforms from our permanent home.

Around this time the School Board made the decision to update the school logo, which all uniforms &

bags needed to be "re-branded". A lot of time was spent with the various suppliers to get the new

logo looking perfect on all items in the uniform range. In theory a simple task, in reality the

opposite. This also had a flow in effect with manufacturing as a lot of uniform items take up to 12

weeks to receive, with the addition of a new logo resulted in major delays for some stock.

A new initiative that was introduced during the year was the order forms which have been

immensely successful. It is a very simple way for parents to receive uniform items if they can't make

it to the shop on a Friday morning. Once filled out, the orders are placed into the letterbox at the

front office & orders are filled & delivered to classrooms a few times a week.

A Uniform Dress Code document was also produced and this is available on the school Internet site

as well as hard copies in the office and at the shop. This document details the various uniforms in a

series of pictures (modelled by some not so happy children!) and is a much simpler way of showing

new parents the different types of uniforms & who wears what on the various days.

Stocktakes are now performed monthly to give us a better idea of stock levels and help minimise the

waiting times on new items. This has proved effective for the majority of the year, although the

continual balance of enough stock for parents requirements is at times frustrating.

In September and October many mornings were spent down at Kindy showing parents the uniform

requirements for the following year. Many orders were placed, with uniforms delivered to the

Kindy. This resulted in 95% of all Kindy children being outfitted for pre-primary in 2013 before

November which resulted in much less 'panic buying' in the last final weeks of school.

At the conclusion of 2012, the shop gave the school P&C a cheque for $15,000 from sale of stock.

This is a tremendous effort and these funds will ultimately benefit our children.

The shop is run by a small group of volunteer mums who give up their own time to work on a Friday

morning plus the various 'behind the scene roles' throughout the week. These jobs include outfitting

new students, filling & delivery of orders, receiving & packing away new stock, monthly stock takes

as well as placing orders with suppliers, following up these orders and banking. A huge thanks to

Jane Anthony, Lindsey Home, Nathalie Vanderstricht and Yessy Rosalia for all their hard work,

cheerful smiles & the laughs. I could not have done it without you! We have all gone slightly crazy

throughout the year (I'm certainly in need of a good therapist), consumed far too much coffee &

sugar, but we'll all be back for 2013.



Kindergarten Sub-Committee

Kindergarten Coordinator ....................................................... Sadie Purser

Assistant Kindergarten Coordinator ........................................... Fiona Doig

Secretary ........................................................................................ Katie Hill

Financial Coordinator ................................................................ Lisa Piggott

Grounds Coordinator .......................................................Angela Phatouros

Activities Coordinators ....................................................... Nicole Jameson

............................................................................................... Mel Braddock

................................................................................................... Kate Bailey

General Committee ........................................................ Elissa Everingham

................................................................................................... Cara Bruno

....................................................................................................... Diem Vo

.................................................................................................. Megan Lam

................................................................................................. Mirza Salleh

............................................................................................... Kathy Surtees

............................................................................................. Susie Growden

......................................................................................... Leonie Neervoort

2012 was a hugely successful year for the Dalkeith Kindergarten. The Kindergarten Committee was

responsible for fundraising and social events, co-ordinating projects to help improve the

Kindergarten and general maintenance and housekeeping. The aim for the year was to ensure that

the Kindergarten continued to be a well-resourced and safe environment for children to learn.

Our major fundraising activity for the year was the annual Welcome Party held in early April. This

event raised over $17,000 thanks to the enormous efforts of the committee and the wonderful

support of the teachers and families. Additional smaller fundraising activities were also coordinated

by committee members during the year including Kindy t-shirt sales, Mother’s Day canvas artwork

and Father’s Day coffee mugs. The Class Reps (Elissa Everingham, Fi Doig and Nicole Jameson)

worked hard keeping families informed and organising social occasions throughout the year.

A major focus for spending in 2013 was on the Kindergarten grounds. The removal of the old cubby

house and installation of a new, much improved one was a major project for the year and resulted in

much excitement for the children. Grounds Co-ordinator Angela Phatouros was tireless in her efforts

around the Kindergarten, leading a very successful Busy Bee in the middle of the year. Grounds

activities completed during the year included re-painting of the toilet area and playground

equipment, oiling of the cubby house, re-planting of garden beds, general improvements to the play

areas, replacement and repair of the shade sails over the sand area and tree lopping.

The committee was also able to provide a new drying rack, book boxes for library books, a laminator,

knife set and many new educational resources and equipment that had been requested by the

teaching staff. New blinds were also installed in the main Kindy room to enhance use of the Smart

board during teaching.



School Grounds and Facilities

Junior Playground

After a long period of planning and fundraising the new junior playground was completed in 2012.

The playground provides a mix of active and educational play elements constructed with largely

natural materials. Due to its popularity the School originally rotated the play times for children

based on year groups. The playground is a wonderful asset for the School and has since been visited

by representatives of the DET and other local schools.

Senior Playground and Existing Equipment

Work was complete in the senior playground including new limestone walls and further synthetic

grass expansion between the climbing frame and sand pit areas. Various repairs were conducted to

existing equipment and fall areas were improved.

School Signage

The P&C funded the concreting works to complete the new School signage wall installed at the

corner of Circe Circle and Adelma Road.

Working Bees

The Grounds Committee organised and managed working bees at the School to attend to grounds

maintenance and bulk rubbish removal.

Lunch Shed and Old Toilet Block

The P&C looked at the viability of relocating the old lunch shed and investigated the requirements

for refurbishing it.

When the school re-roofing proceeded the lunch shed and old toilet block were included in the

works program. The P&C queried the requirement to re-roof these structures.

The majority opinion of the P&C was communicated to the School Board that the old toilet should be

demolished. The P&C also expressed a majority opinion that the lunch shed should be removed to

open up more play area and the northern vista of the school. An alternative to refurbish the lunch

shed was also presented.

The P&C has identified it are not prepared to provide any funding for either of these buildings at this

stage. This issue now rests with the School Board and the Principal.



School Pool

The day to day pool maintenance continues to be administered under the service contract entered

into by the Department with pool maintenance company P.A.D.E. (Paul Dowd), to ensure the pool

water quality is maintained to City of Nedlands Health Department Standards. This work is being

performed satisfactorily by P.A.D.E. under the terms of the contract, which is administered by the

school and funded by the P&C.

The solar pool blanket(s) purchased by the P&C and donated to the school, continue to warm the

previously notoriously ‘cool pool’ water temperatures - endured by the Dalkeith Primary School

students for many years.

Capital expenditure for the pool, which is controlled by the Dept of Education via the Capital

Maintenance Contract with Spotless, remains an area of difficulty and uncertainty with the funding

for on-going pool upgrades and maintenance proving difficult to administer.

Maintenance, when performed under the Spotless Contract, is committed on a reactionary basis,

rather than by a program of maintenance and improvement works to ensure the pool is maintained

in a good working condition in accord with relevant regulations.

Currently maintenance items such as skimmer box lids and baskets, the long outstanding installation

of proper lane ropes, together with numerous capital improvement items recommended by the

Swimming Pool Safety Assessment & Safety Improvement Plan Report dated May 2002, remain

outstanding.

Pool maintenance represents a significant cost to the P&C each year and without the commitment to

necessary capital upgrades for the pool by the Education Department, the future of the pool should

be questioned. Particularly in the likely scenario where the School (now an Independent School) is

requested to assume responsibility for the full cost to maintain and ensure the operation of the pool.

This situation is further exacerbated by the continued increase in student numbers rendering the

pool incapable of catering for the pressures of the annual student swimming program, coupled with

the shallow depth of the pool which prevents diving starts for swimming events.

Senior students have to travel by bus to other venues for the annual swim program, restricting full

use of the pool to junior years and the now on-site pre-primary students.

Recommendation:

An independent cost - benefit analysis should be commissioned by the P&C in consultation with the

School Board to form the basis of discussions with the Dept, regarding the future of the Dalkeith

Primary School Swimming Pool.



P&C Farewell to Donna Snow

It is my pleasure this afternoon to represent the P&C and the wider school community in proposing a

vote of sincere thanks and a fond farewell to our Principal, Donna Snow. Congratulations also,

Donna, on your new role.

Over the last six years Donna has been a true leader at Dalkeith Primary. She has built a positive

culture that will endure long after she has gone. I’m going to mention some of the things that have

particularly caught my notice over the last couple of years.

Donna has worked hard to set the school up for Independent School status. The Independent School

model requires a high level of governance and Donna has worked alongside the school community to

make this happen. The advantages that come with Independent status also come with the

responsibilities of good business operation, a long term vision and strategic planning, and Donna has

demonstrated an exceptionally high ability to tackle these challenges.

The importance that Donna places on building up the expertise of those around her is evident in the

teamwork, skills and camaraderie visible in the staff. Donna has implemented the distributive

leadership model, delegating effectively and following through with support for her staff. She takes

leadership theory and puts it into practice in enabling people to work together, providing a model of

the Blue Earth program in action.

Donna’s expectations are high and she inspires others to aim high too. The early introduction of the

Australian Curriculum at Dalkeith has given our kids every opportunity to excel. There is a school-

wide sense of purpose and clear expectations.

Donna places a high level of importance on pastoral care – the personal, social and emotional

wellbeing of students. She knows every student and she takes an interest in every student. I’m pretty

sure she’s got most of the parents pegged pretty well too!

Donna is very good at building ties with the community. She has worked cooperatively and

enthusiastically with the P&C, providing transparent accountability for the money we work so hard to

raise for the school. We know where and why the money is spent and she consults with the P&C and

others to ensure we are all working towards the same goals.

Last but not least are Donna’s enthusiasm, sense of fun and sometimes wicked sense of humour.

Donna has been working hard to ensure the school programs are set up for the next year to allow the

new Principal to have a smooth transition. Along with Penny Knight, Donna has been on the selection

panel for the new Principal and we know that Donna’s valuable insights into our school and our

community will enable her to influence this selection to give us the best possible candidate.

Donna, I hope we have given you some things to take away too, you will certainly be taking with you

the friendship and respect of our community here, and we wish you all the best. We have a token of

our appreciation to give you – remember good things come in small packages but awesome things

come in big ones!

Thank you so much for all you have done for us.

dalkeith primary parents and citizens association€¦ · dalkeith primary parents and citizens...

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