Parents and Citizens Association

MANLY SELECTIVE CAMPUS- PARENTS & CITIZENS ASSOCIATION

President’s Report - Annual General Meeting – 27thNovember 2013

2013 has been another great year for our school – the students, staff, parents and community. Sounds a bit glib to say, but that makes it no less true. As families we are very fortunate that our children have the opportunity to attend such a great school.

For the P&C this year it has, happily, been much of the same – much progress on a number of projects in the grounds, a healthy, popular canteen, the uniform store, the range of regular functions we organise and support throughout the year and countless hours of volunteering by a huge range of people to make it all work so well. Of course the band has also continued to go from strength to strength.

Each of these areas has their own report for the year, so I won’t go repeating all the detail here. This is more an opportunity to pay tribute to all the efforts of the many and to thank everyone for their continued support.On a daily basis, people contribute their time and experience in countless activities around the school. Together with the annual P&C family contributions this substantial support for our students, their teachers and the school is enormously valued and appreciated.

A highlight for this year has been the opportunity to get to know and work with our new Principal, Mr Tony Rudd. It is clear the school is in good hands and the close working relationship with the school and executive is much valued by us all.

In brief this year the P&C has continued its regular support of many school activities:

  • Numerous improvement projects in the grounds, including ongoing engagement of Northside Enterprises to maintain the bushland.
  • Financial support for High Resolves.
  • Grants through the P&C Excellence Fund which supports students representing the school at State and National levels in any area
  • Maintaining contact with past students through the alumni committee. Welcome Ben Mills as a member of the committee this year.
  • Providing input and support on Library, Technology and Finance Committees.
  • Running a second hand uniform store.
  • Our superb Canteen.
  • Key student/parent events like the Yr 7 welcome, Yr 12 farewell, Orientation day morning tea and School Open Day. The school does a great job in welcoming and celebrating our students through their school experience, but it is important that we also connect with the parents and bring them into the community.
  • Over and above all this parents give their time to represent the school on college advisory groups, regional P&C forums, staff selection panels and the student entry selection process.

Once again it is important to acknowledge the contribution of those who have moved on this year:

  • Nicola Elliott has been a tireless Secretary for the P&C (and the band) and we have all appreciated her calm efficiency and common sense. Thank you to Angela Aguam for stepping up to take over next year.
  • Peter Jeremy has also been on the P&C committee for many years and his input, especially on technology matters, has been really valuable. Vivek Rao has kindly agreed to take over the reins here.
  • I mentioned Kathy Leviton was leaving last year, and she has finally handed over the role of parent events coordinator (such as the Yr 7 welcome and Yr 12 farewell) to Anne Chiu, Anna Gowan and Jen Webster. Thank you Kathy.
  • The canteen has also seen a few changes. Emma Burgess has fulfilled the really important job of canteen coordinator so well over the past few years. The canteen is such a central piece of the school life and Emma, the team of volunteers and the staff have made it a great success. Thanks to Deborah Miller for taking over. Paul Nuttall is taking over from Schwei Ballico as treasurer and Barbara Chalk from Donna Tivey looking after wages.

In addition, we are also saying farewell to Meg Tulk. Meg’s extraordinary contribution as Deputy Principal will, I am sure, be acknowledged many times before the end of the year, but I would like to add a huge thank you on behalf of the P&C as well. We will miss Meg’s wise input.

Finally, as always, it is important to make two further acknowledgments.

First to all the staff in the school who support the P&C activities in many ways andthe school Executive for the effort and energy put into informing, guiding and facilitating the work of the P&C. The perennially helpful Judy Boylan is also an invaluable supporter and much appreciated.

Second, the members of the P&C Exec who fulfil vital roles in making sure this all happens without too much mishap and that the responsibilities of the P&C are met. Thank you to them all.

As our children mature into the more pointy end of their school careers we have many reasons to be thankful they are at Manly. Looking forward to 2014.....

All the best,

Bill Hawkins

P&C President

138 Abbott Road, North Curl Curl NSW 2099