Aug 2010 minutes - Fort Street High School

Fort Street High School
Parents and Citizens Association
Minutes of meeting Wednesday 4 August 2010
Chair:
Minutes:
Present:
Ian Reid (President)
Kathy Esson (Co-Secretary)
Roslyn Bell, John Bell, Junko Koguchi, Sunny Gao, Mythili Nagan
Thiran, Chris Balomatis, Dorothy Bassil, Shankar Sripathi, Hung
Nguyen, Thu Vo, Shashi Baranwal, Nadia Savige, Eithne Stack,
Donnie You, Jimmie Yap, Helen Ryan, Cathy Cas, Jung Hwa Lee,
Catherine Wong, Henry Leung, Binj Wang, Anne Vess, Finola Carey,
Youn Hyland, Aylin Dulagil, Rama Ayappah, Nicole Yang, Linda Wong,
Amy He, Phil Cornell, Ying Zhang, Alicia Zih, Wendy Thornthwaite,
Doreen Stevens, Zong Wang, Tanya Majzoub, Amanda Simon, Glynis
Jones, Krishna, Darshana, Olga Voukidis, Aziz Rahman, Richard White
School staff: Christine Kemp (Deputy Principal)
Apologies: Ros Moxham, Tang O’Grady, Floro Quibuyen
Study Skills Presentation
The meeting commenced at 6:00 pm, with Prue Salter of Enhanced Learning
Educational Services presenting a study skills seminar for parents/carers. This was
an extremely useful presentation which introduced parents to how they can help their
students achieve improved study habits and results, and provided resources
including websites and books that can assist students in Year 12.
1. Minutes The Minutes of the meeting of 9 June 2010 were accepted.
2. Principal’s Monthly Report
The Deputy Principal, Chris Kemp, gave the report for the Principal.
Briefly:
‣ The school welcomed Tony Thirwill AO, CEO of the Heart Foundation, who
was Principal for a Day at Fort St. Tony is an ex Fortian.
‣ The Year 12 trials are starting, with language exams for the HSC commencing
on 7 August.
‣ Seven trees have been removed from the Fountain Quad due to safety (they
were infested with fungal disease), and five new trees – Manchurian Pears -
will be planted in their place. Mr Carritt was thanked for his horticultural
advice.
‣ Four new teaching spaces have been created in Kilgour, with furniture still to
come. Thanks to parents who contributed to the refurbishment through the
Fort St Foundation Building Fund.
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‣ The Aircraft Noise abatement program is continuing with the school hall
expected to be finished for the HSC exams. Work in the hall is taking place on
weekends and evenings.
‣ There was a problem with the Year 10 laptops, many of which had to be
recalled.
‣ Congratulations are due to: Andrew Brodzelli, Zhongwei Wang and Zhongyi
Wang from Year 11, who won prizes in the Price Waterhouse Coopers
Economics Competition; Jason Trang, a medallist in the computing skills
competition; Yanni Gu, of Year 7, who won a prize in an online study skills
competition; two gold and one silver award to IMP ensembles in the NSW
Band Championships; and the Sax Quartet who played tonight.
‣ Ms Louise Holloway, physics teacher, has left Fort St to give birth to her
second child. She has been replaced by Ms Sally Bray.
‣ Ms Kate McGown has left for 2010 to work at UNSW in student services; she
will return to work in the Learning Centre in 2011. Mr Gibbs has replaced Mr
Solk in science.
‣ The school development day for Term 3 focused on the Aboriginal Education
Policy and literacy.
‣ In terms of school excursions, Fort St is preparing for a chequeless
environment; payments for excursions cannot be taken after the due date.
‣ A wireless connectivity point was stolen late in Term 2 at a cost of $2,000.
‣ Some students have been maligning others on a social networking site known
as Formspring. Inappropriate behaviour on the net is taken very seriously by
the school and can lead to suspension.
‣ Students are expected to wear school uniform at all times while at school. The
Uniform Committee will be asked to investigate whether a warm, shower proof
jacket can be added to the winter uniform.
‣ Subject selection for students in Years 10, 11 and 8 will take place this term.
Students may appeal a decision not to be accepted into extension classes,
and will be given time to improve their performance.
‣ The school will host an open evening on August 19 to showcase the school to
prospective students and parents.
‣ Teacher John Ockwell and student Elizabeth Hunt received awards for
outstanding achievement in the Sydney Region awards.
3. President’s Report – Ian Reid
‣ Jane Bell has kindly volunteered to coordinate the uniform shop.
‣ The canteen has done well with a 40% increase in sales last term.
‣ The P&C Executive has approved payment of funds for the Year 12
graduation cake, and for the picnic organised for students of Fort St’s
Japanese sister school, Suginami Sogo.
‣ The P&C has also contributed $1,500 to support Fort St’s Mock Trial team,
which won the State competition last year and is going to compete
internationally in Korea.
‣ The Travel Raffle will be drawn at the Trivia Night on Saturday 11 September.
We need people to help set up and pack up, plus donations. Details and a
booking form are available in Mercurius.
‣ The Treasurer’s report is attached.
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