Minutes of School Council Meeting - Fort Street High School
Minutes of School Council Meeting - Fort Street High School
Minutes of School Council Meeting - Fort Street High School
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<strong>Minutes</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>Council</strong> <strong>Meeting</strong><br />
Wednesday 2 February 2011<br />
W1 6.00pm<br />
1. Welcome and Apologies<br />
Tom Hubble<br />
Ros Moxham<br />
David Osland<br />
Janice Eastment<br />
Connor Pearce<br />
John Melville<br />
Don Newby<br />
Charlotte Taylor<br />
Kathy Esson<br />
Jules Davies<br />
Chair<br />
Principal<br />
Staff Representative<br />
Staff Representative<br />
Student Representative<br />
P&C Representative<br />
<strong>Fort</strong>ians Union and Foundation Representative<br />
Parent Representative<br />
Parent Representative<br />
Executive Officer<br />
Apologies were received from Tanya Anthuan and Carol Li.<br />
2. Confirmation <strong>of</strong> Previous <strong>Minutes</strong><br />
The minutes from December were confirmed.<br />
3. Correspondence<br />
Tom has forwarded the letter to Verity Firth but given that the state election is<br />
next month we may need to follow this up in April.<br />
4. Aircraft Noise Update<br />
David reported that the air conditioning work is progressing well. The <strong>Council</strong><br />
met in W1 so we could experience one <strong>of</strong> the almost complete rooms. Teachers<br />
in W1-3, the lower art room and the learning centre have been very comfortable<br />
in this week’s heat. David pointed out the new features in the room including the<br />
window seals, double glazing and blinds. The door has been replaced and the<br />
non opening windows have thicker glass. There is still some mechanical work<br />
that is visible in the rooms. Wilkins will be completed by the middle <strong>of</strong> term 2.<br />
The builders will start asking us to take 3-4 rooms <strong>of</strong>fline at a time starting in<br />
about two weeks time. This is so they can complete the mechanics and paint.<br />
David commented that he was concerned at the end <strong>of</strong> January that there was<br />
considerable mess, but before term started the rooms have been pr<strong>of</strong>essionally<br />
cleaned and the outside areas have been cleared up. The <strong>Council</strong> felt it would<br />
be appropriate to write a letter to the foreman to thank them for their hard work in<br />
January.<br />
The Hall is not yet finished but is a functional space and looks pretty good. The<br />
library has had the air conditioning installed but it was not working well today.<br />
Kathy asked if there was a plan to refurbish the rooms when the work was<br />
finished. David and Ros replied that there is no money allocated for that so no.<br />
David continued that there will not be any internal work in Kilgour until the work in<br />
Wilkins is complete, however they did replace the south section <strong>of</strong> the Kilgour<br />
ro<strong>of</strong> in the holidays in preparation for the external air conditioning units.<br />
There has also been a lot <strong>of</strong> infrastructure work on electricity.
Ros added that the 4 old staff studies that were refurbished have now had air<br />
conditioning installed.<br />
All work is due to be finished by July 2012.<br />
5. Budget and Finance 2011<br />
David circulated a document showing an overview <strong>of</strong> the budget for 2011. This<br />
year we haven’t had to reduce anyone’s budget. David also circulated the<br />
Annual Financial Statement. The Annual Financial Statement for 2010 showed<br />
that we carried over a higher balance than in 2009, showing a figure <strong>of</strong> $993K at<br />
the end <strong>of</strong> November 2010, but out <strong>of</strong> that only $254Kwas actually available to<br />
spend on school projects. All the other funds were tied in trusts, unpaid orders<br />
and invoices, casual salaries etc.<br />
During the holidays the phone system crashed when the electricity was turned <strong>of</strong>f<br />
and couldn’t be revived, which incurred extra cost. The cost <strong>of</strong> the electricity<br />
usage has increased dramatically, even before the cost <strong>of</strong> air conditioning. We<br />
need the DET to increase the global budget to cover this cost. At the moment<br />
there is a $63K allocation for semester 1, which is nowhere close to the actual<br />
cost. Ros added that the electricity usage did not decrease in the holidays as it<br />
usually does, and this has to be checked, but it could be because the builders<br />
were working throughout the holidays.<br />
6. <strong>Fort</strong>ian Alumni Wall criteria update<br />
John Melville has compiled a list <strong>of</strong> judicial <strong>Fort</strong>ians. Jules will get an electronic<br />
copy <strong>of</strong> the original alumni list and circulate to the <strong>Council</strong> and this item will be<br />
revisited at the next meeting.<br />
Don will also get a copy <strong>of</strong> the list <strong>of</strong> <strong>Fort</strong>ians who have served.<br />
Kathy has <strong>of</strong>fered to take medicine as her category.<br />
7. Non <strong>Fort</strong>ian medal update<br />
We do not yet have the medals to present. However, the <strong>Council</strong> agreed that it<br />
would be good to announce the intention to present the medals at Speech Day.<br />
The <strong>Council</strong> would like to present medals to people involved with the aircraft<br />
noise project including Bruce Sutton and Nyin Cameron. The <strong>Council</strong> would also<br />
like to present one posthumously to Michael Browne. Tom will phone the family<br />
to see if they agree.<br />
8. Principal’s Report<br />
David Osland reported that Ros had been seconded as <strong>School</strong> Education<br />
Director for the term and David is relieving as Principal. Penny Starr is relieving<br />
Deputy Principal for years 8, 10 and 12.<br />
Dr Strauss is HT Welfare/Teaching for term 1. Dr Griffin left at the end <strong>of</strong> last<br />
term and Janice is now HT Admin. Janice will also oversee science until this<br />
vacancy is filled. Mr Gaal is HT PDHPE. Ms Forsyth has returned from extended<br />
leave. Ms Macdonald is on leave this semester and Ms Leotta is filling this<br />
position. Ms McGown has accepted a position at UNSW and Ms Ryan is now full<br />
time in the Learning Centre. Ms Chipps is covering for Ms Harper while Ms<br />
Harper is studying in Salzburg. Mr Cox continues to fill in for Ms Schubert who is<br />
on maternity leave.<br />
We have new staff this term. Mr Grant joins the TAS faculty, Mr Hall joins<br />
Science, Ms Blake in CAPA and History.
Staff will be disrupted as the works continue but the message to them has been<br />
to concentrate on the teaching and learning programs and let us deal with the<br />
works.<br />
Dux for 2010 was Ellen Moore who was also the recipient <strong>of</strong> the Order <strong>of</strong><br />
Australia Youth Commendation. Equal second place was William Wang and<br />
Robert Pattinson. 25 students received Premiers All Rounder Awards with 10<br />
units over 90, and a further 8 students achieved 9 units over 90. In the <strong>School</strong><br />
Certificate 34 students achieved grade A and 21 students were on either 88% or<br />
89%. Mercurius carries a full description <strong>of</strong> student achievements.<br />
The year 8 debating team took part in a residential course at Sydney University in<br />
the holidays. They also won the State debating title.<br />
Two students were nominated for HSC Encore and two students have had their<br />
nominated visual arts work accepted into HSC ArtExpress.<br />
We are waiting for more information from the 2010 year 12s re their ATAR results<br />
as we only receive their HSC results. We would like the ATAR results so we can<br />
acknowledge the correct people at Speech Day.<br />
David finished with the news that the swimming carnival will be held at Ashfield<br />
Pool next Monday and year 7s will be tested before their orientation.<br />
9. Other reports<br />
P&C Report<br />
John M reported that the P&C has not yet met but will meet next Monday. There<br />
is a new parent night next Wednesday.<br />
Student Report<br />
There was a meeting today, mostly concerning the rose drive. Selling for this<br />
starts tomorrow. The year 7s have a trivia night on Wednesday. Ros asked if<br />
there was anything planned for new students from other years. Connor replied<br />
that the focus is on year 7. There has been an idea put forward for an inter<br />
school dance with Hunters Hill. Ros informed the <strong>Council</strong> that the reason this<br />
hasn’t been done before is that it is a huge responsibility for the staff who<br />
supervise. There are <strong>of</strong>ten uninvited guests and bad behaviour. David agreed<br />
that this would be discouraged. Ros pointed out that from a staff welfare point <strong>of</strong><br />
view it would not be supported.<br />
<strong>Fort</strong>ians Union Report<br />
Don reported that the <strong>Fort</strong>ians Union had not met.<br />
Foundation Report<br />
The Foundation meets in March.<br />
10. Other business<br />
Ros added that during the holidays the copper downpipes had been stolen.<br />
Also the regional assets manager has asked FSHS to suggest areas that need to<br />
be fixed, ie concrete cancer, toilets etc. Ros asked that if the <strong>Council</strong> has any<br />
ideas then please forward them to David.<br />
11. Next <strong>Council</strong> meeting Wednesday 2 March 2011