FSSC mins 01_11_08.pdf - Fort Street High School

Minutes of School Council Meeting
Wednesday 5 November 2008
Fortian Room 6.00pm
1. Welcome and Apologies
Bruce Sutton
Ros Moxham
Moya Quirk
Kirsten Ockendon
Janice Eastment
Laura Paton
Carlo Antonioli
Fenn Idle
Don Newby
Gilbert Whitton
Charlotte Taylor
Jules Davies
Chair
Principal
Staff Representative
Staff Representative
Staff Representative
P&C Representative
Student Representative
Student Representative
Fortian Union and Foundation Representative
Parent Representative
Parent Representative
Executive Officer
Apologies from Tom Hubble.
2. Confirmation of Previous Minutes
The minutes of the 13 August 2008 meeting were accepted.
3. Business Arising
Business was dealt with as per the agenda.
4. Correspondence
The School Council has received a letter from Anthony Albanese regarding the
insulation of the school, which Jules read. As the letter is quite unspecific the
Council agreed that we should write again asking for more details of the timing
and the liaison for future correspondence.
5. School Council Constitution EGM update
It was agreed that the EGM should be scheduled for 5 December 2008, prior to
the ordinary school council meeting. Jules will arrange for the notice and agenda
to be distributed.
6. Website Update
Preliminary internet training has given to various representatives of the school
community including the P&C, IMP and Jules representing the Foundation and
School council. It is hoped that the new website will be running by the end of the
year.
7. School Council involvement in ongoing evaluation cycles
Janice reported as a continuation from the last meeting regarding the School
Council’s involvement to ensure that the evaluation cycle continues and isn’t an
isolated occurrence. Janice suggested that it would be a good thing to have the
School Council as an overarching body supporting the ongoing evaluation of the
school, as the school has not been good at formal evaluations. Ros added that

this would include formal evaluations to ensure that the school has achieved
what it has set out to achieve.
Bruce proposed that the School Council believes formal evaluation of the
academic and whole school program is desirable for ongoing quality
improvement and ask that the Principal provide information for that evaluation.
This proposal was seconded by Moya and approved unanimously.
Bruce continued that it is important to concentrate on what underpins outcomes
rather than on the outcomes themselves. The emphasis should be on the
processes with continuous quality improvement programs.
As clarification Bruce gave the example when looking at strategic goals that the
questions could be, where do you think you are now? Where do you want to be
in 10 years time? Is everything aligned to make the improvements need to
achieve this goal?
Kirsten asked if we are talking about the School Council having input into the
formulation of the plan and Janice replied that the School Council already does.
Ros added that DET has an expectation of evaluation but no formal procedure..
Janice also added that there is an expectation in the strategic plan that the
school reports with actual data rather than with approximations.
8. School Strategic Plan Update
Janice reported that there is a process in place where staff are divided into 5
teams looking at 5 areas:
Valuing, supporting & developing staff
Student social and emotional wellbeing
Connected classrooms (technology)
Student engagement
Literacy
All staff are involved and are in the process of writing strategies, timelines and
indicators. There will be a draft available before the next School council meeting
for discussion.
9. School Council representative vacancies
Jules asked for clarification as to who was leaving the School Council at the end
of this year. Bruce Sutton and Gilbert Whitton will both be leaving as will Kirsten
Ockendon and Moya Quirk.
Tanya Anhtuan will be joining the School Council as a new parent representative
and Charlotte Taylor has agreed to renew her tenure. Jules is waiting to hear
whether Tom will renew his tenure or if we need to advertise for another parent
representative.
The SRC have been elected and Fenn Idle is welcomed as a new SRC
representative in place of Umeya.
All other Council representatives will remain the same.
10. Principal’s report
Ros reported that she had spent 3 weeks in Germany with 21 students and 3
teachers. The trip was a big success.
The SRC elections have taken place with a new SRC President, Max Newman.
Jenny Tran, who has had great success studying the TAFE accounting course
has been asked to appear in a promo for vocational education.
The year 8 debating team won the Premier’s debating challenge.

There will be a special assembly on 21 November attended by Michael Kirby,
guests from 1955 and a reunion group from 1958. This will also be the SRC
induction ceremony.
4 students’ work has been selected by the HSC Art examiners to appear in
Artexpress.
The HSC finishes this week with the School Certificate starting on Monday.
The new Deputy Principal, Christine Kemp, ahs started and has settled in well.
Greg Osland is retiring as HT TAS and the position has been advertised. Ros
asked that the School Council write a letter of thanks to Greg for service to the
school.
Louise Finnigan is leaving as HT Administration to move to Ashfield. This
position will be advertised.
2 science students are going to attend the National Youth Science Forum
summer school.
11. Other Reports
P&C Report
Laura reported that the canteen administration is overcoming some small
problems. There was a reasonably good response to the survey and the canteen
are keen to act.
The new uniform manager is going well.
The P&C are considering not having a year 7 picnic next year and asks if any
parents have strong view that they contact the P&C. This is because the picnic is
not that well attended and not fulfilling its purpose as a parent event. Instead
parents will be encouraged to attend the first P&C meeting, which coincides with
the year 7 dance.
Student Report
Carlo reported that the SRC are now working towards the Christmas dance.
Attendance was low last year and they are hoping for a better turn out this year.
The SRC are trying to link this event with a visit from our sister school in Japan.
Fortians Union Report
Don reported that the Fortians Union dinner was cancelled due to lack of
numbers. The Faber Est also has not been published this year and Don
expressed concern over the direction that the Union is headed.
Foundation Report
The Foundation is still waiting for quotes to start a sports fund.
The new Foundation brochure is almost ready.
Jules will be taking over the database clean up.
Jules and Ros met with John Young from 1969 to discuss plans for reunion
events over the next year.
A reunion group from 1958 will be visiting on 21 November and will attend the
assembly.
12. Other Business
Moya informed the Council that year 9 have been putting together a petition as
they want water sports at camp. Ros replied that it is now DET policy that if

there are planned water sport activities being offered the school has to nonswimmers
through to strong swimmers, and we do not have the facilities to
assess that skill level. Ros did ask the staff at the facility where the year 9 camp
will be if they can do that assessment, but they are unwilling to accept that
responsibility. Consequently, water sports cannot be included.
Ros also officially thanked Bruce for his many years of service to the school and
asked that he attend the Speech Day 2009 when he will be formally thanked.
13. Next Council meeting Wednesday 3 December 2008