Parents and Friends Association (P & F)

The St Paul’s College P & F Association held its AGM on 13 March, filling all executive positions except for the Treasurer. We invite anyone who has been considering contributing to the P & F and may be interested in this position to contact the College office. The outgoing Treasurer has offered support during the transition period to the new Treasurer.

The P & F meet on the second Monday of each month (this is usually two or three times a Term), with our next meeting taking place on Monday 8 May at 5:30pm.

The P &F Association looks forward to seeing new faces at the next meeting.

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P & F Survey
Parent representative bodies such as P&Fs and Parent Forums are important ways for schools and families to work together for the good of the whole school community.

All schools in the Diocese of Lismore are being encouraged to adopt one of two approved models for parent representation in our schools over the next 2 years.

The St Paul’s P&F Association has decided to explore which model would suit our school community best and would like to give all parents and carers the opportunity to offer their opinion. A brief description of the two models follows. After you have read through the two options available please provide your opinion about the model that you believe would best suit our school community in the short survey that follows.

Two Models for Parent Representative Bodies
Option One: The School Community Forum
This is the formal model of a parent representative body and has executive positions e.g., Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary to which parents/carers are elected. This model has a constitution that governs its operations and as it is a legal entity, it can be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission and can hold a bank account for fundraising. This group is responsible for the financial accountability of any fundraising money held in this bank account.

Option Two: The School Community Group
This is the informal model of a parent representative body and has NO executive positions. This model has a handbook that helps guide proper meeting procedures and topics for discussion. This group would not be able to register with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commision and could not hold a bank account for fundraising money.

Understanding the Similarities and Differences
Similarities

  • The purpose of both groups is to support the mission of the Catholic school, strengthen family school partnerships and parent connection, be welcoming and inclusive and provide good communication to the whole parent community about the parent body initiatives.
  • Both groups will invite the parish priest and a parish representative to be a part of the group to strengthen ties between parish and school.
  • The meeting agendas for both groups will include prayer and faith formation and an educational component that will provide attendees with insights and information about a wide range of school and parenting topics.
  • Both models will hold open meetings so that any parent/carer can attend at any time.
  • Both models will publish an agenda prior to the meeting and topics that are not listed on the agenda cannot be raised in either the informal or formal settings.
  • Both models have a code of conduct that attendees must agree to abide by.

Differences

  • Only the School Community Forum (SCF) can have a bank account. The School Community Groupl model may still assist the school in fundraising initiatives the school decides to pursue, but fundraising is not the central focus of the group’s efforts.
  • The SCF must elect parents/carers to executive roles such as chairperson etc. School Community Groups decide if they would prefer to identify one person to act as a chairperson for a year or rotate the role of chairing the meeting each Term. The chairperson’s main tasks are to help the principal set the agenda for the meeting and ensure the meeting guidelines are followed. Similarly, a note taker can be nominated for the year or rotated each meeting to keep a brief record of the content of the meeting.
  • The formal model must abide by the constitution and strictly follow:
    - meeting protocols regarding how motions are moved and seconded;
    - the financial accountabilities associated with having a bank account in the parent body’s name;
    - the presentation of reports including financial reports.
  • The informal model has an agenda to follow but discussions can be more relaxed and there is no need to move and second motions or have any financial accountabilities.

If you would like to learn more you can read a more detailed explanation HERE.

Your Opinion Matters
Please click HERE to answer a short 2 question survey.