WGHS PC May Newsletter - Willoughby Girls High School

WGHS P&C Newsletter
wghspandc@gmail.com
Music
May 2015
(P&C Meeting 19th May 2015)
Principal’s Report
 The new School Plan is on the school website. This is a 3 year plan from
2015-2017, but it is part of a 15 year plan. It is the first time the school has
done this broad plan under this new model (which is consistent across
NSW). It is intentionally broad. The next step is to articulate the milestones
for this year. The 2014 Annual School Report is also on the school website.
http://www.wghs.nsw.edu.au/achievements/school-plan/
 15 students from Suganami High School in Japan are coming for one week
in 21-28 August. The school will be looking for host families closer to the
date - Naoko Konichi, WGHS Japanese teacher is coordinating details.
 WGHS and WPS Overcrowding: Some parents and members of the
executive met with the department on 18th May. Our schools are on the
list for significant works and there is a commitment for building. This is
very early in the process of going through a master-planning phase
involving collecting a list of considerations that the schools want factored
in. Towards the end of 2015 there will be a clearer picture of what the
works will entail, but it is likely to be a lengthy process over several years.
MyClubMate has been customised
to suit the Music Committees and
has been simple to use and very
helpful. We are still looking for a
Treasurer and Secretary – next
year there will be 3 more open
positions which will make the
program untenable without more
parent volunteers stepping in.
At the end of 2015 the committee
is looking to run a regional tour in
the last week of Term 3 to
Tamworth for students in years 710.
P&C Committee – Roles and meeting attendance
The P&C are looking for a new secretary as our present secretary cannot
continue the role due to work and family commitments. In addition the
committee is seeking an additional Vice President.
General discussion was had around P&C meetings, their value and attendance.
Meetings are an informal open forum style which is open and non confronting –
you can come and listen, or contribute and ask questions. They can be a very
valuable way to join the discussion and learn more about what’s going on in the
school and community, as well as a good way of connecting with other parents
through the school years.
It was decided that meetings should be held at 7pm from now on to encourage
attendance and an earlier finish time. Some comments from parents regarding
meeting attendance follow:
“I have a busy life with many commitments, and did not feel that I was engaged
with my daughter's education. Attending an evening meeting once a month
seemed an easy way to do this. Since attending, learning about what is
happening in the school, and finding other ways to be involved keeps me coming
back - as well as getting to know some of the other wonderful parents from the
school.”
Jazz Ensemble perform at Chatswood
RSL
Congratulations to the Senior Choir
and Chamber Ensembles for their
fabulous performances at the
Anzac Day service at St Stephens
church. Also to the Chamber, Jazz
and Senior Wind Ensembles for
qualifying through to the
Chatswood RSL School Ensemble
competition finals, which were
held at Chatswood High School on
16th May.
“I attend the P&C to get an understanding of the operation and rhythm of the
school administration beyond what we receive in the newsletters and to offer
my assistance where I think I can make a difference.”
P&C Committee Positions
Executive Committee
“I am interested in the school's future vision, and found that the meeting was a
great way to keep informed, as well as getting different perspectives from
parents with girls in other years. I also feel that the meeting gives parents a
chance to contribute to decision making regarding the school and how current
funds are being allocated. I also think it is very important to show my daughter
that I am interested in her school and value what she is doing there, so going
along gives her a good example of this.”
“I joined to initially to learn about the school and how it operates, then stayed
so I could keep up to date with what was happening and hear what the principal
has to say. It's also a good way to meet other parents. “
“I want to contribute to my daughters’ school,
and for me, being part of the P&C is my way of
giving back to the school. I find the principal’s
update each month to be incredibly valuable to
hear first-hand and be able to ask questions and
give my opinion.”
Principal and Senior Prefects at
the St Stephens Anzac Day Service
 President: William Pape
williampape@gmail.com
 Vice-President: Clayton Spence
 Vice-President: Vacant
 Secretary: Vacant
wghspandc@gmail.com
 Treasurer: Geraldine Mack
Sub-Committee Office Bearers
Communications: Liz Foster
liz@lizfoster.com.au
Music: Feroni Suhood
musicwghs@gmail.com
Vacant Positions:
 Treasurer
 Secretary
P&C Sports Club News
Touch Football:
Corinne Lodewijks
wghs.touchfooty@gmail.com
WGHS Netball Report
Netball: Vicki Jones
vidajo@optusnet.com.au
All 21 WGHS teams are positioned comfortably on the ladders. In 2014 NSNA
decided to regrade teams mid season and we anticipate the same in 2015. So
at the close of round 7 games we will expect some of our teams to be affected
by this and thus our positioning will also alter.
Our Coaches, Umpires and Team Managers have settled into their respective
roles. Most teams require only 2 parents to volunteer, unfortunately a couple
of teams occasionally need to supply 4 volunteers. Every Club in the
associations must perform grounds duty, there are no exceptions. It is
imperative parents come forward and volunteer for these minor roles for only a
little over an hour of their time only once per season.
We continue to look forward to another successful season.
Vicki Jones, Convenor Netball Sub-committee
Basketball: Vacant
Hockey: John Kopsiaftis;
john.kopsiaftis@intrec.com.au
Grounds: Katrina Ellis
katrina_l_ellis@optusnet.com.au
Grants: Corinne Lodewijks
Corinne Lodewijks
summerfield1@optusnet.com.au
Uniform Shop: Ania Bokina
abokina26@gmail.com
WGHS Hockey
Training: Mondays, 3.30pm – 5.00pm, school oval
The season has started well for both the new Junior and Senior teams. Training
and matches with our new coach Xanthe Dwyer are going well. The Juniors
scored their first goal of the season last week whilst the seniors have had a
couple of unlucky losses. All girls are encouraged to come to training to help
learn skills with our new coach and also inspire younger girls.
John Kopsiaftis, WGHS Hockey Convenor
Basketball Committee Report
The U19 team has had 3 forfeits in a row as the other teams have year 12 girls
unlikely to play next semester as study and life commitments make it hard to
play. A second year 7 team will register next season, along with two year 8
teams and a year 10 team.
Geraldine Mack & William Pape
WGHS P&C Grounds Committee
Cooler weather has slowed activity in the grounds. Willoughby Council can
provide free mulch and the delivery date will be coordinated with the school.
The next weeding bee is on Sunday June 21 9am - 10am corner Mowbray Rd
and Keary St – all welcome.
Grants Committee Report
The grants committee requested the School’s ideal ‘wishlist’ so that it can
target the right grants to apply for. Solar panels are one item.
Contact wghspandc@gmail.com or the club convener if you have any enquiries
about P&C executive or club contacts or are interested in volunteering for a
sub-committee role.
Dates
June 8th: Public Holiday
June 16th: P&C Meeting, Staff room,
7pm
June 21st 9am – Weeding Bee