At Council’s General Meeting in May, parents had many questions on the use of ILPs in our public schools. The Education Directorate's Jean Walker has provided some answers.

Crystal Cox: New Council Executive member & Gowrie Primary P&C Volunteer

Jayne Trustum - New Council Executive member & Neville Bonner Primary P&C Secretary

The Education Directorate is taking a new approach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education, as the Directorate’s Patrick Chapman explains.

A whole-school camp out on school grounds — complete with toasting marshmallows on an open fire — sounds like loads of fun and a great way to bring the school community together. It also sounds like an organisational headache! Bonnie Rappola, Council Delegate for Southern Cross Early Childhood School, explains how they made it work.

In May, one school volunteer was celebrated as a true friend of public education.

We are pleased to announce the merger of the Canberra Preschool Society with Council, giving us — together — a renewed focus on early childhood education, and greater resources to support and advocate for parents of Canberra’s youngest kids.

During the last ACT P&C council meeting some people were asking who our school uses for Bookpacks.

We at  school of 620 students have been using http://www.maximofficegroup.com.au/ for the past few years and they have been great.

The P&C fund the initial order cost towards the end of the year, but put out an invoice/payment request to parents in forth term to request payment to the P&C through 'flexischools' before the end of term for next years bookpacks.

The stationary is kept at school in the classrooms all year with the teachers allocating what they need. 

At the end of the year the teachers share out what is left over to the kids to take home, which is usually very little. any books etc they just keep over until the next year.

With this request for payment we explain what the arrangement is and that the kids are getting a better package doing bulk ordering and through the P&C rather than kids bringing random items in or the school ordering through the whole of government supplier.

This system has worked well in our community and the teachers have expressed how easy it has been that every child has access to the same items and there is no arguing/fights about people stealing items, as they are class use.

Hope this helps other schools have the same experience.

PPA = Preschool Parents Association

We are privileged in the ACT to have access to free, high quality, preschool services. The ACT Education & Training Directorate promotes preschool education and provides a wealth of information about preschools' via its web site: Preschool Matters.

Details regarding all preschool services, enrolments and grants can be found at this site.

www.preschoolmatters.act.gov.au

Preschool Parent Associations

Our Preschool members have very proud and strong parent connections as they choose to participate as a Preschool Parents Association.
A Preschool Parent Association will generally consist of the following:

• President
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Fundraising Officer
• General Members

As an incorporated association these committed parents support their preschools to be strong community hubs within their school. At the heart of these groups is the strong belief that as contributing parents they can add value to their preschool and the preschool community. As PPA’s change from year to year the focus of these groups often changes and evolves according to the individual preschools’ needs.

A PPA will generally meet once or twice a term and in co-operation with their preschool educator will orgainse BBQ’s, Working Bees, fundraising activities to allow the parent group to make purchases that directly benefit the preschool and social activities.

The benefits of these groups is tricky to measure. Through a shared interest in your child’s preschool you are connecting with parents whom you may not have otherwise meet. This has the potential to create networks and friends with a similar focus – your pre-school aged child. These connections can continue throughout school and well into adult life. Preschools are the perfect entry point for both the child and adult to what comes next ie “big school”

Did you know that when preschools were first established in Canberra the parents fundraised and provided ALL of the play materials?

The government provided the building, staff and some basics and the PPA’s did the rest. That’s an incredible achievement over many, many years. CPS conducted an inventory audit on all its preschool and playschool members in 2014. Collectively over 24 preschools and 6 playschools our PPAs have approximately $ 450,000 worth of books alone! All contributed by conscientious parents over many years.

PPA’s provide a purposeful way to involve yourself in your child’s preschool. Jump in and join the parent team at your preschool! Your children will love seeing you be part of their preschool life.

About Preschool

Preschool is a non-compulsory part-time program.  Children attend for up to 15 hours per week, arranged in alternating weeks of three days and two days or else in programs of 2½ days per week. Preschools in general offer a play-based educational program, developing children’ skills in readiness for school. The evidence is clear that the skills developed in this important year lay healthy foundations for future learners.

How does a 15 hour fortnight work?

An Example of a 15 hour Preschool Fortnight

Preschool Gallery

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