Dear Parents and Carers,

The Parents and Friends Association and School Board are currently trialling a Community Council forum. This forum is the merging of both groups to try and streamline the process of decision making that the school community is involved in. Community councils work very effectively in many schools and has a decision-making role in certain policy areas and an advisory role in others. Previously, the P&F raised money for school equipment, ran the canteen, helped at school events, (among many other things), while the Board’s role was to assist the principal and teachers to make and advise on some decision-making processes.  

The Community Council will combine both aspects of these groups to ensure a more efficient process while still being transparent.  

Some of the aims of the new Community Council will include:  

• Fundraising for school equipment that cannot be covered by the budget,
• Overseeing the canteen,  
• Assist the school on budget making decisions, 
• Have input into school policies and procedures, 
• Include smaller sub-committees that can meet outside of the scheduled meetings and report back to the Community Council when necessary.  

While we are still in a trial phase to see if this model will suit St Mary’s, if it goes to plan,  it will be officially introduced at the start of 2023 to replace the School Board and P&F Association.  

Informal chats in the school playground and beyond demonstrates that our school community has so many fabulous ideas that could be implemented and as the saying goes, ‘Many hands make light work’. We would like to invite any members of our school community to attend these meetings to gain a better understanding of our aims and to have your input into how we can improve our already wonderful school. 

The next Community Council meeting will be held on Wednesday the 26th October at 5pm in the teacher’s staff room. Please email Amy Pursehouse at amypursehouse@outlook.com.au if you wish to attend so we can add you to the mailing list in case of late changes.  

Sincerely,