Federation of Parents and Citizens' Associations of New South Wales

Annual Conference

When and where is it?
P&C Federation's next Annual Conference is 26, 27 & 28 July 2013 at Bankstown Sports Club, 8 Greenfield Parade BANKSTOWN NSW 2200.

Friday 26 July 2013
Business Session 1
Registration open at 12:00pm
Conference opens at 1:00pm and continues until 5:30pm

Saturday 27 July 2013
Business Session 2
Registration open at 9:00am
Session open at 10:00am and continues until 12:30pm

Lunch 12:30pm - 1:45pm - lunch is not provided to delegates however the Club has a number of eateries situated in the Piazza
                                           with a shopping precinct situated directly outside of the Club.

Business Session 3
Registration open at 1:20pm
Session opens at 2:00pm and continues until 4:30pm


Business Session 4
Registration opens at 5:30pm
Session opens at 6:00pm and continues until 9:30pm


Sunday 28 July 2013
Business Session 5
Registration opens at 8:30am
Session opens at 9:30am and continues until 11:30am at which time Annual Conference closes.


What happens at Annual Conference?
Agenda items for Annual Conference are contributed by P&C associations and P&C Federation's Council. Associations need to take this opportunity to have any issues they see as important to public education in any way, such as curriculum, transport to school, the state of school buildings, etc, addressed at a state level. The agenda items will be debated at conference and the determined items will become part of P&C Federation's position papers.

P&C Federation's position papers are used to determine how P&C Federation represents its affiliates in discussions with politicians and departmental officers, at the committees on which P&C Federation is represented, and with all media interaction. On the receipt of the minutes of the Annual Conference, the successful agenda items will be printed in the next handbook.

P&C Federation's Annual General Meeting is held at Annual Conference, giving delegates from across the state the opportunity to decide who will represent them as Officers of P&C Federation. As well, a number of speakers and workshops are offered to share information relevant to public education.

Who goes?
At their annual general meeting, P&C associations which are affiliated with P&C Federation are encouraged to nominate up to three delegates to represent the association at Annual Conference. Delegates must be financial members who meet the eligibility criteria of the affiliate Association's Constitution. These delegates will receive the appropriate papers for the conference, including the Agenda. Associations are to collectively go through the Agenda and advise their delegates how they should vote on those issues which are important to their particular school community.

Annual Conference paperwork
2013 Annual Conference Intention to Attend & Code of Conduct

2013 Guide for Associations  

2013 Annual Awards Criteria 


P&C FEDERATION 2012 ANNUAL CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS

It was resolved unanimously that Pat Clarke be recommended by the State Council to Annual Conference 2012 for acceptance as a P&C Federation Life Member.

It was resolved unanimously that Len Lambert be recommended by the State Council to Annual Conference 2012 acceptance as a P&C Federation Life Member.

It was resolved that P&C Federation pursue with the New South Wales government the installation of seat belts in all school buses with the first priority the completion of this task in all school buses running in Country/Regional New South Wales. Noting that buses for these fleets in the main come from the “retirement” of buses from metropolitan fleets, that the following issues also be taken to government; all new school buses to be capable of being retrofitted with seat belts, and the averaging of the age of a bus fleet currently calculated over the total fleet in NSW be altered to separately calculate this for the fleets in Metropolitan Areas and those in Regional areas.

It was resolved that P&C Federation immediately demand from the Department of Education and Communities a change of policy determining the amount of hours allocated for the employment of a general assistant and other school support staff, to reflect the work needs of each school. Should the DEC decide that a school’s needs have decreased, a school year’s grace should be allowed to enable the school to adapt to the reduced hours or allow for an appeal to be lodged for reinstatement of these hours.

It was resolved that P&C Federation discuss with the Education Minister the current level of funding for student assistance which is considered to be inadequate and in need of review, and that the age for students to be eligible for assistance be raised to 18.

It was resolved that P&C Federation liaise with the Local Government Association of New South Wales (councils/shires) to eliminate the pool entry fee associated with learn to swim programs conducted through public schools.

It was resolved that the NSW Minister for Education immediately addresses unflued gas heaters in state schools with a plan delivered outlining the replacement of all unflued gas heaters as a government priority.

It was resolved that P&C Federation obtain a report from the Minister for Education on the progress of amendments to the NSW Education Act regarding school relocations and amalgamations that was resolved at Annual Conference 2011.

It was resolved that P&C Federation provide the current document addressing the Record of Student Attainment (ROSA) to all affiliates and councilors.

It was resolved that P&C Federation petition the Minister for Human Services to recognise the hours that volunteers contribute in schools as part of the requirements towards all government allowances.

It was resolved that P&C Federation by-law 4(d) reads:
(i) Annual Conference may by resolution fill such casual vacancies as may arise. Officers so elected shall retire at the Annual Conference at which the original incumbent would have retired.
(ii) Council may be resolution fill, on an interim basis, such casual vacancies as may arise. Officers so elected shall retire at the next Annual Conference.

It was resolved that P&C Federation provide a detailed report to all councilors and affiliates on the actions being taken to address the recommendations raised by the Roden Report within the next 3 months and regularly ongoing.

It was resolved that P&C Federation reiterate the membership requirements of the Education Act 1990 and advise affiliates and school Principals of this statement and that determination of membership is the responsibility of each P&C Association which reflects the autonomy of local P&Cs.

It was resolved that P&C Federation finalise and publish the updated Canteen Management Manual.

It was resolved that P&C Federation dedicates additional resources to support affiliates in matters concerning canteens.

It was resolved that P&C Federation prepare a communication to all affiliates that provides clear, accurate information regarding the employment conditions for P&C canteen employees and  provide accurate information with links to Fair Work Australia and the Fair Work Ombudsmen regarding the employment conditions for P&C Canteen Employees.

It was resolved that the P&C Federation calls for the introduction of state government policy that requires all public schools to implement a comprehensive sun protection policy that reflects current evidence, in order to reduce children’s lifetime risk of skin cancer.

It was resolved that the P&C Federation lobby the NSW Minister for Education and the Department of Education and Communities to introduce the policy, and nominate a member of Council of the P&C Federation to liaise with Cancer Council NSW for this purpose.

It was resolved that Priestly and Morris Chartered Accounts be appointed as the auditors for next year.

 

It was resolved that all unfinished business be referred to Council for consideration.

 

It was resolved that the P&C Federation staff recruitment process include a vetting process to address potential conflict of interest and that independent background checks are carried out on all staff.

It was resolved that P&C Federation staff recruitment and personnel policies be made available to affiliates.

 

It was resolved that P&C Federation adopts in principle the recommendations of the Roden Report and present at Annual Conference 2013 a detailed report providing recommendation for changes to the structure and operation of P&C Federation.

 

It was resolved that Annual Conference 2013 considers Council’s recommendations for changes to the P&C Federation Constitution and By-Laws for the adoption of the Roden Report recommendations and that 2014 continues to be a constitutional year.

It was resolved that P&C Federation should consult with DEC to have measures put in place for Principals, who may be struggling with the additional workload associated with the implementation of LSLD, to gain assistance, without incurring disadvantage (monetary or professional).

 

It was resolved that the P&C Federation ask relevant ministers responsible for volunteering to explore ways of shielding volunteers from legal actions similar to the “Good Samaritan” provisions protecting ordinary citizens from legal action when rendering assistance.

 

It was resolved that the incoming Council be advised to pursue as a matter of urgency the safety of child travel on buses. In particular to demand that no buses be brought into the fleets concerned after 2013 unless they are equipped with securely fastened seat belts.

 

It was resolved unanimously and with acclamation that AC12 call on the Federal Government to legislate the Gonski recommendations.

 

It was resolved that P&C Federation ensures that Councillors provide feedback at every opportunity to the development of the National Curriculum.

 

It was resolved that the P&C Federation conduct a state (and if possible a national) online survey to quantify the Additional Learning Support Needs in our school community. Given recent changes in service and funding models for children with special needs, there is an imperative to quantify this community. An online survey provides a low cost, efficient means of obtaining this.

 

It was resolved that Conference support the Marrickville West P&C petition opposing the funding cuts under the “Every Student, Every School” policy and circulate it to all P&Cs asking them to participate.

 

It was resolved that all unfinished general business items tabled to the secretariat at annual conference, be referred to Council for consideration.