Message from the CEO

At the P&C Federation we are always focused on the bigger picture, ensuring that every school community has a fair chance to thrive. This week a conversation with a representative from School Infrastructure NSW reaffirmed just how important that work is, and how much opportunity there is to make a difference.

They shared their desire to fund more Community Building Partnership (CBP) projects in Schools for Specific Purposes (SSPs), schools that provide highly specialised support to students with complex needs. These are schools doing extraordinary work, often with limited resources. Yet many are missing out on funding because of one simple, structural barrier: government funding can’t go directly to government schools. It needs to flow through an independent body, like a P&C Association.

The reality is that forming a P&C Association can be especially difficult in SSPs, where families are already stretched supporting children with high and competing needs. Without the capacity to get a P&C off the ground, many of these schools are effectively locked out of funding that could significantly improve the environment for their students.

This is exactly the kind of challenge we exist to solve. We’re not just here to support well-established Associations, we’re here to help create the conditions that allow all parents and carers to engage with their school communities – even where that’s hardest.

That’s why we’re working to make it easier to start a P&C Association. We’re removing unnecessary red tape and offering practical, step-by-step support. If your school doesn’t currently have a P&C Association but is interested in forming one, particularly if you’re in an SSP, we encourage you to reach out.

Our goal is simple – to remove barriers so that every school community, including SSPs, can access the support they deserve.

Gemma Quinn, CEO