Message from the CEO

As the peak body for nearly 2,000 P&C Associations across NSW, we hear from a wide spectrum of parents and carers every day. Each Association represents a unique school community, with its own mix of priorities, challenges and successes. Understandably, the communications we receive reflect this diversity.

Parents get in touch with us for many reasons – to seek advice and support, to request our advocacy on matters of public education or for their individual P&C, to access resources (available by logging in through our website), or even to order merchandise celebrating life members and office bearers. Some enquiries come from experienced members grappling with complex situations, while others are from new volunteers keen to learn and grow in their role.

We are more aware than most just how important the parent voices is. We have seen in recent weeks how initiatives can falter when parents are not properly consulted. The Federal NDIS “Thriving Kids” announcement, for example, has faced criticism in the last two days for overlooking parent perspectives, while the OOSH sector has been challenged in cases where strong parental influence has been absent. These high profile examples underline the value of what our Associations bring – parents shaping services in schools and ensuring their voices carry weight in broader policy discussions.

Communication with you is central to that work. This bulletin itself is one of the ways we keep Associations informed, alongside our quarterly journal, website and social media presence. We strive to bring you updates on current news, events, grants, and opportunities. But communication is a two-way exchange, and we rely on you just as much as you rely on us. That is why we run an annual membership and advocacy survey, and why we seek specific feedback from time to time, such as the quick survey below now on our P&C Q&A webinars.

I am pleased to share a new way for you to shape our work. We have created a dedicated page where P&Cs can submit advocacy topics at any time. This is more than a survey or a one-off consultation, it’s a standing channel for you to put forward the issues that matter most in your community. Whether it’s a policy concern, a funding gap, or an emerging challenge you believe requires attention, this new form ensures your voice can directly inform our priorities.

This also means you can contribute to shaping our advocacy agenda year-round, ensuring that when we speak on behalf of P&Cs, we are driven by the experiences and concerns of parents across NSW. I encourage you to use this new tool, and help us ensure that parental voices remain front and centre where they belong.

Gemma Quinn
CEO, P&C Federation of NSW