Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School Board Chair Report Monday 25 November 2013 Good evening and welcome fellow parents, teachers and Father Paul to our annual Community Meeting for 2013. A special welcome to new parents to our school who may be attending our Community Meeting for the first time. It has been my privilege to serve as your School Board Chairperson of our wonderful school again in 2013, which will also be my last year on the School Board. In tonight s report I wish to provide the Community with an update on the schools financial position and our progress on Quality Catholic Schooling (QCS), together with a brief review of staffing appointments. I do wish to conclude this evening by acknowledging and recognising the contributions made by a number of community members. School Finances I am pleased to report that OLMC continues to be in a strong financial position following the completion of significant upgrades to capital works which includes the completion of our new hall and more recently the installation of air-conditioners to classrooms and the to the rear of our hall during 2013. In the first half of the year a major upgrade of the electricity supply to the school was completed which was essential to ensure the school continued to maintain a safe and reliable environment for both teachers and children. The Board was delighted to have a very competent and capable bursar, namely Kathy Sargent, who promptly and accurately was able to provide all the financial information required for the Board to make informed decisions. In her first year as Treasurer, Fiona Ryan, worked with Kathy and together, were a great team. Fiona will shortly be presenting an overview of our financial standing, together with the approved increase in school fees for 2014. The Board has agreed with the CEO recommended increase, notwithstanding the fact that prudent and careful management of the schools financial position will continue to be a high priority of the Board moving forward. At previous Community Meetings, I discussed the Gonski Report and the impact it may have on our school fees moving forward. Given the recent change in Federal Governments, it is very
unlikely that Gonski in its current format will proceed. We will need to wait to see if the current government puts forward any alternative model. Continuous Improvement / Quality Catholic Schooling (QCS) OLMC has always been regarded as a school which is progressive and always looking to improve in all facets of our children s education, whether it be spiritually, academically or socially. In 2013, it is pleasing to see our teaching community continue its journey of implementing three modules of the Quality Catholic Schooling (QCS) program. We are now just over half way through the program. I extend many thanks to Rosemary Paparella for her dedication and commitment to progressing and leading this work not only within our school, but also for her continued work with the Catholic Education Office (CEO). During 2013, the Board also received the results of the Insight Survey and were pleased with the positive responses, not only of parents but more importantly, our students, who continue to feel a high level of morale and connectedness to the school. Our role, whether as educator, parent or guardian, needs to be cognisant of the continued pressures facing our children and the importance for us is to continually build confidence and resilience in our children. Having a positive attitude and high level of morale is certainly a good starting point for us to build upon. Staffing In 2012 we appointed our new Principal, Kevin Duffy to our school and were delighted to have him start with us in 2013. Kevin has brought many new ideas and initiatives to our school, together with a high degree of passion and enthusiasm. His commitment and professionalism to moving OLMC forward is very evident. On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Kevin for all his efforts and hard work in his first 12 months at OLMC. Kevin has had a big year, having transitioned his family, including four children, from Narrogin to Perth; finishing and then moving into his new home and then starting in a new role! Over the second half of 2013, I had the opportunity to be part of the interviewing panel responsible for appointment OLMC s new Assistant Principals. This was by no means an easy task, but one which I found particularly rewarding. I am very pleased that we were able to secure Julie Kay and Jason Tyrrell as our new Assistant Principals, commencing in 2014. Both Julie and Jason bring some unique and extraordinary talents and I trust that the school community, as it has always done, will embrace them next year and appreciate their skills and attributes that they will bring to OLMC.
I would now like to acknowledge some of the contributions made by special people and groups in 2013: OLMC Parish / Father Paul Over the course of 2013, our school has continued its journey of building a faith centred catholic school. Our teaching staff and Father Paul have been instrumental in preparing our children for receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion and celebrating Community Masses. Our thanks extend to Father Paul for continuing to work with our school to enrich our children lives and for the programs that have been initiated within the church which includes Kingdom Kids. P&F Committee In 2013 our P&F Executive and wider community, including class room reps, helpers and contributors have once again worked tirelessly to co-ordinate many fundraising activities that provide the school with the opportunity to purchase valuable resources for our children. We are very blessed to have people with such dedication at our school. We are grateful for the financial contribution made by the P&F, but more importantly for the sense of belonging and community spirit which is fostered by bringing people together and working for a common cause. In particular, the Board wishes to acknowledge and thank the contribution made of the immediate Past President Matt Buggins who has led a very capable and committed team over the last two years. Matt is a much loved and respected member of our community as he can always be counted on to assist and help out in whatever capacity. We also extend our congratulations to the incoming P&F Executive on your appointment this evening and we look forward to your contribution in the years ahead. Teachers We are blessed to have a very dedicated, passionate and professional group of teachers at OLMC. As parents, each year we entrust our teachers to enrich our children s lives both academically, spiritually and also physically. I know that this is difficult task which at times can be seen as thankless and never ending. On behalf of the Board we thank you for your dedication and commitment and for the tireless hours spent both inside and outside the classroom. I would like to extend a special thankyou to those staff leaving OLMC Nora, Amy, Lisa, Emily and Louise. I hope that you have enjoyed your time at OLMC and that your journey ahead is a safe and happy one.
I would like to acknowledge Kathy Sargent who is looking to retire. Kathy has been a critical part of this school and has ensured that our finances and budgets are up to date and in line. We wish you well in your retirement and thank you for all your efforts, particularly in assisting our incoming Treasurer this year, Fiona Ryan. On behalf of the Board, I would also like to thank our Assistant Principal Rosemary Paparella who is leaving us this year. Rosemary has been a dedicated and passionate teacher over the last three years and has also worked at the CEO on the QCS project. Rosemary has been an integral part of our Leadership Team, having initially worked with Tania T and Anne Aquino and this year with Kevin. Rosemary has provided our school with many talents inside and outside the classroom. Of note is Rosemary s work last year when she produced OLMC s first musical being ABBA. This was an extraordinary night which saw the culmination of many months of hard work. We thank Rosemary for her efforts not only in this production, but over the last three years and of course we will always remember her leading the OLMC teachers onto stage singing Waterloo!! Rosemary, would you please come forward to accept a gift on behalf of the Board. School Board Finally, I would like to thank the Board for their contribution throughout 2013, giving up their time and providing Kevin and me with their expertise and views to ensure OLMC continues to be regarded a strong and well-functioning school. I would like to present the board members with a small gift to show our appreciation for their efforts over the last 12 months. Can you please come forward: Fiona Ryan - Treasurer, Matt Buggins - P&F Representative, Megan Metz - Parish Representative, Maria Cadzow Committee Member Aaron Crees - Committee Member Jason Gavranic - Committee Member Father Paul Parish Priest, Kevin Duffy - Principal In particular, I would like to acknowledge Trevor Servass who will be leaving our Board after 6 years, having served initially as a Committee Member and more recently, as Secretary for 2013. Trevor has been a valued member and I thank him for his council and insight. Trevor can you please come forward to accept a gift from the Board.
Changes to the Board Composition As mentioned earlier, I will be standing down as Chairman of the Board this evening. In order to ensure a smooth transition into 2014, at its September Board meeting, the Board approved several appointments to positions in 2014 that I would like to communicate this evening. I am pleased to advise that Jason Gavranic has been appointed the OLMC Board Chair and that Megan Metz has been appointed Secretary. Fiona Ryan will continue in her role as Treasurer. I am also delighted to advise that Matt Buggins will also be joining the Board in a non-executive capacity. Maria Cadzow, Aaron Crees, Father Paul and Kevin Duffy will also continue as Board Committee Members and will be joined by a P&F Executive Member. I congratulate all our new office holders and entrust that you will continue to serve our school community with passion and care, knowing that our children must continue to be at the centre of all our decision making. Finally, I do wish to thank my wife, Tanya and my children for their support over the last six years. I wish you all a very safe and happy Christmas with all your love ones. Mario Pisano OLMC School Chair