The Parents and Friends Association (P&F) is the collective voice of parents and other carers in our school community, working with one common interest: the benefit, welfare and education of our children at Stella Maris. This is achieved in the following ways...
Support the community at Stella Maris
- Class Parent Coordinator to assist staff and
parents
- Being informed about and having a say in
local community issues - eg letters, petitions, guest speakers at meetings
- Prize donations for students – sport,
academic, cultural, spiritual
- Contribution to Community Support Programs of
the School
- Fund projects on a small scale for Year
6 Leadership Activities.
Provide Leadership of the P&F Membership & School Community
- Maintain relevant and current P&F Constitution
- Voice relevant parent concerns
- Conduct Parent forums to survey attitudes
- Conduct Parent surveys
- Establish and publish priorities
- Provide Annual Budget of Expenditure
- Demonstrate Policies and Procedures to ensure financial accountability
and transparency
- Strategic (5 year) Plan in line with School Strategic Plan
- Published Calendar of P&F Events
- Creating Sub-committees to delegate responsibilities
How are decisions made?
The P&F is a
democratic organisation. Most decisions are made by the vote of membership at
monthly meetings. An agenda is published prior to each meeting so that members
are aware of the issues to be discussed and decided. The elected Executive
Committee Members decide some minor expenditure and urgent issues, where it's
not practical to take these issues to a meeting. The Principal ultimately has
the final say.
P and F Meetings
Regular meetings of
the general membership are held on the second Tuesday of each month during
school terms. This means there are usually 8 meetings per year. An agenda for
the meeting, including where and when, is sent with or in the weekly
newsletter. Any items may be submitted by email to the secretary by the
Thursday preceding the meeting. Most meetings begin at 6.30 pm. Meetings
are usually very informal. The Annual General Meeting is held on the 2nd
Tuesday in November. The annual budget is usually discussed and agreed at the
second meeting of the year.
Other ways to get involved
Even though it's more difficult for parents to attend evening meetings,
if you have something to say about an issue on the meeting agenda, you can
write a brief letter or send an email, which will be tabled at the meeting and
recorded in the minutes. Letters should be addressed to the Secretary P&F,
via the school office.
Other ways to get involved are -
- Participating in social activities;
- Helping out at a P&F function;
- Volunteering in the classroom, at tuck shop, or on sports days;
- Talking to other parents to share ideas and opinions.
Class Parent Coordinator Role
An important way
you can get involved
without necessarily coming to meetings is by acting as a class
parent coordinator for your
child's class. This person is a link between the school and that class, keeping
people informed and helping people get to know each other. If you think you can
help, talk to the class teacher. A role description is available.
