About the P&C

Introduction

Our P&C is a group of interested people that work to bring the school and the TPS community together to support the quality education of our children.

Turramurra Public School Parents & Citizens Association (P&C) meets once a term in the Library. Check the newsletter for exact dates.

Parent volunteers are elected to act as an Executive Committee; however the real strength of the P&C comes from the ideas, effort and energy of all the parents who make up the membership.

The P&C’s objectives are to:

• Promote the interests of the school by fostering close co-operation between parents, the community and the school;

• Provide facilities and equipment for the school; and

• Promote the recreation and welfare of the students.

The achievement of these objectives is underpinned by fundraising throughout the year. Various events and activities are coordinated by the P&C and run by volunteers.

Membership

Membership of the P&C is open to everyone – parents, caregivers, grandparents, teachers, and the broader community. To join, simply attend a P&C meeting and pay a membership fee ($1). Your membership is effective from the following meeting. Click here for more details

Meetings

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend P&C meetings. The meetings are informal, friendly and a great way to find out what is happening at school. No one is pressured to do anything at meetings - feel free to just sit and listen. If you not able to attend a meeting but would like to know what was discussed, you can read the minutes on the TPS website.

About P&C meetings:

• They are held in the staffroom, at least once a term.

• They are minuted, with minutes posted online.

• The Principal is a permanent P&C member who attends and presents a short report.

• Sub-Committees report briefly on their activity.

• The Executive Committee meets prior to General Meetings.

• Matters discussed generally include the activities and support the P&C will provide for the school.

• Decisions about spending P&C funds are voted on (only members can vote)

What do we do with the funds we raise for the school?

The P&C raises money to finance a range of projects and programs and is subject to rules as to how money is raised, applied and accounted for. These rules are contained in the Constitution and the School Manual on Financial Management.

Requests for expenditure are considered based on their support of the School’s objectives. Over time  strategic planning exercises have been undertaken to determine the focus of projects over the short, medium and long term. This involved:

• Wide consultation with the school community;

• Assessment of project viability and cost;

• Prioritisation of viable projects (based on P&C member and school demand).

Here are just some of the initiatives funded in recent years by the P&C:

• New PA systems for the  three School Colas - $9k

• New PA System for the School Hall - $15k

• New Gazebos 

• New home readers for K-2 to reflect the new Syllabus.

• New laptops and charging stations for classrooms -$30k.

• New playground equipment at a cost of $23k.

• Upgrades and renovations at a cost of $56k which included:

  • Classroom refurbishment.

  • Improved access for prams and wheelchairs.

• Improved rubbish bin system at a cost of $900.

• Multipurpose court at a cost of $40k.

• Interactive whiteboards in all 20 classrooms at a cost of $8k each.

• Outdoor tables and benches at a cost of $6k.

• Kiss and Drop Shelter at a cost of $8k.

• Air-conditioning for classrooms at a cost of $3k per room.

The P & C Voluntary Contribution

The current Government contribution to the school of approx. $60 per child per year does not cover the support needed to ensure the best education possible for our children. Parents are therefore asked to help close the gap through the voluntary P&C Contribution. This is the main source of income for the P&C (used for a range of projects as voted for by members). A request is sent home early each school year explaining how these contributions are used.

Class Parents

At the start of each year, two volunteers from each class take the role of Class Parents. Class Parents act as liaison between teachers and parents and help to ensure the smooth running of events at the school.

Events

Every year, the P&C oversees the running of a wide variety of events at TPS. Some events are fundraisers, others are designed to bring the TPS community together and some aim to achieve both of these goals! 

Each year group (eg Year 4) is assigned an event (or events), with the parents of the students in the year group responsible for organisation. The Class Parents play an important coordination role.

In a typical year, events include:

• Grandparents’ Day

• Election Day or other fundraising

• Mothers’ Day and Father Day Stalls

• Social events such as Moonlight Cinema, Welcome BBQs, as well as Trivia and Bingo Nights

• Year 6 Farewell

Questions and Comments

Your questions and comments are always welcome. There are several ways to contact the P&C:

• Leave a note in the P&C box at the office

• Come to a P&C meeting

• The P&C Feedback Form

• Send an email to info@tps-pandc.org.au 

• Message us on our Facebook Page

Volunteering

Parent volunteers are always needed and there are myriad ways of helping out. You may:

• contribute your expertise in a particular field;

• be able to spare some time to help organise or run an event (even if it just an hour on the BBQ);

• have some good ideas to share;

• provide a donation in cash or in kind

We always are looking for volunteers also to help out in the Canteen and the Uniform Shop - you can easily sign up for a shift that suits you here:

Canteen Helpers

Uniform Shop Helpers

You will find participating at TPS to be rewarding and fun. It’s great to be able to express support for your child’s education by being actively involved and actually seeing the results of your effort.

Keep an eye on the school newsletter for requests for volunteers, contact the P&C, or come along to a meeting.