PARENTS AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION

Changing times

While the engagement of more works/grounds/facilities staff and the funding role of the College Foundation have altered some of the more traditional areas for parental input at the College, the response of the parent body to requests for assistance with targeted activities continues without hesitation and with great enthusiasm.

Become Involved

An essential component of the Marist ethos is parental involvement. Marist College Ashgrove is a shining example of that ethos at work.

By becoming involved in any of the below areas of parental activity at the College we can all contribute to the fulfillment of the P & F Association aims and objectives

• To foster the welfare and progress of the College community
• To seek to create a close and harmonious relationship between all members of the College community
• To promote Catholic Education and, to that end, to enter public discussion on matters affecting it and to affiliate with any organisation formed to promote it
• To raise funds and apply them for the purpose of furthering all of our aims and objectives
• To assist the Brothers whenever and wherever and however it is possible in the interests of the College and its pupils.

SUB COMMITTEES

Parents are already actively involved in the following areas as convenors and volunteers. Convenors are appointed by the P & F Executive and activities are confined to Term time.

The Parents and Friends Association is organised into a number of sub-committees:

• Amity: This group is responsible for hospitality and social functions, particularly the Year dinners, Years 5-11, and College social functions as arranged from time to time. This group also assists with Mother/Son and Father/Son Masses held once a year.
• Development: This committee organizes working bees on the College property on a needs basis and in conjunction with the Development Officer.
• Boarder Liaison: This group assists boarding parents where necessary and co-ordinates afternoon tea on a regular basis for boarding students
• Boys Issues: Works with College staff to arrange Father and Son sport afternoons, assists with the Bullying surveys, meets regularly to discuss boys' issues with College staff
• Sports Canteen: This group plans and executes the canteen for Saturday home games in the John Eales grandstand. On some Saturdays the canteen operates as well from the Des Connor Park canteen. Other parents assist with the volleyball and basketball canteen in the Gymnasium. at the College in cooperation with the College Development Officer)
• Political Action: One parent is nominated to work actively in political and Catholic education circles particularly in relation to funding of Catholic schools. Other interested parents are always welcome to join this group.
• Walkathon Committee: This group is charged with the preparation and execution of the annual College Walkathon.
• Card Day Committee: This group organizes the Card Days for parents and their guests in the Cyprian Pavilion on a regular basis.
• Curriculum Committee: Two parents are nominated by the P & F to serve on this College committee.
• College Canteen: A Convenor employed by the College actively seeks the support of volunteer mothers and fathers to assist with the daily canteen requirements of the students.

other Parents & friends interests

. School Fees Raffle is organized by the P & F Treasurer each year
. Learning Enrichment Tutors: volunteer parents in this group are asked to contact the Co- ordinator of the Learning Enrichment Centre

umbrella

The Parents & Friends Association co-ordinates and reviews all the above activities.
Responding to this changing environment and acknowledging the usefulness and immediacy which the College website offers in terms of keeping parents updated, P & F general meetings have been reduced to once a term and will deal with topical matters and issues.

CONTACT

To participate in the P & F, please come along to a meeting once a term or phone the College Office to obtain contacts for the Association.

GREETINGS FROM YOUR P&F - 2007!

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves and explain the new format for P&F meetings that will be introduced this year. Unlike P&F Associations in many schools, our primary focus is NOT fundraising.

Committee members

The Executive of the P&F for 2007-2008 is:

PRESIDENT
Debbie Moloney

VICE-PRESIDENTS
Greg Eddy and Tracey Alba

SECRETARY
Kate Knynenburg

ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Currently vacant

TREASURER
Laurie Carwardine

AMITY
Bernie Reddaway/Karen Ryan

BOARDERS LIAISON
Debbie Russo/Robyn Young

BOYS’ ISSUES
Donna Brittan

CARD DAYS
Linda Dunn/Shelly Notting

CURRICULUM
Currently vacant

DEVELOPMENT
Tano Di Mauro

POLITICAL ACTION
Greg Eddy

SPORTS CANTEEN
Kate Knynenburg/Carol Bendall

Submissions of agenda items for discussion are welcome. These need to be submitted to the offices of either the Junior or Senior School, marked as "Secretary P&F", or emailed to dmoloney@tpg.com.au, within the week prior to the meeting date.

 

MEETINGS

Parents and Friends meetings are held at 7.00pm on the second Monday of the first month of each term in the Br Cyprian pavilion , with the exception being in term 3 when the meeting will be held on the third Monday evening, due to the public holiday. All members of the College Community and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings. Please check your calendar or son's diary for these dates. At the meetings Br Neville, Mr Druce, and members of the various sub-committees present a quick report as to their current projects within the school. We also discuss any suggestions or issues which have been brought to our attention by members of the College Community. Meetings commence promptly at 7.00pm, are followed by supper, and are completed by 8.30pm.

In terms one and three, we host a Parent Forum. The purpose of these forums is to invite a guest speaker to address the group on issues relevant to parents, and then to have a discussion or question time after the input. We found these to be very successful last year, with over 300 people attending our final forum with Dr Michael Carr-Gregg.

Parent Forums are held on the second Monday evening of the second month of terms one and three. These Forums are advertised in Newsletters and all parents and interested persons are encouraged to attend. The College sponsors the forums, which are provided either free of charge or for a very small fee for those attending. There is no need to RSVP prior to meetings or Forums. Meeting dates are noted in your son's diary. Our first forum for the year will be on Monday, March 12.

SPORTS CANTEEN

Sports canteens are operated for every sport during home games/ swimming carnivals. As well as being a much needed service at these events, the canteens are an important source of revenue for the P&F and a way for parents and families to socialize and meet our sons' peers and parents. We ask that parents consider volunteering a small amount of time to serve in the canteens during these times. We can always use more help - please ring Kate (president of the P&F) on 3366 7603 if you are able to assist.