P&C Journal Term 2 2013

JOURNALTerm 2, 2013 VOL 65 No. 2

THE JOURNAL OF THE FEDERATION OF PARENTS AND CITIZENS ASSOCIATIONS OF NSW

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Parent and Citizen Journal The Journal of the Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations of New South Wales

Ph: 1300 885 982 Fax: 1800 655 866 Email: [email protected] Website: www.pandc.org.au

President: Lyall Wilkinson Publicity Officer: Rachael SowdenContributors and feedback to: [email protected]

Advertising: Oxford Creative 7 Ferngrove Place Chester Hill NSW 2162 Phone: 9738 9151 www.oxfordcreative.com.au

The views expressed in the Journal are not necessarily those of the Federation of Parents and Citizens’ Associations of New South Wales

CONTENTS6 Outdoor Play

is Fun

20 Media Release – NSW to implement Gonski

22 Australian Education Bill 2012

24 Know before you go

25 Who cares about the environment

28 The Record of School Achievement in 2013

29 Want to form a district council?

34 Sport and Recreation Centre Kids’ Camps

38 Love Food Hate Waste Recipes

IN THE SCHOOLS9 Twilight fete

14 APPetite for reading

16 Mindfulness

18 Timebanking

19 Grow me safely

22 Inspire, motivate & KONVERSE!

23 Royal Navy visits Floraville

23 Visit the new-look Sustainable Schools NSW hub

32 Harmony Day

36 Science is an Experience

P&C NEWS4 Presidents Message

4 What type of representation can a State Councillor make?

5 8 ways to boost student outcomes

8 I’m a P&C kid

25 Update from Marsh

26 Want to start a P&C?

26 Volunteers need to be registered

26 P&C Emails... just a click away.

27 Student Insurance Renewals!

27 Who and what is the ACNC?

27 Volunteers and Paid Employees

29 Committees help kids and schools

30 Annual Conference

IMPORTANT ISSUES12 Have your say

14 Local Schools, Local Decisions

15 Bus safety = 35 ways with 4 core

23

COVER STORY

34

3P&C JOURNALP&C JOURNAL2

The term ahead of us is sure to be busy and filled with lots of planning and events for our affiliated P&C Associations. Many P&C’s hold AGMs in the first half of the year, so make sure you have followed up on any outstanding business and are ready for your AGM. Remember once you have new office-bearers elected to send in your Annual Association record to let P&C Federation’s office know details of your new office bearers.

As you would know the Federal Election campaign is in full swing and our politicians are making the most of the long lead time before the Election in September. Make sure your P&C is ready for Election Day and that our Federal members know what YOU want for public education in Australia. Get campaigning early and ask questions of our politicians to find out what their stance is on the issues that are important to you, make your vote count. If your P&C is holding an event on Election Day get planning now and make the most of the wider community visiting your school.

P&C Federation Annual Conference is coming in July with registrations closing 28 June. Be sure to get your P&C delegates registered and support them to be prepared, organised and well educated on the motions and agenda for the Conference so they can make your P&C Association heard across the state. Annual Conference is an effective way to have your P&C’s concerns discussed. Annual Conference is not just a place to debate and talk policy, even though it is a very important part of the event, it is also a good place to network with like minded delegates, make friends and share ideas about how to make your P&C greater. Join us for Annual Conference and help make a difference for our children’s future. For more information be sure to visit P&C Federation’s website www.pandc.org.au.

Yours in volunteering

message to affiliates A new book was recently launched by Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, Governor of NSW. The book, ‘Western Region 8 Ways Pedagogy’ compiled by the Department of Education Western NSW Region will be essential reading for teachers wanting to improve learning outcomes for Aboriginal students.

The book aims to help teachers use Aboriginal ways of teaching and learning such as story sharing, symbolism and learning maps. Western NSW Regional Director, Carole McDiarmid said the launch with the Governor is fair recognition for the critical and meticulous work carried out by the Western NSW Regional Aboriginal Education Team to teach through culture rather than about culture.

Teaching through culture is essential if we want to improve educational outcomes for

Because ourchildren needpositive, inspiringenvironments!

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Aboriginal students. The 8 Ways framework helps teachers incorporate story sharing, non-verbal teaching symbols and images or other techniques to help all students, but particularly Aboriginal students, better grasp the concepts being taught.

Back row left to right: Peter MacBeth, Principal Moss Vale High School (former Bangamalanha Principal), Susan Cearns, Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer, Dean Murray Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer, Allan Hall, Teaching and Learning Coordinator, Yvonne Hill Aboriginal Education Consultant, Dr Tyson Yunkaporta, Aboriginal mentor

Front row left to right: Melissa Kirby, Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, Marilyn Redman, Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer

to boost student outcomes

8 Ways

P&C Federation state councillors are often called upon to make representation to groups on behalf of the President and State Council. This is a very important task as without this representation P&C Federation would not get the same input into the development of Policies that affect our children, their education, schooling and learning environments.

Once a councillor has been elected to represent P&C Federation they have a few duties to perform. Firstly, they must attend all meetings and receive, read and action materials related to the committee. Secondly, they are required to submit a report to Council on the goings on of the committee so that informed decisions can be made regarding the major talking points of the group. If there is a decision to be made, recommendations are

presented to Council on the report for their considerations.

There are many groups that P&C Federation have representation on and this helps our members to know what is happening and keep up to date with the latest news. It also gives us the opportunity to voice our support for initiatives and programs and to ensure our School communities are engaging with students to provide for them the best outcomes for their future.

State councillor Ray Mosley attended the Director Generals Advisory Group for Multicultural Education and Training on behalf of P&C Federation and reported to us the progress of the Connected Communities Program rollout. A program that P&C Federation approves of and feels strongly about supporting.

What type of representation can a State Councillor make?

This report is a great example of good work in realising P&C Federation’s mission and objectives and keeps all of our State Council members well informed and engaged.


Computers, television and video games are fast becoming a major element in children’s play as more and more children are spending their playtime indoors and in front of a screen.

Nowadays in metropolitan areas across the country, children are less likely to have access to natural surroundings and green spaces. Rosemary Davis is the Director in charge of the NSW Government’s eleven sport and recreation centres – community facilities boasting many hundreds of hectares of pristine countryside. She says: “The outdoors provides limitless potential for discovery and exploration. It confronts children with positive experiences of vitality and complexity, but imposes no agenda on them.

There are three types of outdoor play, backyard play, playground play and wild nature play. Backyard unstructured, free play allows children to use their imaginations whilst building dexterity and physical strength. The playground and nature are the best places for children to take advantage of open spaces and fine tune their motor skills by being physical and adventurous. They can freely practise running, climbing, swinging, jumping and learn ball handling skills such as throwing and catching. In Australia we have an abundance of bushland and a magnificent natural outdoor environment for children to immerse themselves in.

Here are some fun ways for parents to encourage children to experience the great outdoors:Create a homemade tent. Find an area where children can make their own tent or cubby house. You’ll need a couple of old sheets, clothes pegs a blanket and some rope.

Try water painting. All children need for this activity is a bucket of water and a brush. Children can paint the side of a building, learn about evaporation and exercise at the same time.

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Test preparation is available too through our Practice Online facility.

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More information is available fromEducational Assessment Australiaon 02 8344 1010 or email [email protected]

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Outdoor Play is

Create a simple treasure hunt. A treasure hunt can also be played indoors, if you are really struggling to find space but its best to be played outdoors. Hide treasure and plant clues for children to use their cognitive skills and imagination.

Design and build an obstacle course. If you have access to a backyard or park, why not set up a mini obstacle course? You can use old tyres, pillows, cardboard boxes, chairs, buckets, hoops and rope.

Plan and take part in an Australian Bush Walk. A bush walk is an excellent way for children to discover and appreciate our unique natural environment.

Visit Go Play.www.goplay.nsw.gov.au where you can access a free activities calendar for parents and care-givers which features lots of affordable, family-friendly, educational and fun outdoor activities.

Lee Holmes

The outdoors provides limitless potential for discovery and exploration. It confronts children with positive experiences of vitality and complexity, but imposes no agenda on them

Fun

6 P&C JOURNAL P&C JOURNAL 7

In February Corowa Public School held a very successful Twilight Fete in the school grounds. Corowa has a population of approximately 6200 and the schools current enrolment is 255 which is drawn from the urban area as well as from outlying rural areas.

Our school is fortunate to have an extensive, picturesque playground that backs onto an attractive natural environmental area close to the banks of the Murray River.

The schools recent fete provided fun and games including a giant slide, sideshow rides, face painting, haunted house, pony rides, white elephant stall, spinning wheel, disco, jumping castles, junior iron man, kickboxing exhibition, raffles, food, drinks and much more.

It was a fantastic night out and was very well supported by the school and the wider community.The Corowa Public School P&C Association has a commitment to providing the school with essential teaching resources and up to date equipment. P&C members and the school community have been working hard to raise funds for the purchase of new playground equipment.

The Twilight Fete raised over $12,000 which together with funds raised previously will ensure that the playground equipment will be installed in the school grounds in 2013!

Christine Munro School Administration Manager

Twilight Fete

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Hello my name is Sarah-Kate and I am a P&C kid. My mum took me to my first P&C meetings before I was even born!My birth was announced in the school newsletter, it was a small town we lived in and my Dad was a head teacher at the school, my sister went there and Mum was the school P&C President at the time.

I often still get taken along with my little brother to P&C meetings if Mum has to go and help other school P&C’s, or if I’m at swimming before the meeting and Mum doesn’t have time to take me home.

When I have been to swimming first is good because Mum will let me have takeaway for tea and eat it at the meeting. Once she took us to the meeting first and by the time it had finished all the takeaway places were shut so my brother and I were not happy, now we always get it before the meeting.

Sometimes my Mum is away a lot for P&C, she is an Office Bearer for P&C Federation. My brother Ben says that means she is on the phone a lot. He isn’t sure what else it means. My sister Hannah says it means she misses stuff for us. Sometimes she does. She tries not to, but sometimes she isn’t home for our school things or other things. Dad says that she makes up for it in other ways.

I think that what my Mum does is important as lots of the meetings she goes to helps to say what parents think about what is important in schools. My friends at school often say they saw my Mum on TV, and she was talking about school stuff. I like watching her on TV, my sister Bec always says she needs to fix her hair when she sees her on TV!

Last year Ben and I got to go with Mum for two nights when she went and did P&C work, we got to stay in a motel with her, and when she had her meetings we watched DVDs and played on her laptop.

Mum says that knowing P&C things can help her to help us at school. She often has meetings about Ben at school because he has help at school because he has autism, and sometimes she has meetings about my sisters with the Principal.

She tells her friends that when I met the new High School Principal at my sister’s school when I was in Year 4, I told him I was coming to his school because I had sibling rights. He and mum laughed and told me I go to too many P&C meetings.

As a P&C kid I have some tips for good meetings for P&C:

• If someone said it don’t say it again just because you can

• No meeting should go for longer than two hours

• Be nice and listen to each other

• Remember you’re there for your kids

• And good meetings have cookies.

I like that my Mum does P&C, one day I want to do it with her.

Sarah-Kate Sowden

I’m a P&C kid

at Corowa Public School


Is your P&C planning an Election Day event? We all know that the Federal Election has been announced and that we have a bit of time before the day arrives. Make the most of the long lead time and prepare yourselves for a fabulous event on the day!

What does your P&C need to do when planning an event??

• Speak to your Principal to seek permission to use the school premises.

• Make a decision at a P&C meeting to hold the event. Put forward a motion and vote on it at the meeting; speak about the budget available for holding the event, and any ideas for the event.

• If needed, elect a committee for the planning of the event, some P&C’s may have an event committee already; make sure everyone knows their roles clearly.

• Contact your AEC local office once the official writ has been signed to see what they require of your P&C; it may be a form that needs to be filled out or something in writing notifying them of your intention to hold an event.

We contacted the National and State offices of the AEC as well as a local office and we got a couple of different answers in regards to what is required by them, if anything at all. All the more reason to be organised ahead of time to make sure all of your I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed!

• Nut out the event and what you plan to achieve. Make sure you have a risk management plan that includes provision

for emergency services, security, first aid, and evacuation plans in case of an accident or an emergency

• Seek permission from your local council for the event; again this may be a form that needs to be filled out or a notification in writing of what is intended.

• Source any contractors, service providers, products or produce you need for the event: it pays to look around at a few different providers as you may be able to save money

• Fill out a notification of event form and send it in to P&C Federation (at least 14 days prior to the event)

• Finalise the finer details of the event, including a volunteer roster and sign on book.

• Sit back and wait for the day to come around knowing you are organised and ready for the election (even though our politicians may not be!).

By starting your planning early you allow plenty of time to, fill out the paperwork that is required and make sure your P&C is doing things the right way. Great event planning means that your P&C reduces the likelihood of something going wrong, it means you are prepared if something does happen that was not in the ‘ideal’ event plan.

Take the time now to make sure your event is successful for your P&C.

Blackall Park Public School in the Newcastle area is well known throughout the community for their election day BBQ and more so for

their lamingtons. Merrita the School Principal spoke about the large quantity of lamingtons that were ordered by the P&C for the last Election Day event. All of which were all sold out by 10:30am, much to the disappointment of some eager community members hoping to snag some for their morning tea.

This year the event has been flagged in the P&C calendar and preparations are beginning already to make sure it is successful again, something that the P&C looks forward to very much. ‘It is especially good because it is held on the weekend many parents that normally work during the week are able to come along and help out. It is a great day for the P&C and always a lot of fun.’ Merrita Jeffrey, Principal of Blackall Park Public School explained.

This year the P&C is planning something a little greener and sustainable, selling seeds is an initiative the P&C is looking forward to undertaking as it helps to raise awareness about sustainability and green choices. However, they will still have their very popular lamingtons.

Events like this are a great way to involve your wider community in the school and showcase what is happening with the students. The funds raised from these events come from the wider community and not just the school community and it is a great way to meet and engage community members that would not normally become involved. Just another way to advertise your P&C and the great things you do for your students.

Kelly MacDonald Policy and Research Officer P&C Federation

With the Federal election coming up in September, Tregear Public School P&C are getting ready to host an election day BBQ as we have done so over the past years. Tregear P&C find this day very beneficial. Not only do we raise much needed funds for our school, we also get to meet parents and community members. This is a day when nearly the whole community comes to our school and sometimes it feels more like a family BBQ than an election day. I remember an elderly gentleman came up to me and said “election day would not be the same without the sausage sizzle”, and our P&C couldn’t agree more.

Julie Creed P&C President Tregear Public School

Holding an ElEction day EvEnt??

11P&C JOURNAL10 P&C JOURNAL

TIPS for lobbyIng P&C Federation has a clear set of ideals on which to base political lobbying. These can be found in the handbook for P&C Associations.

P&C Federation is committed to a free public education system which is open to all people irrespective of culture, gender, academic ability and socio-economic class which empowers students to control their own lives and be contributing members of society. This commitment is based on the belief that: all people have the capacity to learn, the Government has prime responsibility to provide an education system which is free and secular and open to all, schools should be structured to meet the needs of individual students and should respect the knowledge those students bring to school and build on that knowledge to foster their understanding about the world.

Parents, as partners in the education process, have a right and a responsibility to play an active role in the education of their children. P&C Federation and its representatives share a responsibility of ensuring representative decision making for the benefit of all children.

There is a need for supporters of Public Education to be politically active. The NSW Public Education system is the largest education system in the Nation. This means that parents and Public School supporters have the ability to make an impact on the policies of political parties and independents to ensure the best outcome for Public Education. This doesn’t mean that parents need to rally in the streets – what works

well can be as simple as organising a visit to your local Members of Parliament, writing a letter to the editor, starting a social media campaign or making yourself and your issues known to candidates. Most candidates are more than willing to talk to members in their constituencies.

rePreSenTIng a P&CWhen campaigning on behalf of your P&C Association you must first raise the subject at your P&C and ensure you have the support to campaign on their behalf. Make sure there is a formal motion passed at the meeting to indicate the P&C wish to campaign. Talk about the issues that your P&C feel are the most important and should be identified to your candidate. Decide the channel you are going to utilise to make contact. Before you talk to local sitting Members or those who have put themselves forward as eligible candidates, you need to be well prepared; there are a few things you need to do to maximise your opportunity.

• Name of the state/federal electorate(s) covering your school or learning communities.

• Name of local member and of other candidates standing for election in your electorate(s).

• Contact details for the MPs as above: email and phone details are provided on: www.aec.gov.au. Contact details for non-MP candidates will become progressively available on the candidate’s party’s website or in the local press.

• A concise list of your major issue/concerns/subjects

Once you are aware of the above information, organise a meeting with the candidate.

organISe a MeeTIngOrganise a small number of people to meet with your local candidates. When visiting your local candidate, send a delegation and have your views prepared in a clear concise manner. Your time and that of the candidate are limited; don’t waste time on small talk.

• Confirm availability of a candidate – time and place.

• Keep focused on the agenda – avoid small talk, be succinct, know what you are talking about, get your message across.

• Refer to briefing materials – have facts as well as matters relevant to the schools or community your delegation represents.

• Provide material with your relevant points.

• Arrange a follow up meeting if necessary.

rePorT baCK To THe P&C aSSoCIaTIonAfter the meeting, share the outcomes or answers with your P&C Association. Make it known that the candidate you met

with answered clearly, explained their policy, listened to your concerns etc. If you were not happy with the meeting share this with your P&C Association. Remember candidates are running to be elected and represent their constituents; this is you and your school and your community.

eleCTIon CHeCKlIST• Organise a small group of people to meet with your local

candidates. This could be a group from your school or you could form a delegation of people from a number of P&C associations. You can get in touch with other P&C associations by ringing the public schools in your local area and asking them to pass on your contact details to their P&C President.

• Identify the issues for your school at a P&C meeting then resolve to meet with local candidates or with other local public schools where appropriate. Hold a meeting with your delegation to define the main issues for each of your local schools. Phrase these issues as questions to ask your local candidates.

• Identify your local candidates. You may be able to identify these people on the Australian Electoral Commission website (www.aec.gov.au) or, for political parties, you can refer to their websites (eg: www.alp.org.au, www.liberal.org.au, www.nationals.org.au, www.greens.org.au). Local papers may also be a useful resource for identifying the candidates standing in your electorate.

• Contact your local candidates via their office and organise a meeting. Some candidates may ask for an advance copy of your questions, this is also an ideal opportunity to ask for a copy of their education policy so you can be well prepared for the meeting.

• Meet with your delegation again before each meeting with each local candidate to assess their education policy in relation to your local issues, review your questions to ensure they are still appropriate, decide who will ask what questions and decide who will take notes.

• Spend some time together as a delegation after the meetings to debrief. Refer to the notes that have been taken and make sure that each of you has the information to report back to your P&C associations – and be sure to follow up on any recommendations. Recommendations may include writing back to P&C Federation to lobby on behalf of your communities including a possible motion to take to P&C Federation’s Annual Conference.

• Confirm your discussions in writing back to the candidate.

• Write letters to the editors of local newspapers about the responses you received from each of the candidates.

There is a need for supporters of Public education to be politically active.

Look out for tHe P&C federation federaL

eLeCtion kitWe have put together an election kit for P&C Associations with information on

the Federal Election, contacts, available resources and tips.

It will be sent out electronically and will be available on our website www.

pandc.org.au so make sure you have a look and support Public Education.

FEDERATION OF PARENTS AND CITIZENS ASSOCIATIONS OF NEW SOUTH WALES

www.pandc.org.au

P&C Federation—Proudly serving communities for 90 years

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12 13P&C JOURNAL P&C JOURNAL

In October 2012 the School Bus Safety Community Advisory Committee (SBSCAC), of which P&C Federation is a member, presented their final report to the NSW Government. The report made thirty five recommendations and if they are adopted, school bus travel in rural NSW will eventually be “as safe as possible” - which was the task assigned to SBSCAC.

The report has four core safety recommendations:

1. A phased program to provide Australian Design Rule 68 compliant buses (same as coaches) fitted with lap/sash seat belts for all Rural and Regional school student bus travel operating outside of lower speed urban environments as soon as possible, to be completed within 10 years;

2. The elimination of standing passengers where buses are required to travel on unsealed roads or on roads with a speed limit

of 80km/h or more that are outside of urban areas, no later than day 1 of term 3 of the 2013 school year;

3. Prioritisation of school bus routes and bus stops when infrastructure spending is being allocated;

4. Enhancement of programs to educate and develop safety awareness amongst stakeholders, in particular for motorists

who share roads with school buses.

NSW Transport Minister, Ms. Gladys Berejiklian MP has promised a

response to the report by mid-year 2013, after consulting

with government and industry stakeholders. We hope the NSW Coalition Government give students a better chance of survival, by following the lead of other states and territories

in Australia, to fit school buses with seat belts and to

ban standing.

Glenda Staniford

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LSLD Success = Early activity for Local Schools, Local Decisions (LSLD) has focused on removing the constraints on schools’ ability to organise themselves to best address the needs of the students in their particular school community. These include more local say over the selection of staff and the development of a new resource allocation model for schools.

These changes are about enabling the creation of a high performing public school system where improved student outcomes are driven by local school innovation. This is typical of the reform journey taken by many of the world’s best-performing education systems; from head offices telling schools what to do towards giving people at the frontline much more say over the way resources are used and how the work gets done.

When I talk with parents, principals, teachers and school staff, I always emphasise that local Schools, local Decisions is not about one change that on its own will lead to better outcomes for our public school students. As the renowned educational researcher and author Michael Fullan has observed, ‘it’s a system thing, not a single thing” –

a combination of factors that create the chemistry for widespread improvement.

In Term 1, 2013 we began to put into place measures designed to build the professional capability of the current and future school teachers and leaders that will work in this system. In March, the Department, together with NSW Institute of Teachers and the Board of Studies released the report Great Teaching Inspired Learning: a blueprint for action.

The blueprint includes a plan to build a new framework that links teacher career paths, professional development and performance management to the Australian Professional Teaching Standards.

In an environment of increased local authority, the professionalism of our teachers and school leaders is paramount. Demonstrating accountability for student learning will increasingly be the professional responsibility of school staff working with the school communities.

I am very mindful that these kinds of changes do not happen overnight - but we are heading in the right direction. I look forward to sharing the journey with members of P&C Associations as these changes take shape.

School community involvement

Director-General, Dr Michele Bruniges could not mistake

the looks of wonder and sense of excitement when she

visited a reading lesson in a Year 6 class at Hillvue Public

School last week. Dr Bruniges was drawn to join a group

as they watched the pages of a book come to life and fill

the room with the aid of a clever augmented reality app

on an iPad.

In an era when paper-based reading material risks being

pushed into the background by advancing technology,

class teacher and Hillvue Public Assistant Principal,

Wendy Foster said that the app offers students “the best

of both worlds”.

Ms Foster said, “The full colour illustrations from the

picture books are still beautiful on their own but are

enhanced even further when viewed through the magic

the app offers. I love to see the engagement of my

students when we do this.”

Students can read the story or listen to an

interpretation through the iPad, but the real excitement

comes as the app creates activated three-dimensional

versions of the illustrations which at times look like they

are filling the entire classroom. Readers literally see the

book come to life.

Grant Hatch

aPPetite for reading!

Offering students

“the best of both worlds".


If a pin drops on the floor, the 45 children in the K-2 class at blakebrook Public School, near lismore, want to hear it. eyes closed, listening intently for the ‘secret sound’, many of the children know instantly whether their teacher drops a pin, a pen or something else. The ‘secret sound’ listening game is part of the Mindfulness program at Blakebrook Public School,

Blakebrook teacher, Louise Tate is one of 80 North Coast Primary teachers who received ‘Mindfulness for Primary Teachers’ training in 2012.

I went to Blakebrook School to see mindfulness in action and interview Louise. “We started by introducing mindfulness in small ways”, said Louise. “Three times every day the teacher gently rings a bell. After listening to the sound fade away, the children quietly and calmly focus attention on their breathing. This quickly settles anxiety, over-excitement and other emotional states, and prepares their minds for learning.”

The children learn brain science and how mindful breathing helps their brains to work better.

“I’m very enthusiastic about the program and the results I can already see with the children”, Louise said. ”You can ask a child if they are being mindful of how they are inter-acting with another child, and you can see them pause and reflect on what they’re doing. As they start to accept their own minds, they’re becoming more empathic. They’re more aware of when other people are having a bad day.”

“When they started watching bubbles, as part of the Mindful Seeing lesson, most of the boys wanted to burst the bubbles. Now they’re letting the bubbles land on the carpet and really noticing the colours, the shapes and sizes. We’re finding that the boys who can be a bit aggressive are settling down well after watching the bubbles.”

“We have one focus per week – e.g. mindful seeing, mindful listening, mindful smelling. The children find it calming to focus on their senses; it also helps with concentration, observation and language skills. We talk about each week’s lesson at Friday afternoon assembly and put it in the school newsletter, so parents can get involved. Children even teach their parents to take a few mindful breaths to calm down! Louise smiles.

Bobbi Allan

Mindfulness

“Mindfulness asks teachers to

shift behaviour from trying to quash negative behaviour to helping students prepare to learn. At really

exciting times, times when it’s difficult for them to settle, I can say ‘let’s calm

ourselves’ and the kids know what to do. Or I can say ‘let’s have a moment of

silence’ and it works!

Kindergarten teacher.

One of the primary ironies

of modern education is that we ask students to “pay attention” dozens of times a day, yet we never

teach them how. The practice of mindfulness teaches students how to

pay attention, and this way of paying attention enhances both academic and

social emotional learning.

Amy Saltzman, 2011

Schools across Australia are discovering the huge benefits of converting their existing playgrounds, Halls, sports courts and fields to CRS synthetic surfaces.

Combination Wetpour Rubber/Landscape Turf Multi-Sport Play Areas

Synthetic Turf Multi-Purpose/ Tennis Courts

Mound/Tunnel Slides

Handball Courts

Creative Outdoor Play Areas

Natural Play

Synthetic Turf FieldsIndoor PU Multi-purpose Sports Flooring

Creative Recreation Solutions Pty Ltd. • Phone : (02) 42562991 Fax : (02) 42563991 • Email: [email protected] www.crs.net.au


Do you volunteer at the school P&C canteen or uniform shop, in the classroom, at your children’s sports club or anywhere else? Do you sometimes find yourself wishing you had some extra hands to help out with day-to-day tasks?

If you do, there is some good news.

A new initiative called Timebanking is currently being trialled across some NSW regions. This program is being supported by the NSW Government and aims to recognise your remarkable volunteering efforts in simple and easy way.

Timebanking allows you to earn ‘time credits’ for the volunteer work you contribute. You then ‘bank’ these time credits and then redeem them later on a service you or your family would find valuable. For example, Tracy volunteers at the school canteen for two hours giving her two hours of time credits. Tracy’s child needs some tutoring so she finds another Timebanking member, Gemma, to

provide this. Gemma then uses the hours she has earned tutoring to have another member, Max, clean her gutters. Max then uses the hours he has earned to have someone, Jo, do some ironing. Jo then has these hours to receive something he needs.

Speaking with some parents, things that you could find valuable that Timebanking may offer includes housework, tutoring, mowing the lawn, washing the car, help with technology, walking the dog or getting driving lessons for your children.

So how does it operate?Timebanking is a very easy online system to operate and works similar to EBay or Gumtree. The first step is to register as member and ask your P&C to join by registering at www.timebanking.com.au

Once this has happened you can then claim the hours you volunteer for the P&C by logging the number of hours you volunteered for into the system. Your account is then ‘credited’ with these hours which you then redeem for a service at a later point. It could be babysitting, music lessons, flat pack construction or help with the family business. Remember the service doesn’t have to be for you, it could be for your children or for your parents.

When it comes time to redeem your hours you search through the system for the service you are looking for. Once you find someone offering the services you are looking for, you make contact with them through the system and then arrange for the service to be completed. They then log their hours just as you did.

It really is that simple! Talk to your P&C about becoming a member today and start your Timebanking journey.

Darryl Nichols

Timebanking: a community

volunteering program

Kidsafe NSW promotes natural play environments for children. As part of our commitment to natural play environments we are delighted to present a website resource, ‘Grow me Safely’ that can support groups to plan for natural areas or develop vegetable gardens in their playspaces.

Kidsafe NSW has released the ‘Grow me Safely’, website to provide information relating to gardening with children. The website provides plant lists for veggie gardens and sensory gardens, plants to avoid, and injury data information.

The resource was developed in response to the large amount of enquiries that Kidsafe NSW receives regarding suitable plants in children’s

gardens. Many agencies and organisations contributed to the review, content, images and injury data collection to ensure the website tool is accurate, practical and promotes positive messages regarding gardening activities with children.

Visit the Kidsafe NSW website and click on ‘Grow me Safely’ www.kidsafensw.org

Grow me Safely Kidsafe Gardening


NSW Agreement to Gonski

The Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations of New South Wales (P&C Federation) today welcomes the announcement from the NSW Premier and the Prime Minister that NSW has signed up to the Gonski Funding Deal.

As the legislated voice of NSW Public Schools Parent and Citizens groups who represent the parents and communities of 750,000 public school students we have sought this reform for our children.

We are delighted that our children will not be used as a political football to point score. We commend all involved in making this agreement a reality.

‘The agreement means that support will be targeted to need, and will ensure better equity for our children. Whether a child is from Collarenebri, Claymore or Cammeray, this funding will help improve their education.’ Lyall Wilkinson, P&C Federation President.

P&C Federation look forward to more say, for parents and school communities, in the direction of their local school as this reform promises.

23 April, 2013 Sydney,

New South Wales Media Contact: Publicity officer Rachael Sowden

Barry O’Farrell MP Premier of NSW

Minister for Western Sydney

MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday 23 April 2013

NSW TO IMPLEMENT GONSKI SCHOOL FUNDING REFORMS NSW will implement the Gonski national education reforms, securing $5 billion in additional funding for the State’s schools, NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell and Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli announced today. Mr O’Farrell said the NSW Government had determined the reforms were in the best interest of NSW students, parents and teachers, and had identified the $1.7 billion in savings needed to fund the state government’s share of the reforms. “Gonski provides more resources and fairer distribution and aims to achieve higher standards and a better education for every NSW child,” Mr O’Farrell said. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for NSW schools. “The NSW Government’s announced education reforms delivering more local-decision making by principals and school communities, focusing on quality teaching, and improving literacy and numeracy standards are consistent with the direction of the Gonski Report. “Today’s announcement supports these reforms with significant additional levels of funding - including a legislated guarantee of Commonwealth funding which is to be in place by 1 July 2013.” The NSW Government has prioritised school education and made some tough decisions to find the $1.7 billion to fund Gonski. Cabinet yesterday agreed to fund NSW’s share through temporarily deferring the abolition of Inter-Governmental Agreement taxes, introducing an efficiency dividend to be put in place from July 2015, and further savings in the Budget, some of which will flow from the Government’s VET reforms, including the level of fees and subsidies which are currently being considered by IPART. Mr Piccoli said under these reforms we have secured additional resources for classrooms across NSW, with the majority going to schools in most need. “Funding will deepen and accelerate reforms currently underway in NSW schools including the key principle of allocating resources directly to schools,” Mr Piccoli said. “I am proud of this historic reform which builds on our commitment to deliver a world-class education system in NSW,” he said.

MEDIA: Cameron Hamilton or Mark Tobin (Premier) 9228 5239 David Bold (Minister) 0423 202 369


Visit the new-look Sustainable Schools NSW online hub at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainableschools for tonnes of useful sustainability education resources.

Tools to help schools develop environmental projects plus the latest funding opportunities are all on the hub.

Up-to-date student activities on energy, waste and food gardens are easy to find. The new transport resource collection investigates sustainable options to and from school.

Find examples of popular initiatives the entire school community can join in.

Email [email protected] with your favourite education resource from the hub and you could win 1 of 3 annual NSW national parks passes PLUS a school visit from a park ranger! Deadline for entries is 31 May 2013.

Sustainable Schools NSW is a joint initiative of the Office of Environment and Heritage and the Department of Education and Communities.

As the Treasurer of P&C Federation I get to attend some events on behalf of our Organisation. Last Term P&C Federation was invited to address the House of Representative’s Standing Committee on Education and Employment. This invitation followed P&C Federation making a strong submission to the Committee on behalf of affiliate P&C Associations on the federal governments Australian Education Bill 2012.

Members of the committee were all Members of Parliament with an interest in hearing from constituents the impact they thought the proposed bill may have on educational communities, you know, our schools. As an office-bearer I have not had an opportunity to be involved in a parliamentary enquiry so I was pleased to attend with fellow Officer and observer Country Vice President Margaret Bryden and was proud of our representation which was conveyed by P&C Federation President Lyall Wilkinson, Sharon Johnson, General Manager and Kelly MacDonald, Research and Policy Officer.

Our delegation spoke about education funding being tied to assessment and how funding should be implemented in an equitable manner to address real need. The delegation addressed the fact that we are not keen on the mislabelled “Principal autonomy” however we were supportive of authentic school community autonomy because it is obvious that what works successfully in one area does not necessarily transplant to another. It was suggested if the government and its representatives really wanted to know what parents want, they need to go to the school gates and ask the parents to join them for a cup of coffee. They would then really know what the thoughts and feelings of individual parents were. It was offered that distinguished members

of community need to do more than appear at special assemblies and events to gain an understanding of schools, and the needs of schools.

P&C Federation addressed the significant financial contribution that local P&C associations bring to their school community to support and improve learning environments. It was pointed out that some P&C’s even find themselves having to pay for extra support staff for children who need that little bit more help.

P&C Federation talked about our reluctance to embrace a Federal system in light of the current poor relationships between Federal and State governments. It is clear to us as an Organisation that State and Federal systems not communicating will not be of benefit to our children who in the end become political hostages. As a parent and citizen advocate our representatives stated all educational stakeholders must strive to work together for ongoing better outcomes for all children.

I must say Margaret and I feel privileged to have attended this hearing. It definitely was an eye opener. Our representatives spoke convincingly to argue for government to put the needs of all children in accessing a quality education. It will be interesting to see the final outcome of all this hard work and what findings the Committee may make? We can only hope our little bit adds value and our voice is heard. I know that as parents and carers in our local P&C Associations we aren’t always aware or realise what goes on at state level however I was certainly glad to be exposed to this activity. I know public education is proud and loud, because I was there and I got to watch it happen.

Judy Elliott Treasurer

Australian Education Bill

2012International Women’s Week provided a wonderful opportunity for Kincumber High School P&C Association led by member Brian O’Heir, to host the inaugural ‘Konversation Hour’.

Brian invited legend and local hero Liesl Tesch, and author of ‘Refugee to Resident’, University of Newcastle Ourimbah academic and artist, Dr Ibithal Samarayi, to be speakers on the night. Both seasoned presenters moved the audience to tears with their harrowing and humorous tales. I felt honoured to be part of their ‘no holes barred’ discussion. This initiative proved to be a huge success amongst P&C members, students and parents, staff and visiting teachers, as well as interested community members.

Brian’s ingenuity to extend this event to the public not only showcased his school’s educational commitment to the wider community, it allowed dedicated personnel to share their state of the art facilities in their workplace.

Speakers were linked to themes so to celebrate NSW Seniors Week, guests were Dr Joyce Barry, who in 2012 received her PhD at age 87, along with Indigenous elder, Aunty Anita Selwyn, who in 2009 received her BA at the age of 70 and Helen Ross, who at 91 is about to publish her second book. Helen’s first book, ‘Vaila’s’ Capri’, was published when Helen was 89.

The Kincumber High School greater community all await the eclectic group of future guests. In the coming months the P&C will be hosting an author, a rock legend, a human rights lawyer, an international aid worker, film screenings, a celebrated photographer and more. The evenings are open to all and visitors are of course always invited to stay behind after the ‘konversation’ for a ‘kuppa’.”

Beth Bolte Kincumber High School P&C Life Member

Inspire, motivate & KONVERSE!

THE DAY THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVYCAME TO FLORAVILLE SCHOOL

Visit the new-look Sustainable Schools

NSW hubInterested in getting a food garden up and running at your school? Keen to find out what other school communities are doing to protect the local environment?

November last year saw a Bell 429 naval helicopter land at Floraville Primary school. The helicopter is attached to the 723 Squadron based at HMAS Albatross, Nowra. This day was the third attempt at the visit. Other days had been postponed due to bad weather and mechanical problems.

The visit had been organised as a result of a child having a relative attached to the squadron.

On the day of the visit the weather was perfect and the visit was spectacular as the crew did a number of flyovers before landing within the school. For the 555 children they quickly learnt how much wind the helicopter rotors produce, as they were bombarded with the wind. The students were able to ask questions of the crew and have a look through the helicopter. Some students and staff managed to have their photos taken within the helicopter. They all appeared to be in awe during the hour long visit.

Thanks to the Royal Australian Navy and the 723 Squadron, the children of Floraville Public School had a great and interesting experience.

Peter Guest

23P&C JOURNAL P&C JOURNAL22

Concern for future generations is still the number one reason behind peoples’ worries about the environment in NSW, according to new research released by the Office of Environment and Heritage.

The Who Cares about the Environment? survey measures environmental knowledge, attitudes and behaviour among the people of NSW, and identifies how these have changed over time. It is conducted every three years and is the longest running tracking survey of its type in Australia.

The 2012 survey found that while a large majority of respondents are still concerned about environmental problems, fewer are concerned than in the last survey in 2009.

As in past studies, the most common reason for being worried about the environment is concern for future generations. Perhaps predictably then, people with children (of any age) are more likely to be concerned ‘a great deal’ about environmental problems.

Education also appears to play a role. Degree of concern about environmental problems, environmental knowledge, and engagement with environmental behaviours all tend to rise with levels of education. Overall, the 2012 survey found that people in NSW have a more positive view of the environment and its current condition than in previous years. For the first time, the research found no single environmental issue or ‘threat’ dominating the public mind.

People instead are focusing on their local environment and are enjoying the outdoors in high numbers. People with children are more likely to have visited beaches, bushland, parks and zoos

‘many times’ during the last year while one-fifth of people visiting these outdoor locations have taken part in an organised nature education activity.

At home, people continue to ‘do the right thing’ with 98 per cent of those surveyed saying they often undertake at least one of 10 nominated ‘everyday’ environmentally friendly behaviours. Interestingly, the average number of ‘everyday’ activities undertaken often is higher among people with children.

Activities that were once seen as fringe issues have become embedded in daily life. Recycling, using ’green’ shopping bags and being energy-wise and water-wise have all become routine. This latest documentation of community attitudes will be useful in the design and development of environmental programs in a variety of areas, including education.

and what can parents take away from all of this? The research found that as concern about the environment increases, the more people know and do about it. It also suggests that if people feel their environmentally friendly activities are effective, they may just be more likely to do more of them, more often. So why not get out there and show the kids the difference they can make and why it’s so important to keep it up!

Find out more about the Who Cares about the Environment? survey at http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/community/whocares.htm

Who cares about the Environment?

Ever taken children to the movies and had a Finding Nemo moment? A movie classified G that was a bit overwhelming for a littlie, spoiling a (fairly expensive) family outing? The opening scenes of a menacing looking barracuda with long sharp teeth may have been unexpected, as well as overly scary for the young ones.

Or perhaps you’ve experienced what we call a Jurassic Park moment? A movie (classified PG in the original 2D version) that was enjoyed immensely by your 10 year old and his Dad, but you had to take your screaming 4 year old to the foyer? The scenes of salivating, aggressive dinosaurs, with close-ups of mouths, eyes and claws, and children in danger from dinosaur attack were too much for a preschooler.

Or your older children have pestered you to let them see the latest M classified superhero (think Batman, Spiderman, The Incredible Hulk,) or fantasy movie (the later Harry Potter, Fellowship of the ring ), with “But Mum everyone is going to see it”… And all the associated merchandise makes it look like it’s OK for kids? But it turned out to be quite violent and there were nightmares afterwards? And beware, the new 3D version of Jurassic Park is rated M.

If you’ve had experiences like this, and you have carefully chosen movies because they were G or PG, or because you remembered the milder versions of titles from your childhood with TV, you may well feel let down and annoyed. And you are not alone.

One of the problems is that Australia’s classification scheme, though applied fairly rigorously, is not set up to provide the sort of detail about content in G, PG and M movies that can help parents choose for young children. G means OK for anyone under 15, and PG means the movie contains some content that might confuse or upset someone under 15 years. M means not recommended for the under 15s. The consumer advice lines that accompany the classification might give the main reason why the film has that classification but lines like “mild fantasy violence” won’t convey whether it’s age-appropriate, or too scary or violent for certain ages.

So the classification system may not be much help if you are wanting to find movies that are OK for a 4 or 5 year olds, or indeed, for a 10,11 or 12 year old.Ten years back, the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) decided to provide more detailed assistance with finding enjoyable movies for families with children under 15 years. ACCM knew it could utilise the ongoing reliable evidence on the impacts of some movie content on children of different ages. It set up a team of professionals with child development expertise and sends one to each newly released G and PG movie, and those M movies promoted or attractive to children, to provide a review of content and suitability for different ages.

These are entered into ACCM’s Know before you Go data base online at www.childrenandmediia.org.au and can be accessed free of charge. There are now over 750 reviews of movies since mid 2002, plus some reviews of golden oldies that are available on DVD. All of this would not have been possible without the initial support of the Federal Government, and for the past 7 years from the SA Attorney General.

The service is very popular with those who have found it and we often receive comments like

• “Just to say how FANTASTIC your guide for kids movies is. THANK YOU”

• “Found your website useful, particularly regarding suitability of The Hobbit for children”

In 2012, ACCM’s “new look” website was launched, with all 750 plus movie reviews transferred to a database searchable not only by title, but also age group suitability and also by classification. All new G and PG rated movie reviews are also being modified for children and added to the new Kidzone on the website, along with simplified versions of older reviews. There are now 70 reviews in this growing section of the website. The promotion budget for Know before you go is small and the ACCM look to satisfied users to spread the word to others who would benefit. Please get the message out and tell your friends, Know before you go - a good choice even if we do say so ourselves!

Barbara Biggins CEO

KNOw bEfORE

yOu gO!

Movies for children

SubjectPublic Liability

CoveringThird Party Property Damage & Personal Injury

ExamplesThird Party Property Damage

Where a P&C is negligent, this Policy will cover any property damaged at a P&C event that belongs to a third party (including physical injury to or destruction or loss of tangible property) For example;

At the local fete, a P&C member damages some music equipment that a band were performing with by accidentally spilling water on the bands amplifier. This would be considered Third Party Property Damage.

Third Party Personal InjuryAgain, where a P&C is negligent, the purpose of this cover is to cover for personal injury (including bodily injury, death, sickness, disease, disability, shock, fright mental injury and so on).

For example; during a P&C fun run for the local school, a member of the public is injured whilst on his daily walk. It turns out the injury was sustained after tripping on some rope that was placed there by the P&C when setting up the course for the fun run. This is negligence by the P&C volunteer and therefore this section of the policy would respond by paying for damages subject to the policy terms & conditions

Please note that this information is a summary of cover provided. For full policy terms and conditions, please contact P&C Federation.

Dwight McPherson

Update from Marsh

24 25P&C JOURNALP&C JOURNAL

Volunteers and Paid Employees

Want to start a P&C?

Recently your P&C Association may have received a letter from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) in 2012 explaining that the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) was being established.

The ACNC (www.acnc.gov.au or 13 2262) is now writing to inform all registered charities and not for profit organisations that they have been transferred from the ATO to the ACNC, and to ensure that we are all are aware that the ACNC is the new independent national regulator.

If your P&C association has not yet been contacted you should make contact with the ACNC yourself and get the forms sent out. As well you should check to make sure your P&C Association Australian Business Number (ABN) information is current. It is a requirement that all P&C Associations have an ABN, visit this website, www.business.gov.au or call 132866 to check yours or apply for one as a priority.

P&C associations are recognised as charitable institutions by the ACNC and are having their information registered. The letter your P&C association would have received should have a form attached that seeks current information from your members. When completing the form your ‘governance document’ is a copy of your Constitution. The ‘responsible persons’ are the names and titles of your Officers as elected at your AGM. As a P&C association your ‘financial reporting period’ will differ from traditional year-end of 30 June, as such you should note the end of financial year for your association and note the by-laws of your association and historical practice as the reason for seeking a ‘substituted accounting period’. Information you provide will be published on the ACNC register. P&C associations should complete forms they receive and send them back following the instructions. If you get stuck give the ACNC a call or contact P&C Federation for member support.

Member Services Team

n Form a small working party to investigate forming a P&C at your school. This group could find the resources such as the Constitution, operating rules and membership fees so that a school community can be well informed regarding what a P&C association is obliged to do if established. Information is available directly from P&C Federation (1300 885 982 / www.pandc.org.au) on Insurance and Affiliation, P&C Handbook, Constitutions, Suggested By-laws, Draft Agenda, Facts Sheets on Roles and Responsibilities, Becoming Incorporated, Code of Conduct, Risk Management Form and a sample Asset Register as well as many other items.

n Advise the Principal that you wish to form a P&C Association and seek their co-operation. If the Principal is unsure how to support a P&C or is discouraging in any way contact their line manager in the DEC or phone P&C Federation. Principals do not get to decide if there is a P&C at a school, this is a decision for the school community.

n Publicise a meeting to the whole school community that clearly outlines that a decision will occur at this forum that may establish a P&C Association at your school. This notice may be published in the school newsletter, on the noticeboards and through any social media mediums. This meeting will adopt a constitution as sourced from P&C Federation if a P&C association is agreed on.

n Schedule a meeting of the P&C Association for no less than 7 days after the school community has decided to establish a P&C. This meeting will be to elect the office bearers and the executive members of the association, set up by-laws, decide membership to P&C Federation and suitable insurances. As well you may decide to adopt a Code of Conduct and other relevant policies.

n After your meeting, an Officer, typically the Secretary or President, will contact P&C Federation and pay the affiliate membership, update the Association Record form and get support for the P&C Association, this can happen in many ways and are included in the membership paid on affiliation.

Now that we are a P&C what are some of the basics?

n You will need to have a receipt book for membership and a membership book to record your financial members in.

n Organise a bank account with three signatories and yes, they can be electronic signatures (two required for all transactions) and a facility for mail to be sent. Contact P&C Federation to access your free email account.

n Develop a budget for the P&C with a focus on the fundraising and policy objectives. It is always better to plan ahead and prioritise the objectives of the P&C Association so that the membership may make decisions that will best support the school community and the educational needs of the children.

Student Insurance - Renew NOW!

Congratulations, you are now a functioning P&C Association.

Now enjoy regular meetings where the true value of

communities working together can be realised.

Volunteers need to be registered

All of our P&C associations rely on the generosity of our volunteers to make things happen. It is important that each P&C keeps a track of the volunteers whether they are financial members of the association or not. Whenever your P&C has someone volunteering for any type of task or event they should sign in to a volunteer register. A register is typically an exercise book or ledger ruled up to allow the following entries; date, volunteer name in full, volunteer signature, time attending, time departing, contact number/email. This register should be provided for anything from working or volunteering in the P&C canteen on a daily basis to assisting at the fete or disco. The volunteer register is a practical way to note site attendees for Work Health and Safety purposes as well as being a useful resource to follow up on future activities and potential volunteers. Make sure your P&C has and uses a volunteer register book.

P&C Emails... just a click away.

All affiliates are provided with access to a webmail system which gives a [email protected] email account which can be used by members of each individual P&C in the state to communicate externally. This account also allows P&C Federation to easily send electronic information to P&C’s to keep them updated on current information and events ensuring information is flowing directly to an affiliated P&C in the quickest most efficient form.

The webmail system is free can be accessed at http://webmail.pandcaffiliate.org.au

Each school has been given a user account already so if you have not yet logged in or have forgotten your school details please send an email to [email protected] with your contact name, school name and position on the name of your P&C association and you will be provided with your access details. Alternatively, if you cannot contact the helpdesk via email, please sms 0413 732 300 and David will be able to get your details to you.

Do you want an Insurance that covers all of your students?P&C Federation has great policy will cover each child enrolled at the school against injuries both whilst at school and at home!

That’s right, 24 hours a day 7 days a week cover for an affordable cost! What more could you ask for?

Here are some claims recently covered by P&C Federation’s Student Injury Policy;

• Student tragically killed in a pedestrian/motor vehicle accident on the way to school

• Medical and rehabilitation expenses for a young girl who dislocated her shoulder

• A boy who tore a ligament in his knee and required reconstructive surgery

• Dental costs for student who lost teeth whilst on a school activity

Doesn’t this policy speak for itself?To take up this great offer and for further information, visit our website

www.pandc.org.au/insurance.seo or contact [email protected]

Ela Comertpay

Who and what is the ACNC?

P&C Associations tend to get confused with the different types of Insurances available to cover Volunteer workers and P&C paid employees.

Volunteer Workers To help clarify, P&C Volunteer Insurance covers ALL adult Volunteer workers, while participating in approved P&C event/activity; such as attending P&C meetings, canteen, and uniform shop, external fundraisers and the like.

Volunteers over the age of 75 and over 6 months pregnant cannot be covered under the P&C Volunteer Insurance.

Paid WorkersP&C Federation is not able to provide Workers Compensation for P&C paid employees, if your P&C have paid employees you must have Workers Compensation Policy. You can purchase this through insurers.

event Stall Holders Stall Holders that attend P&C run events and are volunteering for the P&C will be covered under the P&C Volunteer Insurance as long as they register their names in an attendance book. Business owners holding a stall at a P&C run event are required to provide their own Certificate of Currency. Contractors attending P&C run event will need to provide their Certificate of Currency with their Public Liability Insurance as they will not be covered under P&C Insurance and will have their own policiesEla Comertpay


In 2012 the state government launched the Record of School Achievement (RoSA) to provide a credential for students who leave school between the end of Year 10 and the HSC .

The previous School Certificate was for Year 10 only, and this meant Year 11 students who left school didn’t have a credential to record the extra work they had done.

This is the real plus of the RoSA - a student’s academic results up until the day they leave school.

In its first year nearly 2,400 RoSAs were awarded to students across the education sectors.

If your child is thinking about leaving school before the HSC the following information from the Board of Studies may be of help:

Who is eligibleTo be eligible a student must have finished the NSW Year 10 and completed courses that satisfy the Board of Studies’ RoSA curriculum and assessment requirements.

If a student has left school prior to the HSC they can request a RoSA by contacting their former school and the Board of Studies will send the RoSA to the student’s home address.

What’s on the RoSAOn the RoSA you will see all the student’s Year 10 and any Year 11 grade for completed courses. The grades range from A to E and are for all courses other than Life Skills and VET courses.

If a student leaves school before completing a course, including HSC courses, their enrolment in that course will be shown on their RoSA.

Students OnlineFrom 2013 all Year 10, 11 and 12 students will have access to the Board’s Students Online website to see the courses they are enrolled in and their grades.

If you have children in Years 10, 11 and 12 they will be given log in details to access the website. Should students wish to show a prospective employer their grades they can be print them from Students Online.

GradesNSW high school students now receive grades for their Year 10 and Year 11 subjects. These grades are awarded by teachers based on criteria developed by the Board to ensure consistency

across the state. The grades provide students with information on their ongoing performance compared to the entire 70,000-80,000 students in that year.

Literacy and numeracy testsStudents who leave school before they get their HSC can take literacy and numeracy tests. These are supervised tests taken online at school. Results are sent directly to the students as soon as they are marked. Students can also see their results on Students Online.

To be eligible to sit the literacy and numeracy tests students just need to tell their teacher that they are planning to leave school and would like to sit the tests. This doesn’t mean the student has to leave school – they can always change their mind.

There are two times to sit the tests in 2013 and students can sit the tests once each time. The test times are 23-29 May and in October with exact dates still to be finalised.

Students should advise their teacher as soon as possible if they want to take the tests.

Recording extra-curricular achievementsFeedback to the Board from employers tells us that they are interested in more than a student’s academic results.

With this in mind the Board developed an online portal Up2Now to help students list extra-curricular activities.

Once they have registered on the site, students can provide the link to their page to prospective employers. A number of schools are currently trialling Up2Now. If students wish to participate they need to talk to their teacher.

If you have children who are involved in volunteering and community work and you think this could help them with a job application speak to your school about Up2Now.

For more information on the RoSA visit http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/rosa/

Julie-Anne Scott

The Record of School Achievement in 2013

Want to form a district council?n Form a small working party to investigate

forming a District Council in your area. This group could find the resources such as the Constitution, operating rules and membership fees so that the community can be well informed regarding what a District Council is obliged to do if established. Information is available directly from P&C Federation (1300 885 982 / www.pandc.org.au) on Insurance and Affiliation, P&C Handbook, Constitutions, Suggested By-laws, Draft Agenda, Facts Sheets on Roles and Responsibilities, Becoming Incorporated, Code of Conduct, Risk Management and a sample Asset Register as well as many other items.

n Publicise the meeting to all affiliated school communities within the proposed District Council area. The meeting requires at least 8 properly elected delegates of P&C associations desiring to formally meet. The notice of meeting should clearly outline that a decision will occur at this forum that may establish a District Council in the area as defined. This notice may be published in school newsletters, on the noticeboards and through any suitable social media mediums.

At the first meeting a District Council will;

n Resolve to form a District Council for a specified and named district, and to call upon the Minister for Education to gazette a District Council for the district as defined. The district will be defined by (i) a list of government schools who agree to become members or (ii) a

group of government schools in a geographic area.

n Adopt a District Council constitution using the Standard District Council Constitution as the basis of the Constitution with the required insertions of name, definition of the district and number of delegates required to request a special meeting.

n Elect the Office Bearers’ positions; President, 2 x Vice Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer, as well as the Executive members (up to 6) of the District Council.

n Establish by-laws for the operation of the District Council which may and could include; deciding membership fees, becoming affiliated with P&C Federation and purchasing suitable insurances, setting meeting dates or schedules. The membership may also resolve to adopt a Code of Conduct and other relevant policies.

n Appoint an auditor for the current year ending at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held in April, or soon thereafter as described in the Constitution.

n After your meeting, an Officer, typically the Secretary or President, will contact P&C Federation and pay the affiliate membership, update the Association Record form and get support for the District Council, this can happen in many ways and are included in the membership paid on affiliation. The Minutes of this meeting are to be forwarded to P&C Federation. P&C Federation shall

handle interactions with the Minister for Education if any is required.

Now that we are a District Council what are some of the basics?

n You will need to have a receipt book for membership and a membership book to record the District Council delegates’ names in. Ensure that you ask all members to provide the Secretary with a Certificate of Currency. This is provided to each P&C Association on affiliation with P&C Federation and ensures that the member has both current affiliation status and public liability cover.

n Organise a bank account with three Officer Signatories and yes, they can be electronic signatures (two required for all transactions) and a facility for postal mail.

n Contact P&C Federation to access your free email account. Register for an Australian Business Number (ABN) and register with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission (ACNC).

n Develop a budget for the District Council with a focus on the objectives and any fundraising strategies. It is always better to plan ahead and prioritise the objectives of the collective P&C Associations so that the membership may make decisions that will best support the shared school communities.

Congratulations, you are now a

functioning District Council. Now

enjoy regular meetings where the

true value of communities working

together can be realised.

PARENT committee members who work hard behind the scenes at schools received much deserved credit last term. Wednesday 6 March was State Parents & Citizens (P&C) Day.

Tregear Public School celebrated the day with a morning tea, award presentation to members and a visit from Chifley MP Ed Husic.

“We work closely with the Principal,” P&C Vice-President Julie Creed said.

“We have a strong and supportive relationship.

“It’s the school I went to as a student, my two children went too and now my grandchildren are there.”

Jobs include being part of the interview panel

when hiring potential staff and fund-raising.

“When you’ve got 500 kids at the school five days a week, things get broken and government funding isn’t enough,” she said.

resources funded through P&C events include books, vegetable gardens and a new fridge for the school’s daily breakfast club after the old one broke down.Mrs Creed was voted Treasurer at her second meeting eight years ago and hasn’t looked back. She was the school’s P&C President when she won community member of the year

at the NSW Federation of P&C Associations awards in 2011.

“I enjoy the interaction with the parents and seeing the kids benefit from what we do,” she said.

“I enjoy making a difference by giving back to the school and the kids.”

Mrs Creed believes schools would run differently without P&C committees.

“I don’t believe they would have too much community involvement,” Mrs Creed said.

Kylie StevensFirst published in St Marys – Mount Druitt Star

Committees help kids and schools

28 29P&C JOURNAL P&C JOURNAL

If you are a financial member of your affiliated school P&C Association, you are eligible to attend our Annual Conference.

We would love to see you there, so make sure you get your registration in on time, 28 June 2013.

Each affiliate can send up to three voting delegates.

This year the conference will be held at The Bankstown Sports Club, 8 Greenfield Parade Bankstown Friday 26 July, Saturday 27 July and Sunday 28 July 2013.

For those delegates travelling to attend and intending to stay at the venue it can be appropriate for your P&C to help with the cost of your accommodation. This would be a matter to be raised at and resolved at a General meeting of your P&C Association.

A little bit about Bankstown; a vibrant and multicultural CBD, Bankstown is the perfect City for shopping, dining, entertainment and recreational experiences. Bankstown is known as a food-lover’s paradise – with a great range of restaurants and cafes giving patrons a taste of food from across the globe. Bankstown also has a major retail centre easily accessed by rail and road networks. The club is a two minute walk from Bankstown Station and from the Bankstown Station bus terminal.

For any further information, please contact P&C Federation’s office on 1300 885 982 and be sure to look out for your P&C notices and mail outs. We look forward to welcoming you to ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2013

Friday 26 July 2013Business Session 1Registration open at 12:00pm Conference opens at 1:00pm and continues until 5:30pmSaturday 27 July 2013

Business Session 2Registration open at 9:00amSession open at 10:00am and continues until 12:30pmLunch 12:30pm - 1:45pm - lunch is not provided to delegates however the Club has a number of eateries situated in the Piazza with a shopping precinct situated directly outside of the Club.

Business Session 3Registration open at 1:20pmSession opens at 2:00pm and continues until 4:30pm

Business Session 4Registration opens at 5:30pm

Session opens at 6:00pm and continues until 9:30pm

Sunday 28 July 2013Business Session 5Registration opens at 8:30am

Session opens at 9:30am and continues until 11:30am at which time Annual Conference closes.

Pack your bags and come to Annual Conference.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE – BE INVOLVED, DEBATE

attending annual ConferenceOver three days you will have the opportunity to take part in shaping the policies of P&C Federation and other education policies that are up for debate on the agenda, including, of course, any motions that your school has submitted.

Preparing for debateAnnual Conference can vary its agenda and motions, and any motions that are not debated on the floor of Annual Conference can be referred to the state Council for consideration.

Ensure that you have a short background to your motion so that those who may not see the motion as clearly as you, have some sort of understanding of the reasoning behind your motion.

The DebateWhen debating a motion at Annual Conference there are a few guidelines that are used to ensure fair debate and timely order. The Standing Orders that are used at Annual Conference are included in the 2013 Handbook for Parents and Citizens Association which each P&C is sent a copy of. Each motion must have a mover and a seconder, the mover will be called upon to speak to the motion and is given a maximum of 3 minutes to outline the rationale for supporting the motion. If there is no mover then the motion will lapse. Each speaker following the mover is allowed 2 minutes to speak to the topic, speakers are required to state if they rise to speak for or against a particular motion.

After the mover and seconder have spoken, delegates who oppose the motion are called upon to speak. If there are not two delegates to speak against the motion the chair will put it to an immediate vote. Speakers are called for alternately speaking ‘for’ or ‘against’ the motion. The motion will be put to the vote either when there are no more speakers or when the meeting calls for it to be decided.

During debate delegates may move amendments and the Chair can ask the mover, the seconder and then Conference, if the amendment is acceptable to them without any debate. If so the amendment is disposed of and becomes part of the motion under debate. If not accepted it is debated along with the motion. However, the Chair will not accept or allow you to accept amendments which are in conflict with the motion.

extensions of TimeThe Conference may decide to grant an extra two minutes to any speaker, but this decision is not reached until normal time has elapsed. Don’t Count on it! Conference is time poor and continuous time extensions will often mean that the Agenda run behind, hardly fair to those affiliates waiting to.

Speaking to amendments and at the close of the debate As the mover of the motion at the close of debate, assuming you have had some opposing speakers, you will be called upon to speak in reply this is your ‘right of reply’ and once you have spoken the debate is closed and the vote is put.

As the mover, you have a right to speak in the debate on any amendments; however you must limit what is said to discussing the amendment only. If you stray into debating your motion and not the amendment the Chair can stop you and close the debate, this is seen as your right of reply and no further discussion will be had.

“getting the Call”The Chair will call for a mover to speak initially or in reply. Any delegate wishing to speak is required to clearly indicate their wish to speak but signalling the Chair. This is done by holding your delegate voting card up for the Chair to be able to see. Once the Chair acknowledges you and you are invited to approach the microphone and speak you may. You must

remain seated until invited to attend the microphone and no matter how strongly you feel about something you cannot stand over or speak over any other speaker.

be involved Whilst you may be attending conference to debate your motion, others are attending to debate theirs, be as involved as possible in all debate, this is what forms good policy.

Vote on all items, nearly all of the motions will have been decided upon at your school by your P&C association. Where new business is tabled be sure to act responsibly and determine your vote from the merits of the debate, if you are not comfortable to vote you may have your abstention recorded in the Minutes. Always remember you are a delegate representing your P&C so vote according to your P&C’s intention.

Take part in all the activities of Conference and enjoy meeting other P&C members from all over NSW, share ideas, tips and tricks that your P&C might have up their sleeve. All P&C members are there for the same reason, their children’s education!

Remember “It is Your Conference and Your P&C Federation”

Before you get to Conference have a look at the draft Agenda and read through the motions again so that you are well informed and armed with debate. Make sure you have a copy of the P&C handbook with you.

Remember that this truly is your Conference. Don’t sit back and hide amongst the crowd, speak up, let your opinion be heard, debate respectfully and vigorously, share ideas, meet new people and most of all enjoy yourself.

Your school P&C can send up to three delegates to Conference all that is required is that you are a financial member of your P&C and your school P&C is a financial affiliate of P&C Federation.

Anthony O’Connell P&C Federation state Council Member


At Hampden Park Public School we recognise children as individuals, catering for their needs and talents and fostering tolerance and harmony in our culturally diverse community. We are proud to represent over 40 different languages, with 98% of our student cohort from a language background other than English.

Our school motto ‘Learning Together’ reflects the understanding that every student, every teacher and every parent and carer plays a critical role in a successful learning community. We acknowledge and value parents as a child’s first and best teachers

21 March is Harmony Day

The message of Harmony Day is Everyone Belongs. It is a day to celebrate Australia’s diversity. It is a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home – from the traditional owners of this land to those who have come from many countries around the world.

There are many ways we can celebrate Harmony Day – through sport, dance, art, film, music, storytelling, cooking and sharing cultural meals. By participating in Harmony Day activities we can learn and understand how all Australians from diverse backgrounds equally belong to this nation and make it a better place.

Harmony Day is managed by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Since 1999 Harmony Day has been widely celebrated across schools, childcare centres, community groups, churches, businesses and federal, state and local government agencies.

To encourage celebrations, DIAC provides free Harmony Day promotional material to those who register events on the website. There are also educational resources for teachers and students to celebrate Harmony Day in their schools.

Get involved:Website: www.harmony.gov.au Email: [email protected] Phone: 1800 331 100

45%

Around 7 million people have migrated to Australia since 1945

We identify with approximately 300 ancestries

of Australians are either born overseas or have a parent who were

EVENTSsince it began in 1999

Harmony Day has been celebrated with

The message of Harmony Day is - Everyone Belongs.

It is a day to celebrate

Australia's diversity.

Learning together in Harmony

and ensure strong, cooperative partnerships through our P&C Association and Parent Partnership Programs.

Every year we embrace Harmony Day as an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural and linguistic backgrounds which we bring with us to our community. The day is a riot of colour with students, staff and parents adorned in either their traditional dress or orange, the colour of Harmony Day.

All students, staff and parents participate in the celebrations, which begin with a whole-school assembly of performances and awards followed by a multicultural feast. We also invite special guests from the local community and this year we were thrilled to welcome Arwa El Masri, esteemed community member, author and wife of local Rugby

League legend Hazem El Masri.

The assembly, hosted by the school captains and prefects, showcases the strength of our Arabic, Urdu and Bengali Community Language programs through student performances of traditional songs, dances and plays. Each Stage group also presents a piece which reflects the values of multicultural celebration and equality.

Families are invited to bring a plate of food from their culture

to share at a multicultural feast. The sharing of food provides a wonderful way for community groups to connect with each other, transcending language and cultural difference. The food is as diverse as our backgrounds, ranging from chickpea curries to Indonesian satay, and spring rolls to lamingtons. Families take great pride in preparing and sharing traditional foods from their culture and the feast is considered a highlight of the day!

Another Harmony Day tradition is a school-wide art competition. This year the medium was a metre square canvas banner and the brief was to represent the Harmony Day theme of ‘Many Stories, One Australia’. Students worked together in class groups to create a banner and the winning classes were announced at the end of the Harmony Day assembly.

Members of our P&C Association held an art workshop for parents in the school hall, where parents used their creativity to represent their own personal stories and histories on banners. The collection of banners will be connected to make a patchwork of stories which will be displayed in the school hall as both a celebration of our diversity and a reminder of our unity.

Olivia Mackay

You can view more Harmony Day photos online at: www.facebook.com/HampdenParkPublicSchool or http://www.hampdenpk-p.schools. nsw.edu.au/

It is a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls

Australia home

33P&C JOURNAL P&C JOURNAL32

Does the cost cover everything?

Yes. Food, accommodation, supervision by qualified staff and all program activities are covered. Supervised transport, if offered, may be an additional cost. Check with the appropriate Centre for details.

What’s the accommodation like?

Your child will sleep in a modern lodge. Rooms are allocated according to gender and age. Numbers per room vary from Centre to Centre. Our staff stay in separate rooms in or close to lodges and will be responsible for camper safety and behaviour during the night.

My child is coming to camp with friends. Will they be together in the lodge and activity groups?

You can request that your child and their friends are accommodated together. Just let us know when you enrol.

What is the food like?

Our experienced catering staff prepare substantial and nutritious meals to satisfy the hungriest campers. If your child requires a vegetarian, celiac, coeliac or other special diet, please let us know on the Enrolment Form.

What about special medical requirements?

We take your child’s health seriously and our staff are experienced in helping children with conditions such as asthma or diabetes and will record and carefully supervise campers who need to self-administer medication.

What if my child is not a confident swimmer?

All water activities are supervised and personal flotation devices/life jackets are worn when participating in activities like canoeing and sailing. Weaker swimmers are encouraged to use the shallow end of the pool.

Will my child be able to phone me during the camp?

We don’t encourage children to phone home as it can contribute to homesickness. However, each case is considered individually and you’ll

find contact details in each Centre’s information pack that is provided to you once your booking is confirmed.

What activities will my child participate in and will they be safe?

General recreation camps may include a range of activities including archery, abseiling, canoeing, orienteering, kayaking, challenge ropes course, swimming, sailing and rock climbing. Activities are age specific and some restrictions do apply. All activities are conducted by qualified and experienced staff who possess resuscitation and first-aid qualifications. All Centre staff are screened for their suitability to work with children and must undergo a national criminal record check and referee checks are carried out before they are employed.

What if I need to contact my child in case of a family emergency?

In case of emergency, staff are contactable 24 hours a day. You’ll find phone numbers in the relevant Centre information pack.

What if my child is injured or ill?

Wherever possible we will contact you immediately to notify you of the nature of the illness or injury. If medical attention is required, children are taken to the nearest medical centre or hospital. Children with minor illnesses or injuries can usually return to camp.

What do you do about bullying?

Our staff actively create a positive environment and poor camper behaviour, such as bullying, is not tolerated. Campers who display inappropriate behaviour towards others and cannot follow staff instructions are disciplined in an appropriate manner. If this behaviour continues the offending child will be removed from the camp and sent home.

What can I do to help my child adjust to camp easily?

If this is your child’s first time away from home, don’t be tempted to say you’ll come and get them if they feel homesick. Experience tells us this just about guarantees that they will! Instead, reinforce the idea that they are going to have a great time and use the Centre information pack to help everything run smoothly.

ENJOY ADVENTURE?TRY A SPORT & RECREATION

HOLIDAY CAMP

After coming back from our term break we know it is it is always a challenge to find a way to keep children happy and active in the school holiday. Parents and carers can look for Sport and Recreation Centre Kids’ Camps as a fun and healthy way to keep those holiday blues away. The Office of Communities, Sports and Recreation www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/kidscamps have a wealth of information which takes the guess work out of age appropriate safe events.

Sport and Recreation camps are a great chance to get children outdoors in a natural healthy environment, said NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation, Graham Annesley. The camps will be held at beautiful NSW bush or beach locations and each camp has a different theme, such as cooking, adventure, campouts, girls’ empowerment or creative crafts and they aren’t just for kids with family camps also available.

Camps are fully supervised by friendly and qualified staff with a choice of Kids’ Camp programs for ages 7 to 16 there is something to suit every family. Kids’ Camp packages include all activities, accommodation, nutritious meals and 24-hour supervision. Supervised transport is also available to and from most camps.

For other great activity ideas, check out the NSW Government’s Go Play website www.goplay.nsw.gov.au.

Bernard Bratusa Office of Communities Sport and Recreation

Frequently asked questions about camp

P&C JOURNAL 3534 P&C JOURNAL

The Science Experience is a program takes place in over thirty-seven universities and tertiary institutions, within many different laboratories and lecture theatres. Participants perform experiments in the laboratories, meet and hear senior lecturers in the lecture theatres, attend site visits and walk around and experience what it is like to be on the campus of a university or tertiary institution. More than 53,000 students have taken this rare opportunity, up to date.

Each program is designed to provide students who have an interest in science with an opportunity to engage in a wide range of fascinating science activities under the guidance of scientists who love their work. Woolgoolga High School had three Year 10 students, Charlotte, Pippa and Cheyenne attend the program at the University of New England Armidale.

The program also provides information about further studies in science, technology and engineering. It highlights the wide range of careers that allow students to pursue their interest and abilities in the sciences. Participants also have an opportunity to meet and share ideas with students from different schools.

The program for the University of New England Science Experience comprises a number of hands-on lab based activities as well as a few informative and entertaining talks and demonstrations. The activities include robotics, where students program remote controlled vehicles, chemistry, DNA extraction, exploring the physics of sound and music, and an opportunity to culture some of the microbugs found on and in all of us. Students also had the opportunity to observe and participate in an experiment in progress measuring methane emissions from cattle. The highlight of the Experience is the “Extreme Chemistry” show in which all five senses are intensely bombarded! On one of the evenings students visit the UNE sports complex and test their skills on the climbing walls and play pool sports, on another they visit the famous Dangar’s Falls, east of Armidale. By the end of the program all participants learn, science is a fun and interesting experience.

Megan Hart

Science is an

Experience from school fetes to

carnivals write to the p&c federation about your schools spirit! be a part of our p&c quarterly journal by

simply emailing your great school

stories to us! tell us about your school

community activities. email us now for your free copy!

‘get involved with p&c’

P&C JOURNAL 3736 P&C JOURNAL

2 teaspoons olive oil 1 clove garlic, crushed 100g portabella or shitake mushrooms, chopped4 spring onions, sliced 1 medium carrot, grated 3 cups Chinese cabbage, shredded 1 teaspoon reduced-salt soy sauce 1 teaspoon hoisin sauce 1 tablespoon chilli sauce 12 spring roll wrappers 1 egg white, lightly beaten

Dipping sauce 1/4 cup reduced-salt soy sauce 2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce 1 spring onion, chopped This recipe contains 7 serves of vegies.

Preheat oven to 200°C. Heat oil in a pan and stir-fry garlic, mushrooms, onions and carrot until lightly cooked. Stir in cabbage and cover until wilted.

Remove from heat and tip into a colander to drain any liquid. Return vegetables to pan, add sauces and toss. Divide mixture between wrappers, fold in sides and roll up. Brush rolls with egg white and place on a tray lined with baking paper. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Combine all dipping sauce ingredients. Serve spring rolls hot with dipping sauce.

VariationYou can use button mushrooms if you prefer.

These simple Asian recipes offer some great opportunities to add your own style by varying some of the ingredients. Your family can enjoy plenty of variety at the dinner table without you having to come up with new recipes all the time. Best of all these Asian recipes are quick to prepare and cook so you can spend less time in the kitchen.

One of the most common reasons for wasting food is cooking more than we need. Get your serves right by knowing how to measure the correct amount of food for the number of people you are cooking for. You will avoid food waste, save money, and reduce your impact on our environment. Check the Love Food Hate Waste web site for a handy serving size calculator to help you cook the correct amount of food.

200g dried rice noodles2 spring onion, sliced2 cup snow pea shoots (or mung bean sprouts)1 red capsicum, seeded and sliced2 tablespoon unsalted peanuts or cashews, chopped4 tablespoons coriander, chopped

Dressing4 tablespoons reduced-salt soy sauce2 teaspoon honey1 clove garlic, crushedJuice of 1 lemon

1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely choppedDaily intake: This recipe contains 3 serves of vegies.

Prepare noodles according to packet directions. Rinse under cold running water, drain and set aside. In a small bowl combine dressing ingredients. In a large bowl combine remaining ingredients. Pour dressing over the salad, add noodles and toss well.

VariationUse soba, somen, or egg noodles in this recipe. Use spinach leaves instead of snow pea shoots.

250g cooked Hokkien egg noodles 2 teaspoons oil 400g rump steak, sliced 1 medium brown onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 teaspoon ginger, peeled and grated ½ head broccoli, cut into florets 100g snow peas, ends and strings removed 2 tablespoons water 1 tablespoon oyster sauce 1 teaspoon cornflour ½ tablespoon reduced-salt soy sauce 1 teaspoon chilli sauceThis recipe contains 5 serves of vegies.

Prepare noodles following packet directions. Heat oil in pan, stir-fry beef in two batches, set aside and keep warm.

Add onion, garlic and ginger, cooking until onion is translucent. Add broccoli, snow peas and water, cooking until vegetables soften.

Return beef to pan. In a small bowl combine water, cornflour and sauces. Stir through beef and vegetables and allow to bubble and thicken. Serve immediately.

Thai noodle salad

Beef, Broccoli and snow pea sTir fry

Veggie spring rolls

Love Food Hate Waste aims to raise awareness of the food waste problem and provide tips, tools and recipes to help you waste less food, save money and our environment.

Visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au for more recipes and information.

Love Food Hate Waste is an initiative of the NSW Government and is managed by the NSW Environment Protection Authority.

Recipes have been provided by Go for 2&5. © State of Western Australia 2012, reproduced with permission.

20 minutes preparation + 5 minutes cooking – Serves 12

A tasty and easy option for lunch or dinner. 10 mins preparation – Serves 4

15 mins preparation + 10 mins cooking – Serves 4


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