2013 PTA Chairpersons report for the AGM

20th March 2013 St Albans School PTA Chairperson’s report 2013 Firstly we would like to say a huge thank you to all the PTA members and PTA families. Without your commitment, ‘can do attitude’ and community spirit we would not be able to achieve all the amazing activities and fundraising throughout the year. I cannot say enough how thankful we are as co-chairperson’s. Number one of the list of achievements for 2012 has to be the Monster Fair. How extraordinary in the economic climate we live in that we received record prize donations, record attendance levels and record profits. And to top it all off a fantastic community event. A huge thank you to Debbie Van Heswyck for taking on the mammoth task of fair co-ordinator. The bulk of the profits from the fair are going towards the remediation work on our treasured pool. Each week we are getting closer to having our pool back. The Oak leaf cafe celebrated its 1st birthday in September. It continues to successfully bring people together and create a hub for the school community as well as raising funds. A massive thank you to our barista’s Matt, Sharon and John and to our PTA volunteers who give up their mornings to serve you coffee and sell 2nd hand uniform and hats. Caps were a new addition to uniform last year and have proven to be a successful option. Thanks to all who assisted with the research and purchasing of these. Thanks also to Judy for the continued work of looking after the 2nd hand uniform. Looking back it’s hard to believe that we managed to fit in another successful Quiz night, thanks to Tracey for organising this. We also held two successful disco’s, sushi and sausage sizzles throughout the year, entertainment books, calendars, and an international food day, Once again the PTA supported school in other ways as well through lost property, staff morning teas, soup on interview nights, new family evenings, head boy and girl sweatshirts, camp donations, ice blocks, acorn fund, library books, pavement art, class beautification projects, furniture and cushions for the library and the year 6 leaving function. Thank you to Jane and Sarah our office bearers for administrating the PTA and for the huge amount of work they do on every event. A special thank you to Sarah Johnston our outgoing secretary. This is Sarah’s last year at St Albans school as a parent and unfortunately she is not here tonight. Sarah has quite literally been the back bone of this PTA for many years, she has served as co-chair and has been a fabulous PTA member all round. We are really going to miss Sarah when Nate leaves at the end of this year. To the leadership team of Ginnie, Glen and Claire thank you! Thank you also to all the teachers, administration staff and Heather for your ongoing support and enthusiasm for the PTA and your professional attitude and sense of humour. We look forward to another year of working together. On a personal note, I would like to say how much I have enjoyed being chair and co-chair of the PTA, we are so lucky to have such a fantastic group of people on the PTA and in our school community. The fact that we get to have a few laughs, while we are busy working away for the school has made being chair that much easier. I have been able to learn such a lot about how a school runs and have nearly got over my fear of public speaking. A huge thank you to Ginnie for always being so supportive of all our questions and ideas. To Mandy my fellow out going co-chair, thank you so much for taking on this role with me, it has been fantastic and I look forward to a Market day together this year! I look forward to supporting our new chair. Karen I just want to say on a personal level that never before have I been in a position where I have felt so much that my back was covered and there is such a wonderful spirit of getting the job done. After becoming co-chair I went back to full time work and did not have as much time to commit to the PTA as I would have liked. So again huge thanks to Karen (you are amazing) and to you all for doing so much with such grace and humour. I look forward to continuing to help wherever I can at school and as part of the PTA for a few years to come. Mandy. Karen Wiese, Co Chairperson Mandy Perry, Co Chairperson