PTSA AGM Minutes - 18th Feb 2009

MINUTES

OF THE PTSA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE FAIRMONT HIGH SCHOOL

ON WEDNESDAY, 18^TH FEBRUARY 2009

• Jessica Cooper welcomed everybody present. 

• Jessica Cooper asked  for Proposer and Seconder for the acceptance of the above minutes of which copies were made available for any interested parties. 

Proposer  -  Juliet Hoenck

Seconder  -  Cherylleigh Robinson

3. CHAIRPERSONS  REPORT

The Objectives of the PTSA are:

• promoting fellowship amongst parents teachers students;
• helping the Board of Governors in promoting the best interests of the school and it's       students;  and last but not least
• fund-raising.

The Executive Committee conducts and guides the activities of the PTSA in achieving these objectives.  The Executive Committee is very much a working committee, not a place to drink tea and chat.

2008 was a good year for the PTSA.  The Committee once again was guided primarily by the first objective of fellowship.

We started the year by organizing the curtains and blinds for the Multi Purpose Centre, from the funds raised in 2007.

Our first event of the year was the Arts Festival, 2 evenings of Art works and Classical Music, culminating in a concert by leading classical guitarist James Grace, as well as other young classical artists from our own and other schools.

After this we held a dance with Back on Track.  This was great fun, but pretty poorly supported by parents and teachers.  Those who did go can attest to the fun and the opportunity to get to know other parents.

In June, we had the Settler’s Contact Sports Day here at Fairmont, and the PTSA arranged all the food.  That was highly successful.

We tried for another dance in August, but I’m afraid that fell flat, with no support.  We had to cancel with the band.

On more of the fund raising side, now that the MPC was more kitted out, we were able to rent it out a bit, and bring in some funds that way.  This is a fund raising area that can really be expanded on in the future.

Through these other activities, we had the long hard climb to the big Festival!  Last year’s festival was fantastic - a real bumper event where kids, parents and teachers all had lots of fun and where we raised a good amount of money for the school.  We had a record number of people through the gates, and more stalls and events than ever before.

In total Fundraising events brought in excess of R100,000 profit last year, which is a sharp increase on the previous 2 years.  The PTSA and Board of Governors are still to decide how best to use this for the school.

If anyone would like to look at detailed accounting, it is available.

I would like to thank my executive committee who worked so hard over the whole year, and were so dedicated.  I would also like to thank the class reps, the teachers,  as well as that core of special parents who are always there when we need help.  Thanks also to all the parents who supported the events held.  And finally most importantly thanks to the students - the reason for all our work.

Special thanks to 2 long serving PTSA members who have now left our ranks:

Sandra de Villiers;  and

Marcelle Jansen.

My message again for this year:  Please get involved!  Do it for your children.  If you want the best for your child you have to get involved in their school life.  It's that simple!

We have another great year planned.  We hope to get the MPC hiring even better this year, we will be having the Arts Festival again, and a Breakfast, a dance, and of course the Festival.

There is an enthusiastic committee willing to do all this, but they really need all of your help.

We need help in all these areas.  And the reason again:  Because, in helping your school, you help your child.

Again, thanks to everyone for a wonderful 2008!

4.   ELECTION OF PTSA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND CLASS REPS

• Jessica reiterated the Objectives of the PTSA
• Roles and requirements of the Class Reps / Grade Reps

Class Reps

• Communication between the Executive Committee and parents on the PTSA
• Participation in Sub-Committees

Grade Reps

• Serve on the PTSA Executive Committee
• Responsible for organizing planned PTSA functions / activities
• Formation of Sub-Committees as required

5.   ELECTION PROCESS

The structure of the Executive Committee is to have:

• 10 parents representing the grades – 2 from each grade
• Other co-opted interested parents
• 2 teachers
• 2 students
• The Principal or Deputy
• A Board of Governor’s representative