Dear Parents/Carers.

PREP AND YEAR ONE PLAYGROUNDS

At present we are still waiting on the supply of sand and bark to replenish our playgrounds. We have not been able to use either of our forts since the storm. This is due to the availability of materials and the fact that contractors are stretched across a huge number of jobs at present. Thankyou to those that provided feedback on the Prep and Year 1 Playground designs. The main trends of this feedback included:

• More shade
• A larger variety of games and zones
• More nature play elements and climbing equipmeng for gross motor development.
• Like monkey bars
• Like sandpits

We have provided feedback to the playground designers and we will await their revised designs before moving both playgrounds to tender.

P AND C ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

On Monday March 14, the Craigslea State School held our P and C Meeting. We have a strong and vibrant P and C and this group of people contribute greatly to our school. I would like to thank those who put their hand up for the executive and sub-committees (many of them again!) 

Elizabeth Lynch: President (returning)

Sarah Hands:     Vice-President (returning)

Joel Miller:         Vice-President (even helped us mow the Prep grass last week 

                         before he went to work so off to a good start-lol!)

Paul Madey:       Treasurer (returning)

Position Vacant:  Secretary (We need to urgently fill this position. Thanks to Brad

                         Scott for taking minutes at the last meeting)

Position Vacant:  Grants officer. There are some large grants available that would 

                         be great if we could access so we need to fill this position with 

                         some urgency.

SCHOOL COUNCIL NOMINEES

At the P and C Meeting there is not a lot of time to discuss and plan for the big picture strategic issues for our school. Holding a School Council Meeting once per term helps to shape the long term improvement of the school. These council members will serve for a period not exceeding three years. Please read the profiles of the nominees attached and next Monday the school community will receive an opportunity to vote via email to register their vote. The three nominees with the largest number of votes as at Thursday March 31, will receive a seat on the school council for the next three years.

The nominees (in alphabetical order) are: 

Sara Gollschewski
How you believe you could contribute to the School Council: With two children at the school I have a vested interested in the school's strategic direction. I have committee experience, both through my work and professional associations (Public Health Association QLD Branch - Past President, Secretary and committee member). In my job, I am responsible for developing and implementing strategic research goals. I believe I can make a positive contribution to the School Council.

Kiara Hartley
How you believe you could contribute to the School Council: I have a background in property management and marketing and currently work in the vocational training sector, leading the admin and government handling of the traineeships and apprenticeships offered by 99 Bikes. I have experience with the needs of neurodiverse children and adults, being a parent/aunt/wife to family members that are neurodiverse. I also have experience in IT.

Nadia Hordern
How you believe you could contribute to the School Council: I have been involved in our children's education over the last 14 years, this being our fifth child into the qld education system. I have previously had 4 other children attend two different primary schools and 3 different high schools, giving me a diverse insight into state and private education in Brisbane. I have been a member of the school council at another Brisbane state primary school a number of years ago. I am currently the president of a local community kindergarten.

Charmaine Manewell
Previous Experience: P&C Grants Officer, P&C Sustainability Subcommittee member, tuckshop volunteer, class book swap, parent swimming volunteer, PCR since 2019.
How you believe you could contribute to the School Council: As someone with previous experience in developing education packages and strategic documents, I believe I have the necessary skill set to support the school with these functions. As a parent, I'm very interested to hear more about the school's strategic direction and the plans and policies the school wishes to implement over the next two years. I am excited to contribute in this meaningful way.

Jonathan Pelly
How you believe you could contribute to the School Council: I work in manufacturing management and have experience in leadership, project management, and strategy.

Liz Ryan
How you believe you could contribute to the School Council: As an educator myself I feel that I could contribute to discussions and decisions with my experience. I am a passionate educator who believes that school should be about developing 'the whole child' not just their ability to regurgitate curriculum knowledge.  Craigslea SS is such a great school, I'd love to help it be even better by being on the council.

Emi Scott
How you believe you could contribute to the School Council: As a teacher, I know what is happening at other schools and can bring ideas. As a mum, I have the parent point of view.

Chelsea van Riet
Previous Experience: P&C
How you believe you could contribute to the School Council: As an advocacy manager I have significant strategic business, research, and marketing expertise to share for the school's benefit.

Kyron Williams
Previous Experience: Assisted with the last school fete; assisted with 2021 graduation; nominated for active school travel committee; father of 2021 school captain. 
How you believe you could contribute to the School Council: I believe I can contribute strongly to the school Council through my 20 years experience in managing and consulting for non for profit organisations and sporting clubs, with a particular focus on strategic planning, corporate governance, financial management and grant applications and acquittals. I am currently the manager of the community leasing team at Brisbane City Council managing over 600 community facilities throughout Brisbane, through this role I can bring strong contract management, policy writing and review, understanding of relevant legislation and procurement processes.

TRAFFIC AND NEIGHBOURS

The streets around Craigslea is a busy place. I am afraid I am at the age and stage where I hold onto even more tightly to the belief that good manners and courtesy grease the wheels of life. We rely on the goodwill of our neighbours and passing traffic so they don't phone and complain to Council, Police etc which if they do, will result in parking tickets and even more limited options for parking around our school. 

Recently, there have been incidents where our neighbours have been treated poorly through poor driving and parking decisions as well as our parents/carers walking through the middle of our neighbour's yards and losing the plot when they get challenged. Homes are our sanctuary particularly for those who have retired from work and want to maintain their grass without people tramping through the middle of it, when they can just walk a few extra steps and stick to the council-owned footpath.

I have been told by parents and staff that the behaviour in the parent carpark is becoming increasingly dangerous in the afternoons as there are multiple cars that come in, don't use a parking spot and then park in front of cars to wait for their children and then are moving forwards and backwards letting cars in and out.This is potentially dangerous behaviour with children walking to cars.  If such behaviours continue, as safety manager for the site, I will need to consider closing the carpark for a period. Consider parking a distance away and walking in or arriving a bit closer to 3.20pm, when the traffic eases.

I'd ask that our school community be considerate by thinking: Is your driving and parking safe and courteous? (reversing out or within the parent carpark isn't); not parking where it clearly states not to park, parking where you are going to impede other cars or traffic, parking in congested streets making it impossible for neighbours to access their driveways or to drive through the middle of cars parked opposite each other in a tight space. Walk a little further. Keeping our neighbours happy is good for us all, they will be a little village around your children when they are needed (we have needed them before and they have been there for us) and they won't complain about our cars (needlessly) resulting in further restrictions and fines.

Have a good week,

Kathy