Welcome to Term 1 2025

Term 1 is underway, welcome back to all parents and students returning to our Catholic schools and a very special welcome to those who are joining our Catholic School communities for the first time. It is an exciting time, as the year ahead offers promise and challenges, a chance to grow, improve and embrace the precious gift of education. As parents we have a huge role to play on this journey, we provide books and uniforms, pack lunches, drive for the Mum and Dad taxi service and play the role of the annoying alarm clock when they find getting up in the morning is just too hard!! We share in the joys, the great grades, the sporting wins, the magnificent art piece or dramatic performance. We cushion the lows, the struggles with subjects that are often beyond our understanding, the difficulties of fitting in, of finding their place in the herd. Parents might not wear brightly coloured capes but you are superheros none the less… take a moment and allow yourself to bask in the glow of the wonderful job you are doing.

If you are looking for a way to connect with and get involved in your school community, the school P&F might be the group you are looking for. It’s a great way to meet other parents and to gain a real understanding of, as well as impact what’s happening in your school community. Parents often feel that they have no relevant experience and this often prevents them from getting involved. If you have a passion for your child’s education and want to give them every opportunity to succeed, you are exactly the sort of person the P&F is looking for and you will be surprised how many people just like you are already members. Your school can provide you with details of meeting dates and the current members will be delighted to welcome you.

With the state election campaign now underway our current elected representatives and those seeking to replace them will be knocking on our doors to seek our support on March 8^th. Please ensure that you take the opportunity to inform them that you are a parent of a child in Catholic Education and that capital funding for our schools is an issue that will impact on how you vote. CEWA are advocating for 3 key funding priorities for our system, which will benefit you and your children. In summary, these are:

1. $25m in ongoing State Government Capital Funding to ensure students in WA Catholic Schools have parity with other students across Australia.
2. An additional one-off $100m over five years to address the legacy of capital underfunding for Catholic schools in the Kimberley.
3. The State Government meets $2m cost for insurance and risk management in the Kimberley and collaborates with CEWA in cases of uninsured losses.

With over 80,000 student enrolled in WA Catholic schools our parents voice is a strong one, especially if we all put this issue front and centre. As always if you need any more information on school funding the team at the CSPWA office will be glad to assist you.

Lent begins this year on March 5^th, as always the season of Lent is a chance for self-reflection and sacrifice as we journey towards Easter. As a Catholic community we are encouraged to go without so that those in need can be supported. The wonderful work that Caritas is doing in so many corners of the world is deserving of our support and we can all make a real difference to so many people in need. Let’s make an effort to spend some time discussing the Caritas “Project Compassion” program with our kids over the Lenten season, there are fantastic resources available on the Caritas website. Take some time to talk about the abundant blessings in our lives and our duty to support those who are less well off. Finally let’s encourage them to get involved in the schools Lenten fundraising efforts, teach them that they have the ability to give somebody else opportunities that we all take for granted.

On behalf of all at CSPWA I wish you all the best for the year ahead.

Alan Buckley – CSPWA President

NAPLAN

(National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy)

As parents, one of the most wonderful gifts we can give our children, besides our time, is that of a good education. One that provides them with opportunities to live good, productive lives. One that helps each child to reach their full potential not just academically, but culturally, physically, morally, spiritually and emotionally.

In order to be able to participate fully in today's society everyone should have the opputunity to be literate and numerate. Literacy and numeracy are key elements of all learning and without these basic skills many children will struggle to grow and understand the world around them. NAPLAN is just one of the tools teachers use to identify how children are progressing with these important skills. We often hear about the 'stress' of NAPLAN, however children probably become more stressed about it when they see the adults around them stressed. Therefore it is very important for us as parents to keep it in perspective and acknowledge that it is only a 'moment in time' assessment, albeit one that will assist our teachers in ensuring our children are moving in the right direction with their literacy and numeracy. 

ACARA (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority) have produced lots of useful information to assist parents understanding of NAPLAN. Please find below some information from the ACARA website.

Why do students do NAPLAN?
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake.

As students progress through their school years, it is important to check how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and numeracy. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards.

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with more information about students’ educational progress.

NAPLAN also provides schools, education authorities and governments with information about how education programs are working, and whether young Australians are achieving important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy.

What does NAPLAN assess?
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through their regular school curriculum. 

Students sit assessments in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The questions assess content linked to the Australian Curriculum: English and Mathematics. 

All government and non-government education authorities contribute to the development of NAPLAN test materials.

To find out more about NAPLAN, visit nap.edu.au.

Over 30 parents from surrounding schools joined in a very informative session facilitated ably by Nicole Beresford, CSPWA Support Officer. Nicole took everyone through the roles and responsibilities of those who nominate for the Catholic School P&F. Since the introduction of the new Terms of Reference for P&Fs, most schools have adjusted to the slightly altered ways of working, although there were still lots of questions about the role of Treasurer. Anyone who is still unclear about the responsibilities of this role should contact the office and Nicole will be more than happy to assist.

The School Parent Association Induction resource was also touched upon (https://www.parentassociation.com.au/) during the presentation and we highly recommend that those who take on roles on the committee complete this. Not only does it take participants through their roles and responsibilities, but it also provides additional information about Catholic education and the systems of schools our children and young people attend.

Completion of the online induction also satisfies the training requirements in the P&F Terms of Reference (point 7.5) P&F Committee members should participate in a CEWA approved information session in their initial year of membership.

Finally, a very positive unintended consequence of these evenings has been the opportunity for parents and carers from different schools to network with each other, sharing ideas, challenges and causes for celebration. Very often when a question is asked from the floor, a parent from another school may be able to provide a solution through what has worked for them at their school. This provides a wonderful way in which we can work together as a broader community of Catholic school parents.

CSPWA sincerely thank those who gave of their time to join us last night and we look forword to meeting those of you who have registered for the session at Emmanuel College on 5 March and also at Padbury Catholic Primary School on 12 March.

In the meantime, if you require any assistance or have difficulty in accessing the School Parent Association Induction, please don't hesitate to contact Nicole on 9338 9987.

Are you the P&F Chair?

The Chair should preside at all General Meetings of the P&F. In addition to that responsibility, the Chair should undertake several other tasks such as:

• BE IMPARTIAL
• Provide leadership for the P&F
• Act as the P&Fs representative
• Exercise some supervision of the functions of other Office Bearers
• Encourage parents and other to participate in the activities of the P&F and the school
• Actively pursue a collaborative working relationship with the Principal
• Set a warm and welcoming tone to the meeting
• Greet all members - new and established
• Ensure a quorum is present
• Maintain order of the meeting
• Ensure that members are aware of the minutes of the previous meeting and to obtain confirmation of these minutes
• Give all members the opportunity to speak but also confining speakers to the matters under discussion

Are you the P&F Deputy Chair?

The specific duty of a Deputy Chair is to act as Chairman at those meetings at which the Chair is absent.

In many P&Fs that is all that is required of a Deputy Chair, which means they operate during the year as just another member of the Committee, however, the Deputy Chair could be seen as a potential understudy to the Chair. Becoming familiar with the operation of the P&F and acquainting themselves with the duties of the Chair, including a working knowledge of meeting rules and procedures is advisable. 

Are you the P&F Secretary?

The Secretary of a P&F is in charge of:

• preparing and distributing the agenda and meeting papers in collaboration with the Chair and Principal, and where possible distributing with the draft minutes of the previous meeting,
• taking and recording proper and accurate minutes of meetings,
• formulating and posting all notices of meetings, and
• provide a list of the P&F Committee members and contact details to the Principal following the Annual Community Meeting.

Importantly, the Secretary is entrusted with maintaining the records of the P&F.

Are you the P&F Treasurer?

The Treasurer is responsible for providing feedback to the P&F in regards to the finances of the group, in the form of a financial report tabled at each meeting. It is important to understand that the Treasurer is the steward and not the owner of the funds. In line with the new P&F Terms of Reference, P&F receipt and payment of monies must be transacted through the school operating bank account, with the P&F funds quarantined for P&F endorsed use only.

As detailed in the P&F Terms of Reference guidelines, the Treasurer is required to:

• prepare and present a finance report at each P&F meeting;
• prepare and present the Annual Financial Report at the Annual Community Meeting;
• prepare the annual budget to support the P&F Annual Event Plan;
• support the P&F Committee to prepare a plan of how fundraising income received and P&F levies (if applicable) will be spent. The plan should be prepared in consultation with the School Leadership Team and the School Advisory Council, once a planning meeting has been conducted (see 11.9 P&F Terms of Reference);
• collect and bank monies from fundraising events;
• collate P&F reimbursement forms, petty cash receipts and supplier invoices and ensure they are correctly authorised before providing to school finance staff for payment;
• ensure grant acquittal requirements are met (if applicable); and
• ensure motions relating to finance decisions, including approval of donations to the school, are presented to P&F Committee (where applicable).

All Catholic schools must hold an appropriate insurance policy with Catholic Church Insurance to cover the P&F members and CEWA against losses for any unintentional wrongful act committed.

For more information, please go to our website: https://www.csp.wa.edu.au/parent-groups

Safer Internet Day was held on 11th February. It is a global day of action bringing communities, schools, organisations and families from more than 180 countries together to raise awareness of online safety issues and work towards a safer internet.

RAC have added to their free school road safety program, creating a new presentation for Year 10 students ‘Preparing for the Roads’.

This engaging and interactive presentation includes: 

• e-scooters – safety and the regulations around buying and riding e-scooters
• Passenger safety - seatbelts, distraction, and the role of passengers
• From L’s to P’s – tips for learning to drive, gaining on road experience and learning safe driving skills

 To learn more about this program and to encourage your school to book please visit Secondary school workshops | Community Education | RAC WA

School refusal is when a young person is highly distressed about going to school, leading to nonattendance. This distress can manifest through physical complaints or emotional reactions. Contributing factors may include anxiety, family issues, transitioning to a new school, or peer challenges like bullying. Unlike truancy, school refusal is often known by family and friends who struggle to get the young person to attend school.

Effects of School Refusal:

• Impacts learning and development
• Affects friendships and social standing
• The longer it persists, the harder it is to return to routine

Signs to Look Out For:

• Distress and anxiety about school
• Tearfulness and family conflicts before school
• Frequent physical complaints like headaches or stomach upsets
• Poor relationships with teachers
• Refusal to leave home or get out of the car for school
• Difficulty returning after breaks or school events
• Frequent absences, lateness, or time spent in the sick bay

Contributing Factors:

• Separation anxiety
• Worries about social interactions
• Changes in school environment
• Learning difficulties or teacher conflicts
• Anxiety about exams or public speaking
• Bullying or friendship issues
• Family issues like separation or illness

Support Strategies:

• Calmly discuss the young person's concerns about school
• Explore ways to manage worries and focus on strengths
• Learn relaxation techniques together
• Create a plan to manage school routines and social situations
• Collaborate with the school for a clear plan
• Consider professional support if needed

With the right support, it's possible to address school refusal effectively.

Resources: Raisingchildren.net.au and AndrewFuller.com.au

I can't believe we are almost at the end of week 3 already! I hope everyone has settled in nicely to first term and the children are enjoying their new classrooms and teachers. Some of you may have already hosted your first P&F meeting for the year and have started planning all of your events. I would like to take this opportunity to remind your committee that if you need any support around event planning, running efficient meetings, setting agendas, or governance requirements for P&Fs, please reach out to us as we can provide information and advice over the phone, or to the wider group at one of your meetings. We can also provide templates, and tip sheets so you don't have to start from scratch. For those P&Fs who have a brand new committee this year, we understand it can be a bit daunting initially, and we are here to offer specific support to you wherever it's needed in your school's unique context. 

This week I was lucky enough to be invited out to our newest Catholic School, St Marcellin Catholic College in Madora Bay, to meet with a wonderful group of parents who are interested in forming a St Marcellin Connect group at the school. Principal Anita provided an overview to the parents about the purpose and role of the P&F in a Catholic School and I provided some more detailed information about the committee roles, formats of the meetings, and together we shared ideas for events that could bring the school community together. It was such a lovely, positive experience.

I look forward to running the next two metro Parent Induction sessions on the 5th March and 12th March. We would love to see you there if you can make it to either session. The booking links are below. For regional schools, we are able to deliver an information session for you online, and can also send you the link to our recorded induction, once it is available.

North - Wednesday 12th March, 6pm at Padbury Catholic Primary School

South - Wednesday 5th March, 6pm at Emmanuel Catholic College

St Marcellin Catholic College, Madora Bay.