CSPWA AGM
The 66th Annual General Meeting for Catholic School Parents took place via Zoom on Thursday 18th June 2020. As many of you will know the CSPWA AGM usually takes place as part of our biennial conferences. Unfortunately, Conference 2020 had to been cancelled this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As with many, many others, we have become regular users of online meeting methods, and we were delighted to have so many parents join us on the evening via Zoom.
Parents from 22 schools took time out of their evening to take part in and access the annual reports provided.
In addition to the tabling of reports and usual meeting protocols, the AGM provides the opportunity for parents from affiliated schools to nominate for CSPWA council and we were delighted to have all councillors from last year re-nominate with the exception of CSPWA President, Helen Anderson, who is retiring from the council as her children have now finished school and also long-serving councillor Agnes Weymouth who has retired.
However, the good news is that there were two new nominations to the council. These were:
Belinda Stewart from St Elizabeth’s, Hocking and
Michelle Frances from Holy Cross, Ellenbrook.
We also welcome back:
Anna Wood, St Kierans, Tuart Hill
Alan Buckley, Bunbury Catholic College, Bunbury
Catherine Howarth, Frances Jordan, Currumbine
Kate Price, St Anthony’s, Greenmount
Marina Hayward, Mater Christi, Yangebup
Rebecca Furfaro, Salvado College, Byford
Richard Bone, Mercy College, Koondoola
Simone Northcott, St Maria Goretti, Redcliffe
CSPWA, according to our constitution have the capacity to have an additional five more council members. We are currently following up with some parents from the dioceses of Geraldton and Broome, as we feel it vitally important that the voice of the rural and remote parent is heard at the table. However, we would be very happy to hear from 2-3 parents who feel they would like to serve the wider Catholic school parent community, through participation on CSPWA Council. For anyone who would like additional information as to what the role entails, please don’t hesitate to contact Siobhan on 0409 025 683 for further information. The key pre-requisite is that you have a child in a school which is currently affiliated with Catholic School Parents WA.
CSPWA staff congratulate all council members on their nomination and we look forward to working hard with all of you in the year ahead, continuing our commitment to those parents who chose a Catholic education for their children
Helen, outgoing president of CSPWA, as you will have read in her introduction to this newsletter has served on council for over 13 years. Siobhan Allen through the AGM commended Helen on her long term commitment, in particular driving up from Albany to attend meetings at one stage 8 times a year! In a state as big and diverse as WA is, Helen consistently brought the voice of the rural and remote parent to the table and educated all of us on the challenges for families who live outside the Perth metropolitan area. Helen is deeply committed to her faith, and we have seen this faith in action regularly over the years through her constant availability to contribute as and when required. In her most recent role on council as President, Helen has been a source of support for the office staff and council alike.
Finally but certainly not least, Helen is passionate about parents and the wonderful contribution they make to Catholic education communities and never misses a chance to encourage their participation in the life of their school. Helen will be sorely missed although we know we will always be able to call on her for support and input.
The 67th AGM will take place next year as part of Conference 2021.
See you all then!