tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post7712992749485107464..comments2024-02-23T20:03:41.543+11:00Comments on Clairey Hewitt: Making a changeClaireyHewitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15709892778460619439noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post-74876142721920546562013-03-22T15:45:27.176+11:002013-03-22T15:45:27.176+11:00Yep, and this is the FIRST year ever that the fee ...Yep, and this is the FIRST year ever that the fee has been introduced, so until now we have been a totally free school. Well, in recent years anyway. I really think that when the school opened 60 years ago the local parents would have invested in it heavily. 70K a year in funds to our school would be like a gazillion dollars. It is already a really great school, imagine the potential with such funds! And, this is what I keep hearing from other friends and family. If the other schools can do it, then there is no reason why our school can't too. Time for me to get very squeaky.Claireyhewitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04848058653374768316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post-32688566043940927972013-03-22T15:30:53.375+11:002013-03-22T15:30:53.375+11:00I was floored when I heard that only a third of fa...I was floored when I heard that only a third of families pay the voluntary contribution. It makes me realise how lucky my kids are. At our school, I reckon that figure is more like 99% and our school has been able to purchase some amazing stuff and to pay for specialist teachers in Japanese, science and music. <br /><br />In addition to that, we have one annual fundraiser and there is so much support for it. It's a gala night with auctions etc. Every year they raise lots of money. Last year it raised about $70 000. <br /><br />It really is a mindset. I have not met one parent in the school who thinks the voluntary fee isn't worth it. I think it's because generations of parents have dug deep year after year and we have such an amazing public school to thank them for. We only think it's fair that we continue to do so for the long term good of our school. <br /><br />I hope you can be that squeaky wheel in the P & C. I think you can definitely make a difference. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post-45755951450014734372013-03-22T15:25:08.732+11:002013-03-22T15:25:08.732+11:00Thanks Jodi, I will certainly start off enthusiast...Thanks Jodi, I will certainly start off enthusiastic...hopefully I don't fall at the first knock back.Claireyhewitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04848058653374768316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post-75925277019479092182013-03-22T15:23:32.369+11:002013-03-22T15:23:32.369+11:00Pretty sure my parents created groups when there w...Pretty sure my parents created groups when there were none, always out gathering the masses to get things organised - may be this is why I have done the opposite and until now, barely joined a thing.Claireyhewitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04848058653374768316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post-52023914393279834012013-03-22T15:22:03.579+11:002013-03-22T15:22:03.579+11:00Well of course Bron, because we all know, "I...Well of course Bron, because we all know, "If you want something done, ask a busy person" is one of the most accurate sayings to ever exist.Claireyhewitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04848058653374768316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post-20864179998913613242013-03-22T15:02:27.715+11:002013-03-22T15:02:27.715+11:00My mum was on every committee possibly, school we ...My mum was on every committee possibly, school we call it P&c here a and brownies and I think it just went without saying that I would do the same, plus I am a social worker, we can't help but be involved. mybeardedpigeon@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15255096578370542485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post-6237001297766084842013-03-22T14:50:09.815+11:002013-03-22T14:50:09.815+11:00But it's also WAY too hard when you're a &...But it's also WAY too hard when you're a "do-er" and everyone just takes advantage of the fact that you are. They actually come up to me in the playground and ask how their kids' reading is going in the classroom. Lady, if you wanna know, come and do the reading yourself?! Or "Bron, why don't they do something about the trees by the footpath"? Lady, I am not "they"! I swear I'm not... or maybe I am? xMaxabellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15761220164069379437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post-48073801486457135112013-03-22T14:48:46.886+11:002013-03-22T14:48:46.886+11:00Good for you Claire! I'm sure you will be acce...Good for you Claire! I'm sure you will be accepted and your ideas welcomed. Sometimes it takes a fresh, enthusiastic face to get things rolling. Good luck!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09651116248452404269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post-346704614440655912013-03-22T14:47:05.554+11:002013-03-22T14:47:05.554+11:00I may have to do a live twitter chat of a P and F ...I may have to do a live twitter chat of a P and F meeting!Claireyhewitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04848058653374768316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post-78679712780640808992013-03-22T14:40:42.985+11:002013-03-22T14:40:42.985+11:00I've done it at Poss' school since Prep in...I've done it at Poss' school since Prep in some capacity or another. It can be frustrating, it can be slow, it can be a huge time suck, but overall, it's been a super positive experience and I wouldn't change it for anything. We have met some wonderful people and I have friends from all different year levels now, instead of just our class. Good on you Claire!Renee | About a Bugghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05304684663564648884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post-33045174996918352032013-03-22T14:34:11.550+11:002013-03-22T14:34:11.550+11:00Thanks Rosie - um, any suggestions on exactly whic...Thanks Rosie - um, any suggestions on exactly which activities they might be...Claireyhewitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04848058653374768316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post-35212188367858618602013-03-22T14:22:56.479+11:002013-03-22T14:22:56.479+11:00I love the herbs and bulb idea and the Aussie Farm...I love the herbs and bulb idea and the Aussie Farmers one - Shall be attending armed with ideas, thank you!Claireyhewitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04848058653374768316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post-31050698710565227642013-03-22T13:57:34.211+11:002013-03-22T13:57:34.211+11:00I was a committee member of my child's daycare...I was a committee member of my child's daycare for about 10 months (doing the listening before acting thing!) before taking on active roles in fundraising and as the secretary. I love being able to have a say in how the daycare is operated and will probably continue an active role on school committees in years to come. I think it's important and even though my time is stretched with other commitments, I want to make the time as I feel I don't have a place to grumble about how things are done if I don't do it in the right forum. Someone has to do it so I am happy to put my hand up. Fundraising activities - the things that take minimal effort with maximum $ always work brilliantly :) Good luck and hope you have fun :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241217588747431152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post-23981060519946015542013-03-21T22:06:53.979+11:002013-03-21T22:06:53.979+11:00Replace the chocolate drive with herbs and bulbs. ...Replace the chocolate drive with herbs and bulbs. Not too much to organise, and a good message to kids. Kiddie cutters also do fundraising for groups and for those families using Aussie farmers, they'll donate 2% of people's order to the school. We're heavily involved in the Australian Multiple Birth Association and fundraising is so key. Well done for getting involved, it's well worthwhile. Carohutchisonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post-46981613486354023112013-03-21T21:53:25.946+11:002013-03-21T21:53:25.946+11:00Yep, I think we will be smallish things to start w...Yep, I think we will be smallish things to start with - but I really want to get rid of the chocolate drive before Popps leaves the school - I have 6 years!Claireyhewitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04848058653374768316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post-36103758044746732192013-03-21T21:52:39.123+11:002013-03-21T21:52:39.123+11:00Yes Kymmie! The hairdresser was talking about how ...Yes Kymmie! The hairdresser was talking about how 'someone' should get the trees watered across the road from her, it would be so nice for them to survive. All I could think was "Lady, you use up a gazillion litres of water a day in here, maybe throw a few buckets on the trees once a day and they will thrive". But of course I sat quietly and nodded - can't risk upsetting the hairdresser early on.Claireyhewitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04848058653374768316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post-75649769572085883422013-03-21T21:47:38.562+11:002013-03-21T21:47:38.562+11:00Lots of listening before acting. Transparency - in...Lots of listening before acting. Transparency - in what you do and what you expect from others. I agree with your sentiments though - we all need to be willing to be psrt of the change. AND one or two big things that make lots of money are much better than 50 things that make little dollars. Alli @ Ducks on the damhttp://www.ducksonthedam.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615960162747995029.post-77786670730902207152013-03-21T21:30:24.593+11:002013-03-21T21:30:24.593+11:00That's the spirit Claire! I have a saying, &qu...That's the spirit Claire! I have a saying, "If it has to be, it's up to me". I know it's not exactly my very own words, but I don't like it when someone says 'somebody' else should do something about it. Why not them? Why not me? Of course there is a limit to this sort of comradeship. So finding the fine line is also a good thing to know, otherwise people like us do everything while others do nothing.<br /><br />All the best with your meeting. Should be fun! xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09345662692259541964noreply@blogger.com