Meeting+Agenda+April+1st+2009

MECS Meeting April 1st 2009 - Venue South Kempsey Staff Room Allison Mitchell (flooded in) Ian was asked to outline the situation about the 4 schools moving. Rob discussed his conversations with Peter Haigh yesterday at a regional meeting Sue spoke about her issues and recent contact with Robyn Hunt which aligned with what Ian had passed on to us David raised some issues that he had canvassed from colleagues present and absent around Leo asked about a possibility of a Macleay based SED due to the number of PSP and PAS schools Bob discussed the feeling that as a group of schools that we miss out. Garry didn't think that it would affect PSSA membership, but that it would impact on PPA due to clash with network meetings and the long term example that we have seen with Eungai/scotts head/Macksville. Ian responded with some information about the discussion between himself and Robyn Hunt Sue responded about issues with local learning communities. Ian explained that it is a trial. We could identify a committee to look at it after the period of a trial.
 * Agenda**
 * Apologies:** Mick Eller ( Staff Meeting), Paul Lynch ( Bus Duty), Arthur (flooded in), Wayne Craig (relay)
 * Present**: Bob, Lyn, Ian Northam, Merv Bourke, Leo, Janice, Sue, Jenny, Hugh, David, Rob, Dace Elletson, Garry Cook
 * Ian Northam** - attending to discuss the situation that has arisen fron the impending move of the 4 schools to the MNC SEG.
 * situation of both seds retiring at the same time and creating an opportunity to
 * meeting organised with the 4 principals
 * consultation was not extensive
 * Ian spoke to principals the following day for further isues and then spoke to region with Robyn about the 4 schools moving to MNC SEG
 * aligns the segs more equitably
 * change in administrative boundaries not e.g. changing HS or learning communities

More general dicsussion after Ian left.

Rob Bourke Motion: "As the DET has determined that the schools: Kinchela, Gladstone, Smithtown and Bellimbopinni are to be removed from the Macleay Educational Community of Schools and the Hastings School Area Group without reasonable and appropriate consultation with the communities involved, and as this proposed change will effectively and logistically undermine the execution of this organisation's goals, it is resolved to disband the MECS at the conclusion of semester one, after our present committments are fulfilled." Seconded: Jenni Griffiths Discussion for and Against Vote11 for Against 1 Abstaining 1 - Declare the motion carried. David will forward the results of the motion to Peter Haigh, Ian Northam, Robyn Hunt and Mark Youngblutt tomorrow.

**Student leadership Camp Term 2** - Jenny and David providing update - Jenny provided packs for each school. Blue dots mean you must give it back to Jenny this term. Impending changes to District for some MECS schools - discussion around the impact this may have on MECS and what can we do about this? see above We need more support from the schools to make it bigger and better. High schools on board a bit earlier. All Idol events to be conducted this year. A day to Lyn from the MECS levy - moved by Rob, 2nd by Jen. Very pleased with the honesty of schools about performers and the subsequent standard. Drama festival - tba as it gets closer - end of term 3. We want a staff performance - pick a song and tell us how we practice. Male choir for students - send boys names to Janice. Staff that came along on the day were great.
 * Human Sign Project** - David update on progress and possible dates for the human sign project - EKPS, CHPS, WPS still need to watch the DVD. David will try and organise copies for them. Rob and Mick curretnly have DVDs to show thier staff. Put your ideas on the wiki for the message that your school will use on the day so there is no overlap.
 * Aspiring leaders** – MECS - we applied for this money and we are going to use some of it with Sue and Dace - Does anyone have aspiring leaders that would like to participate in this process? This is a Hastings initiative and is available to all schools - HS and PS. There is an additional section that we can utilise for a situation e.g. like Dace and Sue.
 * Idol review** - Lyn and Janice - update on the succes of Idol and requirements for it to continue this year
 * Upcoming events:**
 * NAIDOC**- still haven't been able to determine any information about NAIDOC day from the committee, David is waiting for the call back from KSC. Concerns about the structure of the march.
 * MECS Music Festival** - great training day, music has gone out - 25th May Monday of education week - Melville HS - solo and group. No dance.
 * MECS transition plan and grant**- $10 000 - We submiited a Transition plan following the meeting last year. David got feedback from Rob and Mick and we sent it in. It was distributed for pre-reading for this meeting. Please get feedback to David about the plan. I assume we will have the money soon.
 * Spring Into Art Festival** - Janice has booked this for Week 5 Term 3 from Aug 24 - 28. The gallery is booked out all year and it has been very difficult to get a date. We need to book an annual event. School staff and a teacher award - keep it reasonable.
 * Southern Networks Dance Festival** - Week 8 Term 2 on June 17 and 18 - EOI were due last Friday unbelievable response. Email Janice if you still haven't put something in. No singing.
 * Half Show holiday** - who is doing it, what have we decided? - Lyn discussed issue with show holiday. WKPS and KHS doing it
 * ISTB/PBL COS Update** - Lyn will update this issue for us. - lyn sent an email out, Dave, Rob, Lyn, Sandra are the comittee. Send behaviour referrals to Lyn, contact her if we need the email resent. PBL is part of our ISTB caseload. Lyn has an ISTB position vacant at her school and will fill by merit next term.
 * Assets Maintenance Contract meeting up-date** - Janice relayed the info passed around by the email from Buladelah Central Principal.