Home & School Association

Welcome to the Houghton Valley Home and School Community. If you have a child at the school you are immediately a part of the Home and School Community. How much you contribute is your decision. Most of us feel we get back much more than we thought we would! We are an important link for parents, the community, the staff and School Board. We are a robust group of parents working happily to support the school who work hard with our children. Home and School meetings are productive and fun. We make sure there are opportunities for people to be involved and build friendships. Representatives from the School Board and staff meet with us to keep information flowing about the happenings at the School. We meet monthly to talk about events. Information is then passed on through the school newsletter, class representatives or in the minutes of our meetings. The more we work together, the more fun we have and the happier the entire Houghton Valley Community.

Home & School Association Meeting

Tuesday 7th September 2010 7:30pm in the Staff Room

Minutes

1. Present

Barry Schon (Principal), Lara Nemet (Teachers’ Representative), Vanya Schoeler (Chairperson), Tanya Taylor (Treasurer), Victoria Askew, Sarah FQ (BoT), Ross Pickard (BoT), Tanea Chapman, Jane Dunbier, Caroline McGlinchy, Mairanga White

2. Apologies

Vidette Bussell, Pippa Lee, Helen Hoffman

3. Minutes of previous meeting

Just a few items not recorded but to be covered in this meeting.

4. Matters arising

  • Sandpit – Jane Dunbier arranged a viewing with the “experts” to determine ways of rodent proofing the sandpit.  They discussed ways of completely sealing off the sandpit & the whether water blasting the shade cloth would work.  Discussion included the possibility of extending the sandpit out the back with using a cloth cover for protection. Perhaps excavate out a flat 3-4 metre wide area and use tyres to surround the sandpit as a barrier/border (filled with excavated dirt).  This may interfere with Dave’s vegetable garden so would need to discuss options with him.  Discussed keeping the trellis or replace with clear-light.  Barry has requested a sketch drawing of the proposed sandpit improvements with a price – Jane to follow up.  Suggest this working bee weekend, we clean the sand with water & water blast shade cloth.
  • Kitchen – Vanya handed out an updated list of kitchen items required.  She has spent $250 on essential items. A new microwave is required so prices are being sourced. Other essential items are to be purchased when Briscoes have their next sale!
  • A total of approximately 70-80K has been spent on the kitchen to date (which includes insurance, construction, permits, power, joinery etc).
    • Basic summary of spending (figures tbc):  20K spent on the hall in 2005.  In 2006 it was decided to build a kitchen.  Money held by BoT was divided into two lots – a “reserve” and “litchen fund” (library/kitchen).  12K for the Librarian.  25K for Flying Fox.  Old pupils donated money at the Jubilee.  H&S donated 20K for library carpet, shelving, seating & circulation desk – balance not used for the library is now to be used for additional kitchen shelving & possible flip-top servery.
    • Suggestion made to load Board & HS minutes onto the HVS website, so people can easily see/read what is being discussed at these meetings.  Also, to gain a greater understanding of who we are & what we do.  Barry to follow up.
    • The school piano is to be/needs to be tuned (which HVS will pay for, not Ed).  It was asked if there was any possibility to have an additional piano tutor, as lots of kids are on the waiting list. Barry to discuss with Ed.
    • Tennis nets – Geoff Bussell to complete soon – Pak ‘n Save would like to present a cheque in front of the erected nets & photographed (publicity).
    • Jos (Reading Recovery) currently gives IT support in Peter Holmstead’s class.  There was concern as to whether Peter might need additional IT assistance, as he may find he gets too busy and we would hate to lose his talented musical contribution in the school.  Barry advised that at this stage, looking for or employing an additional IT person is not required.
    • Storage space – besides the music room, other suggestions being discussed with the Board.
    • Ceilidh – it was a great night, no profit made but an excellent evening!!  Would be good to do an outdoor Ceilidh, at perhaps the next HVS family picnic where the children can get involved too.  Would require a band that would be more affordable for this type of occasion.

5. Teachers’ report

Provided by Lara Nemet:

  • WOW – involving all classes.  Juniors have their show on the 16th September – individual parent help required with costumes.
  • There is a performance assembly on Friday (next week) – auditions to be held on the Wednesday.
  • Parent teacher conferences went well with good feedback.
  • Year 6 outing to Wellington Indoor Sports Centre coming up.  The Year 6 leadership group organizes events for their group to help others (like the hot chocolate drink initiative – fundraising for UNICEF). At the Indoor Sports Centre, they will pay $8 to play 3 sports.
  • Katie to do a forest cleanup with the children – pruning the rain forest etc.
  • Homework Survey – feedback still coming in.  The more forms that come back the clearer the picture of how things are going!
  • Peer Mediation – staff to do training for this at the beginning of next year (the two days before school starts back).  Beneficial to both parents & kids.
  • Reading garden – seating, mural, etc being planned.
  • Parking – the recently painted yellow dotted lines are ensuring that correct parking is happening.  Barry would like these yellow lines to also be painted opposite the bus stop but council are unable to action this as yet.  Jane is to contact the council re laying more shingle down on the lower car park area, due to the rather large puddles around!!
  • Parents coming in to do some reading with kids.
  • Bangers & Maths night – was a great turnout!

6. Treasurer’s report

Nothing to report.  All fine.

Moved by Sarah / Seconded by Jane

7. Board report

    Provided by Ross:

    • Board has been focusing on the National Standards – which is what Barry has also been focusing on in the HVS newsletter.
    • What the Board does and is – getting information out there for people to read & know.  Annual plan for next year being created.
    • Draft minutes from Board meetings are to be displayed on school notice board for all to read.
    • Board only meets twice a term.
    • Look at population of the school – school direction depends on roll numbers.  Roll looks set to stay at around 200.

    8. Correspondence

      • Nothing of interest.