SSOT - Brisbane Bayside Project
Community Reference Group Meeting
Brisbane Bayside – SOUTH
Date: / 4th September 2007Participants: / JTA (Chair), Principal & P & C representatives from: Wondall Heights SS , Manly West SS, Manly SS, Lota SS , Wynnum SHS, Principal Darling Point SS, Environmental Education Centre, Community Reps-Wynnum Manly leagues Club, CEO-BABI, QTU-Regional Organiser
Observers / SSOT Projects Brisbane Bayside Manager, SSOT Director and Assistant Director, Acting Principal Lota SS Term 4, Acting Regional Executive Director Greater Brisbane Region
1.0 Introduction
The meeting chair circulated the Agenda, Terms of Reference and meeting schedule. The Terms of Reference were discussed at length and the role of the Community Reference Group clarified. This role includes the following responsibilities:
a) review and consider information collected through the community consultation process
b) consider demographic information presented or supplied by specialist consultants
c) consider information on the condition of facilities at schools within the project area
d) communicate information to the local community and collect community feedback
e) consider and advise on the suitability of proposals and make recommendations for improvements
f) consider and make recommendations about potential curriculum enhancements in the project area
g) provide advice to DETA, through the project steering committee, on the preferred options for the project area.
The output from each CRG will be a document incorporating the collective view on:
a) a proposed educational vision for the cluster of schools
b) a proposed concept plan for facilities across the cluster of schools
c) three proposed options for renewal with preferences indicated
WEB_Minutes_CRG_BB South_040907.Doc Page 4/4
State Schools of Tomorrow SSOT Report
Discussion Items : Members of the committee were invited to raise questions to clarify their understanding of the project. /1. What is the output of each CRG to be?
Three Proposals to come from the combined Nth and Sth CRGs. Towards the end of the process the groups will be combining (meetings 4 and 6) to finalise the proposals. Members of both Nth and Sth CRGs to receive minutes from both meetings.
2. Are we free to distribute the minutes to our P and C?
The report that appears on the web is available to the wider school community. Minutes may be distributed to your P and C.
2.0 Meeting Schedule
The chair reviewed the meeting schedule and identified a suggested program that would help the CRG understand the community consultation inputs and reflect these in the final proposals put to government.
Meeting / Dates / Key outcomes/activities / Potential inputs*Meeting 1 separate / 3 and 4 Sept / Introductions, group governance and processes, discussions about expectations and outcomes / Terms of reference
Meeting 2 separate / 17 and 18 Sept / Vision step 1 – Describe schools, community profile and values. / School data and socio-demographic characteristics of the area.
Meeting 3 separate / 15 and 16 October / Vision step 2 – consider future scenarios of education.
Include / Presentations about demographic projections and future trends.
Outcomes of facilities reports.
Future possibilities related to curriculum
Meeting 4 combined / 29 or 30 October / Vision step 3 – preferred alternative vision for education in the region.
Vision step 4 – describe key focus areas of vision / Outcomes of community forums;
Report on analysis of feedback received to date related to vision.
Meeting 5 separate / 12 and 13 November / Develop potential concept plan options for consultation / Vision, community feedback received until end stage 1.
Meeting 6 combined / Tuesday 27 November / Finalise three options to present to government / Community feedback regarding draft concept plan options.
· Input was sought regarding the presentations that group members would like to see at future meetings eg City Council, Trade Coast (to see what linkages and partnerships can be developed).
- It was suggested that it may be relevant to present data on disadvantaged youth in the area
- It agreed this was a good idea.
· It was noted that Wynnum SHS has an awards night on October 30.
3.0 General Discussion
Q. Some P &C members noted that they wanted to speak to parents within their own school communities but were concerned about the amount of time available to do this.
A. Community consultation, while only three months, is a very intensive process and longer than the consultation period in other project areas.
Consultation events are still being developed however JTA are proposing the following information dissemination and feedback sessions:
· Staff Feedback sessions
· Parent Feedback sessions
· Community Forums
· Industry forum –
· Displays at Manly Creative Markets, library, Wynnum Plaza and school
· Student focus groups
· Youth groups
The schedule is being finalised and will be circulated to schools and posted on the website as soon as possible. (It was suggested a display at the Spring Parade -Oct 12 onwards - would be a good idea)
JTA would be seeking feedback from groups and individuals across the broader community.
Principals may be able to help disseminate information to staff, parents and students.
The community’s proposals needed to be developed before December otherwise the Christmas holidays would intervene and the momentum lost. Once government has received the community’s proposals it is hoped that feedback on the success of one of those proposals would be received early in the New Year.
4.0 Brainstorming
· Chair facilitated a brainstorming session in response to the questions ‘What do you want to achieve?’ and ‘What will make this a successful project?’
- Learning at home anytime/anywhere
- Sport/active shools (‘smart moves’)
- Outdoor learning/environment
- Give kids incentive/reward/value/acknowledgement
- Community-based learning – industry agencies (BCC, RTO, TAFE)
- Systems/practices for evidence- based practice
- Shuttle bus to make us self sufficient
- Looking after all kids who need extra help
- Break down traditional boundaries between PS, HS and Special
- Infrastructure for special programs available to all in areas eg access programs at school (specialised)without having to attend
- Keep and maintain strong partnerships
- Challenge policies that constrain
- Learning Centres
- An overall positive educational experience
- Number of schools – do we need the same if we change the way of learning
- Virtual learning warehouse – share access
- Schools/education not just for kids – re entry
- Village thinking/integration centres – avoid duplication
- Multi campuses but one cure ??
- Balancing demands of duty of care with managed risk taking/exploration
- Address inequity/unfairness of P & C funding
- Maintain choice but must be quality options
- Schools want access to services/facilities even if small
- Transporting kids b/w places
- ‘future-proof’ schools – consider future change
- Trend towards reconnecting with community
- Reposition education in BB
- Co-location of facilities eg outside school care
- Flexible room spaces – a range of learning environments
- Storage space
- ‘Smart classroom’ with technology, space, carpet, wireless, laptops
- A/C rooms / cool rooms
- Whole of schooling choices - (prep-adult, pre-prep, TAFE) access, proximity
- Specialist areas (eg technology, maths science)
- Inspired teachers
- Valued teachers
- Education reflects community values
- Use the bay (makes the area special)
- Learning not restricted
- Catering for all types of kids and their needs (e.g. boys/girls, youth in need, creative solutions)
- Maximising employment outcomes
- Outdoor learning
- Authentic
- Arts emphasis
- Best choice for schools in the area
- Staff space
- Parent centres
- Sustainability agenda (holistic curriculum)
- Choices – not just one great choice – need a variety - talent, strength of kids and differentiation
5.0 Next Meeting
The meeting will include a presentation of demographics for the area. Members were asked to contact JTA if they wanted to add items to the agenda.
WEB_Minutes_CRG_BB South_040907.Doc Page 4/4