/ Parent Faculty Organization (PFO)
International School Tianjin
PFO Parents Meeting
Chair / Lexy Hubberts
Date/Time / 27th of August 2014 at 09:00.
Meeting Venue / Teacher’s Centre in the Han Building. Second floor.
Minutes / Natilee Wiid
Discussion
Lexy Hubberts / Lexy Hubberts welcomed and thanked everyonefor attending.
Each of the PFO committee members introduced themselves to the group.
Steve Moody / Mr Moody-
  • Welcomed and thanked all the attendees. He appreciated the active participation of the group. He stressed the importance of a good connection between the home and school.He told the group that the doors were always open at IST. He talked about the importance of asking questions or raising concerns immediately.
  • A Clean Air Filtration System was installed over the Summer Holiday. AQI readings were now no higher than 16 or 17 within the rooms and it should be an attractive feature for the school. He thanked the board and the parents for the support to allow this project.
  • Reported that enrolments were up 7% on the same time last year.
  • Expressed his appreciation of the PFO for their time and effort.

Mick Hilleson / Mr Hilleson-
  • Introduced himself as the Secondary Principal.He wanted the group to know him as ‘Mick’.
  • Provided information on the Open House and invited Secondary Parents to the event.
  • Expressed his appreciation of the PFO and reported enjoying many of the functions that the PFO holds.
  • Encouraged all parents to email the teachers if they have concerns.

TICC
(Guest Speaker) / Anne Zakarian-
  • Told the group that she had been in Tianjin for 12 years.
  • Described the Tianjin International Community Centre (TICC) outlining that community centre offered coffee mornings, lunches, cooking classes and various events within the community. All the proceeds went to various charities including the ICCO, Jian Hua and the Tianjin Cancer Hospital.
  • Informed the group that the TICC had a Website and a Calendar.
  • Offered a free pocket book guide to the city courtesy of Susan Sun.
  • Showed the ‘Taxi Book’ app as a useful resource within Tianjin and across China.
  • Offered anyone interested to sign up to receive the community centre emails.
  • Thanked all of the group for the opportunity to present at the meeting.

Welcome Back Picnic / Lexy Hubberts-
  • Picnic Date- 13th of September from 11-3.
  • A slide show of the previous year’s picnic was shown to the group.
  • Outlined that it was a great way to meet members of the community.
  • Various food vendors, entertainment and games will be operational on the day.
  • People are welcome to bring their own food, picnic blankets, and chairs.
  • Danny Hilleson discussed the entertainment with bands and a DJ.
  • Buses will be operating and that the back gate will be open.
  • Encouraged all participants to sign up for the PFO blog.

Treasurer Report / Frances outlined the financial status of the PFO-
  • 27 048 rmb in the account.
  • 1 186 rmb cash available.
Recent expenses-
  • 10 000 rmb put towards the grand piano.
  • 5 000 rmb to PE.
  • 5 000 rmb to the playground renovation.
Frances and Lexy discussed the ‘Grand Piano Project’. Total cost is 180 000 rmb. The PFO is looking at raising money over a long term period to assist saving this project. Other fundraising such as Musical Productions will also be raising money towards this project.
Brazilian BBQ /
  • September 20th at 4pm.
  • An adults only BBQ to occur at the school.

Meeting close / 09:25
Next Meeting / To be announced