Hello and welcome to the Ferncourt P&C

We’re very happy to welcome you to Ferncourt Public School. Our Parents & Citizens Association is a friendly group of parents and carers who all want to support our children's educatonal experience. 

We try to help the school in three main areas: 

• supporttng education, 

• enhancing the school environment 

• and fostering the Ferncourt community spirit. 

Kids love to see their parents involved in their school. Seeing you taking part and interacting with teachers and others can show them how much you value school and education. There is always plenty going on at Ferncourt for you to become involved with if you want to and have the time. ANY contribution is welcomed and gratefully accepted, no matter how big or small. Modern life can be very busy and parents offer what they can.

What is the P&C?

Many schools in Australia have a P&C (Parent & Citizen) Association. This is a group of parents and other members of the school community who come together to run events, raise funds and provide other resources to support the school.

The Role of the P&C 

The role of the P&C is to contribute to, support and enhance the experience of the children at school. We provide funds for resources including essential IT equipment and learning materials including funding Mathletics, we run the band and extra-curricular programs, lead several grant applications, and run community events.

The P&C Executive

• President

• 2 Vice Presidents

• Treasurer

• Secretary

• Assistant Secretary

• Communications Representative

• Fundraising coordinator

How the Ferncourt P&C Works 

Everyone is welcome to be part of the Ferncourt P&C, in fact we would love as many parents as possible to be involved in any way you can. The more we’re able to contribute, the more we can do for our kids.

The P&C meets twice a term to share updates on what’s happening and discuss P&C related ideas and issues. This is usually on a Wednesday at 7pm –check the school calendar (sent home at the end of each term), the School Bytes newsletter and the P&C Facebook group for updates.

Along with regular members who are able to vote at meetings, the P&C is made up of a number of executive members who fulfill some key positions. These positions become vacant annually at the AGM when new people can nominate a candidate or put themselves forward.

How to get involved

You can join the P&C at any meeting during the year, just complete a form at the meeting and pay $2 for annual membership. We have a wonderful community with so many skills to contribute. There are lots of things you can do to support the school and the P&C:

• Get involved in a sub-committee

• Volunteer for an executive role

• Get involved in an event planning committee

• Volunteer at an event on a stall, setting up etc

• Help out at the garden working bees

• Donate, make or bake where you can

• Attend a few meetings to share your thoughts & ideas

• Help coordinate events and instruments for the bands

• Make a tax deductible donation (contact the P&C Treasurer)

Why get involved?

You don’t have to be a member of the P&C to get involved with P&C events, attend meetings or contribute to the community. However, as a member, you do get to vote at P&C meetings on things like how P&C funds will be allocated or who will fill key roles on the P&C. Being part of the P&C is a rewarding thing to do:

• Have a direct and positive impact on your child’s learning experience

• Get a better understanding of the how the school runs

• Meet other families and build friendships in the school community

• A sense of fulfillment by being involved and making a contribution as part of a motivated community

How are the funds raised spent?

The P&C funds many school initiatives. These include major items like-

• Solar panels

• Interactive White Boards (IWBs)

• iPads

• Increased learning support hours

• concert and training bands

• ongoing support for our eco-garden.

We also support smaller inititives, including-

• donating to Year 6 gift

• one-off teacher training courses

Additionally, the P&C have won sponsorship and grants, that have helped with-

• Upgrade of the teacher's staff room

• Improvements to eco-garden

• Improvements to playgrounds

Sub-Committees Run by the P&C

The P&C is responsible for running the following facilities which you can contact using the email provided. All of these are run by volunteers, so we appreciate your patience and support.

• Band Programs - ferncourtbands@gmail.com 

• The Eco Learning Garden - ferncourtenviro@gmail.com 

• The After-School Activities Program - ferncourtpandcclasses@gmail.com 

• Grants Committee - ferncourtpncgrants@gmail.com 

It is important to note that the P&C does not have influence over school policy or educational decisions. This is the responsibility of the Principal and the School Leadership. If there is anything you want to discuss in relation to your child’s learning, school experience or specific needs, the P&C recommend you make an appointment to discuss it with their class teacher.

Similarly, OSHC and other after school care programs are not linked to the P&C and any queries you have should be discussed directly with the relevant service provider.

P&C Run Events

The P&C run a number of annual events which are a great way to bring the community together and importantly to raise funds for the ongoing support of the school.

• Welcome BBQ

• Easter Hat Parade and Raffles

• The Ferncourt Family Fair – this is the P&C’s largest fundraiser held bi-annually. This event relies heavily on the contributions of the whole community from volunteering to run or support stalls, helping coordinate the event and baking/crafting goods for our stalls

• Annual Walkathon

• Ferncourt Fiesta - an evening for grown ups only!

• Democracy Sausage Sizzles to keep the community fueled on election days

• Halloween Dance and Movie Nights for some after hours fun

• Christmas Calendars or Tea Towels with artwork prepared by our kids

• Christmas Trees

• And much more

If you would like to make a suggestion for an event or get involved in any way please email ferncourtpandc@gmail.com

Staying Up to Date with All Things P&C

The best ways to find out information about P&C events and meetings are:

• The School Bytes newsletter which is emailed every second Tuesday and has a P&C section - visit the school website

• The School Bytes Calendar - sent home as a hard copy at the start of term, but otherwise available online.

• The P&C WhatsApp group

• The P&C Facebook group - www.facebook.com/groups/ferncourtpublicschool/ 

• Via Email - ferncourtpandc@gmail.com 

But the best thing is to come to a meeting and meet the other members. You don’t need to commit to coming to every meeting, or anything at all! We run meetings as in person and virtual (via Teams) so you can join from home if you can’t make it in person.

Taking Part in Extracurricular Activities

The P&C coordinates a program of before and after school actvities run by external providers and some community members. Activities vary depending on what’s available and interest levels but include language programs, art classes, fencing, soccer and music. You will find an up to date schedule of actvities in the School Bytes newsletters and at https://www.ferncourt.asn.au/activities 

Joining the Bands

Ferncourt has three bands.

• The Concert Band is made up of students who are in their second or subsequent year of band membership.

• The Training Band is for students from year 3 and above, with little or no experience of playing an instrument in a band.

• The Strings Ensemble is open to all students of any ability from Kindy upwards.

For more information, visit https://www.ferncourt.asn.au/music or email ferncourtbands@gmail.com 

Quickcliq - Setting Up & Using Your Account

The P&C use an online ordering platform called Quickcliq for many of our school facilities. You can set up an account and add your child(ren) by visiting www.quickcliq.com.au and following the prompts. Quickcliq is used by the Ferncourt P&C for purchasing tickets for events, sponsorship payments, making donations and more.

Ordering Uniforms

The Ferncourt uniforms are managed by Pickles in Marrickville. Please visit their store or their website for more information: www.picklesschoolwear.com 

The P&C manages a second hand uniform shop which is held on school grounds on A playground a few times each term. See School Bytes and the school calendar for information on upcoming second hand uniform open days.

Canteen

Our canteen is run by Wil, of "Wil's Canteen".

Food can be ordered via the app Spriggy.

If you go to recent orders you can see everything, including stuff they’ve chosen themselves during the day.

Best way to contact is via Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/people/Wils-Canteen-Ferncourt/100088959532206/