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P&C Day

Dianne Giblin President, P&C NSW Questions and feedback regarding P&C Day to: mail@pandc.org.au or 1300 885 982	Our first P&C Day 7^th March, 2007 by Dianne Giblin President. It has been a relatively recent trend to attach particular days, weeks and even years to special causes and important events. These special days become a focal point to recognise achievements, celebrate successes or raise community awareness of an important issue. Indeed, as a whole community we now recognise such days as Red Nose Day, Daffodil Day, Jeans for Genes Day and Clean Up Australia Day, to name but a few. For those of us closely associated with education we pay particular attention to celebrating Public Education Day, Education Week, International Teacher Day, NAIDOC Week and Harmony Day. This year another important part of our public schools will be recognised with a special day as we celebrate P&C Day on 7^th March. P&C’s have now been operating in this State for 100 years and it is somewhat fitting that the very first official P&C day coincides with the 100 year anniversary of the formation of our very first P&C association. So why have a day set aside specifically for P&C associations? First and foremost P&C Day will give us an opportunity to recognise and celebrate what P&C associations achieve in our communities. It is through the P&C that we send an important message to the wider community – that education is an important and valued aspect within our society. This message is reinforced through the efforts of individuals actively supporting their children and their school. The positive promotion of public schools enhances how our schools are perceived within our wider communities. The day provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the work that we have done and the benefits that have been gained. It is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate our successes. Indeed, a look around any public school will reveal a huge amount of physical resources directly provided by the efforts of the P&C Association. Collectively across the State this now amounts to around $54 million per year. Similarly, it also provides us with the opportunity to recognise the voluntary time that many members of our local communities have contributed in securing these benefits. I hasten to point out here that while fund raising is an important aspect of the work of P&C’s, parents give an enormous amount of volunteer time to other activities such as school committees. These committees are equally important in providing the necessary foundations for an effective and well run school. One of the key features that underpin P&C associations is that a great deal can be achieved by a group of committed people working towards a shared goal. This same “rule” applies to a whole range of activities, from school working bees to effective fundraising. That same collective approach has been effectively used by many school P&C associations in the political arena, in lobbying their local politicians for a better deal for their school. P&C associations provide the vehicle that allows local communities to improve their schools, sometimes on a massive scale. So how are you going to celebrate P&C Day? Here are a few suggestions. Many schools hold successful whole school events as a focal point for their celebrations. These can involve things such as community breakfasts, morning teas or providing the school a BBQ lunch. This has the added benefit of promoting the P&C amongst the teachers and staff of the school and raising your profile with some parts of the school community that may not fully understand what a P&C is all about. Some schools will recognise the efforts of the P&C as part of the school assembly, highlighting the collective benefits provided to the school. An article in the school newsletter can further enhance these celebrations. Your school may wish to hold a special fund raising event such as a dinner or trivia night to mark the occasion. In addition to highlighting P&C Day there is the added benefit of furthering your efforts in support of your school. The involvement of local businesses and elected politicians provides additional benefits in promoting your school. P&C associations can use the day to further promote the school to local politicians. An invitation to visit the school provides the opportunity to highlight, not only the achievements of the school’s P&C association but also the school’s continuing needs (let’s face it - this year is an election year after all). Events such as those mentioned provide great photo opportunities for local media. The preparation of a short media release advertising the planned event followed by a specific invitation to your local media outlet will usually secure you a photo and a few short words in the local newspaper. The Federation and the Regional Councils are planning a range of local events. Feel free to contact your local Regional Council and see what activities are taking place close to your school. P&C Federation promotional material will be sent to all schools early during Term 1. The Federation would like your feedback on how your school celebrated P&C Day, 2007. Questions and feedback to: mail@pandc.org.au or 1300 885 982	Home Back to mock-up home page P&C Journal NSW P&C Home
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