What is a P&C?

Our Next P & C meeting is tomorrow 21st March at 1.30pm. Come along and be involved in your school.

What is a P&C?

The P&C is the voice of the parents. It’s at P&C meetings that decisions affecting your child at school are made.

P&C meetings are usually held once a month. Any parent or guardian can attend.

P&C associations are a great way to:

• get the inside story on what’s really happening in the school (not the gossip). The principal usually is available to answer questions and teachers sometimes attend too
• influence school policy (want to change to occur? Lobby through the P&C)
• have a say in the development of school activities such as excursions and camps and curriculum
• guide school management in its financial planning by helping prioritise the resource wish-list
• contribute to the school’s resources through various fundraising projects
• meet other parents

Schools have their own budgets —but invariably they need more than the budget allows. That’s where the P&C becomes a really valuable partner.

P&Cs often run or manage services like canteens and uniform shops.

Fundraising is an exciting way in which to help your school get much-wanted additional resources—from extra library books to play equipment.  

P&C fundraising can take many forms from product drives to special event stalls (for Mothers’ Day or Fathers’ Day, for example) and social events—for students (like school discos), parents (such as casino nights or wine tastings) and families (like trivia nights and BBQs). P&Cs are also the driving force behind big community events like School Anniversaries or carnivals.

All money raised by a P&C must be used for the benefit of the school. But as a P&C member, you get to vote on how funds are used—and ultimately, that can only benefit your child too.