Wilderness Soc in the hall

This image from theage.com.au is of a banner painted in the zoe hall, thanks shayne at TWS for organising it.

Anna Fletcher & Montessori

Today I met Anna Fletcher, a young Montessori teacher on a mission to open a school in Tasmania. We discussed her veiws on education and I tried to explain the what why wherefores about Zoe.

I am pretty satisfied that her teaching style and values could find a home in the Zoe environment. She was really positive about including eco-sustainable values into the curriculum. Montessori has strong emphasis on "child centred-ness", out-door experience, hands-on materialisation of abstract ideas, minimal intervention in free play, child to child support and co-learning. It has a strong emphasis on creativity and theatre.

Anna was open to working within other educational frameworks.

I think that she could bring some helpful structure to Zoe, as Montessouri method includes "progress" standards frameworks and such measurement. I recall at our last parent's meeting there was some concern about how well their children would integrate in mainstream schools after zoe. I think how interpret and respond to this sort of framework stuff is important, as zoe is non-competitive, but it can be utilised.

Anna remembers (fondly) growing up in taroona next door to a strange guy called eric who went to a school in fern tree. :D

Overall Anna has a very positive attractive and parent friendly approach which we haven't had so far. She is concentrating on the early years, 2.5 to 6 years old, tho has experience in the UK with older kids.

Anna, I hope you don't mind me summing you up like this! :D

Anyway, we should all meet up sometime soon to discuss the opportunity we might be able to offer each other.

Anual General Meeting

The Zoë Community School AGM was held at the school on Sunday the 8th of July at the school.

Attending were Aaron Horsley, David Painter, Jed McNeil, Chloe Simons, Glen McNeil, Anna Ilowski, Sally Davis, Shelley Greener, Masae Painter. Apologies from Gabe Horsley & Josh Ward who were unable to attend.

Election of office bearers:

President: David Painter
Vice President: Aaron Horsley
Treasurer: Chloe Simons
Secretary: Jed McNeil
Committee Member: Sally Davis
Public Officer: Anna Ilowski

Treasurers and Presidents reports will be uploaded soon!

For a copy of the minutes please email me - davidpainter@mac.com

el Prez

Legal advice from Hugh Murray

Chloe and David met with Hugh Murray to get some advice on the
constitution and ensure the association rules are up-to-date.
Currently the rules are from 1964 with a series of amendments.

Hugh recommended we make no change at the AGM but convene a special
general meeting soon after and resolve to adopt new model rules, with
no amendments, or his suggestion is that we change the structure to a
company with limited guaranty, which is common for charitable
organisations. The benefits of each need to be looked at.

A company would be set up under the Australian Securities and
Investment Commission, which has a tighter legal framework and is
favoured by governments as being a more transparent structure, and
may therefore be better for a Tax Deductible Fund. Our accountant,
Donald R. seemed to consider the association structure to be a lot
less work.

So... clarity is illusive.

It appears that Sundays AGM will merely be another formalisation of
the committee.

The least we can do is nominate Sally Davis as "ordinary committeeman".

:D - el Prez

Registration

Hi there,

I had a phone call with Jeanine Romazko at the Schools Registration Board (SRB)

She explained, once registration is granted there is a 9 month waiting period after registration. 

State government funding is usually about 25% of what would go to a public school, per student.

The SRB only meets occasionally. This year they are meeting on 28th August and 19th November.

Thus we will need to have a draft to them on the 28th of August, then we work with them to get it finalised by the November meeting, to achieve registration this year, although still unlikely to open until 2009...

She advised the two main causes of downfall in the process is 1. The lack of a strong networked community of experienced and skilled people to support the application, and 2. Capital outlay is significant and frequently proposals overestimate fund-raising capacity and potential funding available.

Once the registration is approved funding is available from both state and federal gov'ts.

Grants usually match $ for $ with fund-raising.

My conclusion: nothing is possible without a really super-duper proposal that accounts for every $. We need to demonstrate that this is all possible before we go any further.

To start fund raising we need a super-duper proposal.

We need to start fund raising-asap. 

I've finished exams so I'm keen to get busy.

Good luck us!

David Painter

President

Zoë Community School Association

Meeting with interested parents and kids at the school

- organised by Jeka (Thanks!)

notes: Meeting Started at 11 and ended 12:30

A few people are going away over winter and wanted to find out about
the school before the AGM because they wont be around in July.

Mostly discussion was about issues that concern parents:

Classes/Structure. Most had not heard of A. S. Neill's Summerhill
School. Keen for learning outcomes that will be comparable to
"mainstream" school levels. Integration, moving in and out of the
school from/to other schools is an important issue.

Also the size of the school, classes and peer groups.

Outcomes and issues about education and teaching to focus on

· Truth
· Survival skills
· Spirit
· Inner-self
· Non-competitive
· Listening
A lot of parents are keen to assist with fund raising, somehow…

Jed, Chloe, Pippin and David shared some memories of what it was like
to be a student here once.

Thanks to everyone who came up and met. Today was a good first
meeting for many who had not met before.

12 Adults came with 14 kids

David – (baby due in October)

Chloë – Jed 7 (months)

Hermione – Aurora Grace (4) Daydd Zale (3m)

Tara – Shiama (7)

Adam & Gushi – Aurora (4.5)

Amy – Kaspa (4) Zephyr Pearl (2)

Pippin – Ruby Peppa (4)

Jeka – Drew (5) Deki (3.5)

Marina – Asa (7.5) Yemaya (4.5)

Antoinette – Rudi-Michael (4)

Jed

iLearning?

apple computer are right into the education thing with a lot of
resources here

http://edcommunity.apple.com/ali/collection.php?collectionID=98

Zoe AGM

ZOE AGM - the big one!
Sunday July 8th

2pm At Zoe Community School
10 Stephenson Place
Fern Tree

Zoë FAQ, please give feedback

We are developing a Frequently Asked Questions sheet for initial contact. We'd really appreciate any feedback or comments. What issues are important to you!?

Zoe Community School FAQ

1.   What is Zoë Community School?

Today Zoë is a group of people who are committed to offering children an environment where children can learn within a basis of community and sustainable living. We are a not-for-profit community organisation.

2.   What Kind of Education?

The Zoë School aims to provide child-centred education in a small group atmosphere. Pivotal to the Zoë Philosophy is encouraging students to be confident and develop positive self esteem.  In this rapidly changing society, it is important to learn skills of acquiring information, of communication and of recognising the needs and view-points of others. The Zoë Curriculum aims to foster a long lasting ability to continue learning throughout life. The school allows for continual contact with the natural environment in an ecologically sustainable way. Community and parents are encouraged to be part of the school, to share any skills or interests they have with the children, adding to student's knowledge and values. 

 

3.   Where is Zoë Community School?

Zoë is in Fern Tree, 10 minutes from Hobart's city centre, on the edge of the Mount Wellington reserve.

 

4.   What will it cost?

The fee structure will be developed as the school building program progresses, bearing in mind that a quality education should be accessible to all. While fees will be necessary to provide an effective curriculum, Zoë school would also require parents to be involved in some way with the day-to-day activities.

 

5.   What can I do?

Right now, Zoë is looking for people who want to be actively involved in school building and education. You can contribute with ideas, funding or getting involved in our school building program.

 

6.   How can I contact Zoë Community School?

You can phone  0414 623156 or 0400 048348 , post to 5 Starthen St Mount Stuart 7000, or email Zoe.community@gmail.com

meeting OH&S standards

I took Michael Shorter OH&S auditor around the school this morning. He's a tall guy in a smart suit & shiny shoes. He recently audited all the catholic schools in the state. He's familiar with all the non-gov schools. Nice guy. Basically common sense and Australian Standards cover everything. Said Tarama had some issues with play equipment - suspension points where kids necks get stuck. Ouch.

In the interest of a shared brain I'll list all the issues we discussed.

Keep in mind this is the guy who would audit us.

-

All compliance to Australian Standards in building.

Steps - ornamental stones steps or sleepers (he mentioned a  hand rail, i think as a  req.). Sleepers can get very slippery in the cold/wet. Cover in chicken wire? Building code requires a particular ratio of step height/depth.

Fencing - he said there is no requirement however he would be concerned about the possibility of kids wandering into the bush! He "recommends" a fence between the council road and the school to "keep them in".

Windows - Safety glass (a cheeper alternative is some kind of coating to existent glass). All glass below 1 meter and any glass in doors or within 300 ml either side of a door. (This means all the low windows in the octagon, the windows in the mezzanine, the rear door, and either side of it. Possibly the kitchen and the library, tho he thinks the kitchen already has it.)

Hand Rails - narrow enough that kids cant get their heads stuck between the palings (who would do a thing like that?) he'll send a info sheet to us. Check building codes.

Decking - Obvious stuff like smooth surface, watch the gaps where hands/fingers can get stuck/broken.

Stone walls - demonstrate they're secure. Something like chicken wire - in my opinion a mesh that we can grow stuff up would be good. Note: Kids will climb. 

Paved areas - must be level, smooth, no sharp edges.

Toilets - must be hygienic and provide sanitary disposal for staff.

Kitchen - a mater switch for the stove or a plate to completely cover it safely. If re-wiring consider an isolation switch where all gas/power can be shut off in an emergency. Cage for gas bottles.

Electrical - just replace all light fittings. Old fluorescents can leak a brownish carcinogen. recommend replacing old fuse board with modern switches. Check all wiring incl. octagon. All portable devices must be tested and tagged.

Play areas, garden. - Check AS4685 series and specify compliance on any purchase orders. Rocks removed from play areas. If using wood and sleepers for garden beds and steps all bolts &c. must be countersunk

To do:

I would suggest spending a bit of time making an action plan for each area and then getting budgets organised.

"L" Pres.

kids and grown ups just want to party

i just had a call from Guchi, she's Aurora's mum. Aurora helped out
with her dad Adam at a working bee while ago. Guchi wants to have her
B'day ParT' at zoe on the 12th of May. I said I'd talk to the
committee and get back to her soon.

I dont see a problem but its frustrating me that people will just
want to party. I mentioned that we'd appreciate her contributions at
a working bee (as well as a fee for the use of the space.) She is a
potential mum for the school so i think I'll go and chat to her more
about it.

yours, the meglomaniac "L" Presidente.

Hi Lads, nice blog.
Licour License is on its way. I also emailed the Fern Tree Community Centre and asked about their prices for hiring the building.
Have made my way through all the rules for establishing a new school. But haven't heard back from Fitzroy CS yet.
I'll come up to Zoe on Tuesday to meet the dude.
FART :)

landscape meeting

I met aubrey wood this morning at the school

we walked around the site and discussed lo fi probabilities and i
made notes on a plan

recommended to contact dan magnus from woodbridge re appropriate
(exotic & feature) plants
and david walker for excavator

for natives contact a local nursery - eviva recommends ?redbill? in
pelverata, or sam at ridgeway might help

establishing a simple and cost effective landscaping plan may allow
for the site to be immediately usable and also for ongoing development

if we have a thorough plan and get materials and equipment on-site
(incl excavator), heaps could be achieved over a weekend with a
working bee

to do

1. budget quantities of
-soil
-mulch (pine bark)
-weed matting (geotextile bidim)
-treated pine sleepers

el Pres

fart meeting 17th April 2007

chloe and david met today as the zoe finance and revenue team (fart)
to discuss the development of a strategy

issues appear to be:
1. a clear strategy for the re-establishment of a school,
2. legal requirements for setting up a non-profit tax deductible gift
fund (the ato recognises "school building funds")
3. amending our constitution (currently 3 pages of amendments to the
model rule of an association 1965)
4. an AGM in May?

chloe emailed to fitzroy community school asking for advice
david phoned the block grant authority and got some advice from tony
crehan and some contacts for more info. tony is head of the
association of independent schools in tasmania, aka the bga

to do:

1.
david spoke to michael shorter, also from the association of
independent schools,
michael will meet us at zoe next tuesday at 9.15am (24 april) to
suggest what might be necessary for safety and OH&S to get registered

2.
we are waiting to hear back from the ato to see if we successfully
updated our contact details

3.
review the process for registration with the schools board

... fart will meet again soon so keep eating those beans!

Thank you

Thanks snorkle for getting this set up. I hereby designate you boss
of the blog. I've tried to set up email posting here, if you email to
zoe.community.school@blogger.com it ought to post.

The intention of the zoe.community blog is to allow all members to
keep up to date and post any independent activity. As it develops it
may become a useful forum for the community.

el Presidente

Welcome!

Here you will discover the wonderfull world of Zoe Community Inc!