General Meeting - Minutes
Wednesday 18 June 2025
Attendance:
Mia Kumar – Principal
Katherine Lye – Deputy Principal
Doris Lee - Deputy Principal
Fiona Diakos - Deputy Principal Technology Innovations
Cat Rodie – P&C President
Kara Gabbett - P&C Vice President
Bryony Mika – P&C Vice President
Isaac Kuruvilla – P&C Treasurer
Marnie M Noor – P&C Secretary
Chiara Cenati - P&C Assistant Treasurer
Jae Hwang - Grants Coordinator
Attendees per sign-on register:
Linda Omar
Jayson Gordon
Poh Keng Goon
Meeting Chair: Cat Rodie
Meeting recorded by: Marnie M Noor
Apologies: KT Wlodarczyk - General Member
Format: In Person
Start: 7.00
Welcome and Introductions – Cat Rodie
Started at 7.00pm
EDUTech Conference : Navigating the Digital Landscape - Fiona Diakos and Katherine Lye
Fiona Diakos and Katherine Lye attended the EDUTech.
Lots happened including:-
This generation’s students are using some form of tech and Artificial Intelligence (AI) ie. from Discord to SnapChat.
The consumption of AI and the line between real lives and digital lives are blurred.
The use of generative AI is now exponentially rising.
It is now shaping the students’ digital literacy.
Generative AI is being used by teenagers in school for assignments and assessments.
Kathy said that teachers need to be upskilled on digital/AI to stay current.
Digital landscape has altered between real and fake realities.
BGHS students have been caught using apps that have been blocked.
Kathy and Fiona agreed that there are good points to AI.
Kathy has a group of staff and interested parents who work within a digital/AI space to comb through finer details of guidelines to be implemented.
Staff is going to be working with Y10, 11 and 12 about policies and assessments re. AI vis-a-vis NESA.
2026 is when NESA English exams will be online.
Kathy reiterated that staff needs to be upskilled in the digital/AI space and that families need to educate themselves on the same.
Critical thinking is very important in the current digital landscape.
Principal’s Report - Mia Kumar
Lots happened including:
International Day
The day was sunny and successful.
Wonderful costumes with great student involvement.
Welcome to Country, reconciliation, and smoking ceremony were conducted by Uncle John and Uncle Jimmy.
There was a concert.
There was a Tech Crew that supported International Day (and other events).
Mia thanked the students for always showing their enthusiasm for the event.
Mia thanked the parents and community who supported the International Day.
Mia also thanked the P&C for the gift vouchers totalling $1,250.
Selective Schools Testing
Selective Tests ran smoothly in BGHS.
Solo and Chamber Concert
The Solo and Chamber Concert ran by the BEP on 6 June 2025.
Students who are not part of the BEP were able to participate and perform.
The music concert ran for about 1.5 hours.
Field Study Day happened.
Korean, Italian and Indonesian language students immersed in the respective cultures.
Year 10 also participated in the STARR Day.
Year 11 went to the Museum of Human Disease.
Year 7 went to the Zoo.
PE team organised a day which involved cycling and bicycle (ie. how to change tyre etc)
Parent and Teacher interviews for Years 8 and 11 happened.
Parent and Teacher Interviews for Years 9 and 10 next week.
A group of BGHS students attended the United Nations at Cranbrook School -> BGHS was the only non-independent school represented.
A Japanese school visited after long weekend -> Y7 was involved in the festivities in the afternoon.
Mia attended the NSWSPC Conference in Bathurst.
Student initiative (Y11 SRC) : Pyjama Day - Beanies Day
Beanies were sold on the day.
Prefects held a Prefect Afternoon Tea with 74 students from 25 different schools.
Homework Centre
Carl Mandel and Mr Tristan Carey are at the Homework Centre for 2 hours on Wednesday afternoons.
Today (ie. 18 June 2025) - there were more than 60 students at Homework Centre.
Diane Sukkar has been appointed Career Advisor.
True Colours Club received cupcakes from BGHS P&C - thank you card sent in.
Y11 Debating team beat James Ruse Agriculture High School.
On 18 June 2025, they beat North Sydney Girls High School.
BGHS now has another new bus (12 seater) - BGHS has 3 bus-fleet now.
Presidents Report – Cat Rodie
Cat thanked BGHS for being an open, diverse and LGBTQIA+ students.
Cat organised cupcakes for True Colours Club on behalf of P&C for Pride Month.
Cat got a sense of joy and energy and collaboration of the International Day “festival”.
Cat reiterated that P&C was happy to support more student led initiatives.
Adoption of minutes from previous general meeting (21 May 2025) - see link.
1. Bryony Mika
2. Isaac Kuruvilla
Treasurer’s Report - Issac Kuruvilla
Forecast is $103,000.00 by April 2026.
P&C has money to spend for BGHS.
General Business:
Grants update - Jae Hwang
Jae has started looking for Grants.
As we are now in the midst of the month of June (mid year), most grants deadline are closed.
Grants are usually open in the beginning of the year.
Jae mentioned that the school could give a list of projects what they need and/or timelines.
Cat elaborated that she wanted to start a “Wish List” to better understand how P&C can support.
Mia is not keen on “Wish List”.
Mia rather P&C support a whole school initiative rather than “wish list” from every faculty.
Cat said that there might be opportunities and/or grants for smaller groups.
The “Wish List” is more of an “Ideas” bucket on how P&C can support.
Mia thinks that money can be better used for a larger groups -> benefit a larger student population eg. Year 7 Camp.
Bryony Mika thinks that there are a lot of money sitting in the bank account and not have a plan for.
Bryony has been in contact with Mr Richardson about upgrading equipment for Duke of Edinburgh walks.
Equipment used for Duke of Edinburgh are accessible to all the girls (not just Duke of Edinburgh participants).
The “Wish List” is more to identify what is needed to better plan for the future.
Music Committee update - Bryony Mika
Inner West Music Festival - volunteer pool looks good at this point.
Lots of spots filled.
Commitments of donations are coming in healthy.
Email from Mary confirming delivery of sausages, onions etc. tomorrow or Friday.
The day will start at 7.30am.
Uniforms - Marnie M Noor
No updates
P&C funded parent webinars update - Cat Rodie
Next webinar - “Miss-Communication - Why your Teenager Daughter Hates You” with Dr Justin Coulson
After the upcoming webinar, a topic may be about AI to drum in consistent messaging.
Actions arising from previous meeting
Lighting in the school hall for music concerts
Mia had spoken to Andy del Ricchio about clip-on lights for music stands (x6).
Mia said that Andy would be researching it.
No further action is required of this.
Motions voted on
P&C funded parent webinars update - Cat Rodie
Motion : That BGHS P&C to support BGHS families by organising and funding a parenting webinar with Justin Coulson to the value of $4,500.00.
Proposed : Cat Rodie
Second: Chiara Cenati
Result : Passed
Inner West Music Festival - Bryony Mika
Motion : That BGHS P&C allocate $200 towards a music prize to be presented at the Inner West Music Festival.
Proposed : Bryony Mika
Second: Isaac Kuruvilla
Result : Passed
Homework Centre - Mia Kumar
Motion : That BGHS P&C allocate $200 per week for five (5) weeks towards payment of Maths and Science tutor(s) for the Homework Centre ie. total $1,000.00.
Proposed : Cat Rodie
Second: Kara Gabbett
Result : Passed
AOB:
Inner West Music Festival
Chiara thanked Bryony Mika for helming the Inner West Music Festival, and for roping in her own family to do the work.
Duke of Edinburgh
Bryony said that she spoke to Mr Richardson about a wishlist ie. backpacks that are more comfortable for students (for Duke of Edinburgh activities)
Chiara said that mould were forming in the tents.
Donation of Crafting items
Bryony mentioned that her knitting group gets donation of craft/crochet items/equipment.
Bryony asked Kathy whether she is aware if any groups in school or the library need any knitting/crochet items.
Monetary Donation
Mia said that the school’s old Head Teacher Math/Science passed away.
Her niece wanted to donate something in her name - $250,000.00.
The difficulty is setting up a trust fund with school to get this moving.
The Estate has since found a way to move forward with the donation.
Motions to be voted on at the next meeting
Murals - Mia Kumar
Motion : “That BGHS P&C allocate $10,000 to BGHS CAPA Department towards the cost of purchase of materials (ceramic tiles, glaze, etc) for the 3rd and 4th panels of the mural artwork.”
The said amount is part of the 2nd phase of the mural artwork/installation which would be upwards of $40,000.
Motion will be passed at the next meeting.
Drama - Mia Kumar
Motion : “That BGHS P&C allocate $3,000 towards costs of hiring 2 ex-BGHS students to work on lighting for an upcoming drama performance set up for the school and the wider school community.”
Motion will be passed at the next meeting.
Meeting Closed: 8.25pm
Next Meeting: 20 August 2025