QASMT is the top performing state high school in Queensland. In recent years the Association won a P&C of the Year award and had a successful campaign to save the school from moving to another site on the other side of Brisbane. Inexplicably, last week, P&C members received an email invitation to a Special Meeting indicating the Executive’s plan to dissolve the Association. No reasons were given and the wider school community has not been notified or consulted.

Since 2019 this association has funded tens of thousands of dollars worth of musical instruments, VR equipment, laser cutters and printers, outdoor furniture, sports courts, sports and science equipment. It currently is the steward of over $100k of parent raised funds. This fundraising cannot continue upon the initiative of parents and citizens if the Association is dissolved.  As per Metropolitan Regional Office advice, the P&C Association’s obligations are governed by P&C Qld. The P&C Qld Support Guide states that, “Where there is no viable P&C, there can be no fundraising or other events except those Education Qld designates that schools can run in their own right”.  The Department of Education fundraising procedure states, “Principals must seek a sanction from the Office of Fair Trading if the fundraising is conducted by the school and for the school.” 

Dissolving the QASMT P&C Association will have negative consequences for students, parents and community members.