AGY-3560 | NSW Federation of School Community Organisations Inc (FOSCO)

Full description

Mothers clubs were established in New South Wales infants schools from 1912, with the first opened at Blackfriars School that year. In 1926 a meeting called by the Mistress of Canterbury Infants' School, attended by representatives of 12 Mothers' Clubs, unanimously resolved that the NSW Federation of Mothers Clubs be formed to help parents understand current methods of kindergarten teaching and to raise funds to assist the schools with purchase of equipment. The Department of Education approved the constitution and the New South Wales Federation of Mothers' Clubs for Infants Schools (FIMC) was established at a meeting on 16 September 1926. (1) At its first annual meeting it was reported that the Federation included 22 clubs, with a membership of over 1400 mothers. (2)

The Federation was registered in May 1932 with its regulations approved by the Minister for Education. The objects of a Mothers' Club were 'to promote the interests of the school or schools concerned in co-operation with the teaching staff, to assist the teaching staff in all its relations to the community'. The duties of a Mothers' Club included:
- to report upon the material requirements of the school, and to advise on the subject of minor repairs, alterations, and additions to the school buildings, and the selection of new sites
- to consider and report upon the plans and specifications of proposed new schools or school buildings in the locality
- to assist in providing and selecting school libraries and other desirable accessories, such as pictures, pianos, sewing machines, etc., to supplement the ordinary school equipment
- to act on behalf of the Department, when requested by the latter in the supervision of contracts, the arrangements for the accommodation of teachers, and any other matters in which the Department may seek the co-operation of the Club.
However, a Mother's 'Club shall not exercise any authority over the teaching staff, nor shall it interfere in any way with the control or management of the school or schools concerned.' (3)

The aim of the Federation was to formulate the ideals and standards of the individual mothers' clubs and the raise their status. The first major achievement of the Federation was to achieve statutory recognition. The Public Instruction and University (Amendment) Act, 1936 (Act No.21, 1936) recognised Mothers' Clubs as 'Kindred Associations'. (4) The objects of these associations were as follows: to promote the interests of the school by bringing parents, citizens, pupils and teaching staff into close co-operation; and, to assist in providing equipment for the school and in promoting the recreation and welfare of the pupils of the school. (5)

The Functions of the Parents and Citizens and Kindred Associations were to include:
(a) to report when requested by the Minister upon the material requirements of the school and to advise on the subject of minor repairs, alterations and additions to the school buildings and the selection of new sites;
(b) to assist and co-operate with the teaching staff in public functions associated with the school;
(c) to assist in arranging for the accommodation of teachers, the conveyance of children attending the school, and in any other matters in which the Minister may seek the co-operation of the association. (6)

The Associations could perform other functions and duties. Each association could adopt its own regulations and rules for the conduct of business but these were required to be approved by the Minister.

In 1942 the title of the organisation was changed to NSW Federation of Infants' School Clubs (FISC) and in 1946 to NSW Federation of Infants' and Nursery School Clubs. In 1965 the name changed again to become NSW Federation of Infants' School Clubs and from 1978 until its closure was known as NSW Federation of School Community Organisations Inc (FOSCO). (7)

FOSCO was the only parent organisation which focused specifically on the earlier years of school. Its research, activities and lobbying were confined to matters unique to children in kindergarten to year six. (8)

The Federation was registered under the Charitable Collections Act 1934 (Act No.59, 1934) and in 2000 was incorporated. (9)

At a meeting of the Federation of Mothers' Clubs held on 5 November 1930 at the Education Building an address was given by Mr. J. Travers on the work of Stewart House preventorium, Curl Curl. The president and honorary secretary "speaking on behalf of the mothers of the State, said that Stewart House would have the whole-hearted co-operation of the federation." (10)

In 2003 the objects of FOSCO were described as follows:
(a) to promote the welfare of children in New South Wales government schools by bringing parents, members of the community, teaching staff and pupils into closer co-operation;
(b) to emphasise the importance of the early years of education;
(c) to assist clubs and to act on behalf of clubs when required;
(d) to promote parent education;
(e) to promote community participation in education decision-making;
(f) to bring about an interchange of ideas concerning the work of clubs and show practical sympathy with difficulties encountered; and
(g) to advise the Minister on all matters relating to state schools. (11)

FOSCO often worked in collaboration with the NSW Federation of Parents and Citizens' Associations and the NSW Teachers' Federation in an alliance sometimes known as 'the Three Federations' however, it continued to maintain its own identity and to work for the issues of infants and primary education. (12)

Falling membership affected the viability of FOSCO. At the special meeting held on 6 December 2002 members resolved to dissolve the NSW Federation of School Community Organisations on 30 June 2003, to apply to the Department of Fair Trading for cancellation of its incorporation and that any residual funds were to be handed over to Stewart House. (13)

Endnotes
1. A short history compiled by FOSCO, 30 May 2003, p.1 (copy held on SA File AG/3560).
2. 'Mothers' Clubs. Links with School Life,' Sydney Morning Herald, 7 September 1927, p.8.
3. NSW Education Gazette, 2 May 1932, p.68 and amendments, 1 December 1932, p.235 (NRS 20950, Item [34]).
4. A short history compiled by FOSCO, 30 May 2003, p.1.
5. Public Instruction and University (Amendment) Act 1936 (Act No.21, 1936) Part II s.3(d) (1).
6. Ibid. s.18B.
7. A short history compiled by FOSCO, 30 May 2003, p.1.
8. FOSCO homepage - http://members.optusnet.com.au/~fosco/index.htm (accessed 3 June 2003).
9. A short history compiled by FOSCO, pp.1-2.
10. 'Federation of Mothers' Clubs', Sydney Morning Herald, 8 November 1930, p.7.
11. A short history compiled by FOSCO, p.1.
12. Ibid.
13. FOSCO website - http://members.optusnet.com.au/~fosco/Closure.htm (accessed 3 June 2003). FOSCO's incorporation (INC9874264) was voluntarily cancelled on 22 July 2005 under Sections 55A and 55B of the Associations Incorporation Act 1984 (Act No.143, 1984) by publication in the NSW Government Gazette No.92, 22 July 2005, p.3853.

Extended title: New South Wales Federation of Mothers' Clubs for Infants Schools (1926-1942) / NSW Federation of Infants' School Clubs (1942-1946) / NSW Federation of Infants' and Nursery School Clubs (1946-1956) / NSW Federation of Infants' School Clubs (1956-1978) / NSW Federation of School Community Organisations (1978-2000) / NSW Federation of School Community Organisations Inc (2000-2003)