School Council News - May 2024

Edition 9


School Council News Edition 9

Please click here to read the latest edition of the School Council News in it's original format


Welcome to our Ninth School Council Newsletter!

This edition will cover the May 2024 School Council Meeting.

This newsletter will be written by parents, to the parents, to create an open line of communication with the School Council and the important work it does.

Who are the current council members?

Staff –Susan Jackson, Michelle Mather (Treasurer), Andrea Smith (Secretary)

Parents – Rachel Jeffreys (President), Julia Kahan (Vice President), Lisa Cleland, Iole Issaias, Georgie Lye and Ray Van Haven

This newsletter will

Provide updates about School Council decisions

Provide news on the work of Subcommittees

 

Provide a section dedicated to questions & concerns raised by parents

Do you have questions or concerns about general school matters?

We would like to invite parents to send us (the council members) any questions or concerns you have. We will raise any relevant concerns with management and/or at council, and provide responses in the following newsletter!

Please note – your privacy will be respected, and questions/concerns brought up anonymously unless you request otherwise. These questions should be relevant to general school matters, any personal concerns should be raised with your teacher or the school management. 

You can email Julia, convener of the Communications committee at julia.kahan@gmail.com or any other members on the emails below.

Council Decisions and Updates

As announced earlier in the term Mother’s Day breakfast – thanks to the team of parents - $500 from the raffle, $1800 from stall. The raffle money will go towards a new stove/oven. 

The Parents and Friends Association has been approved, and the date/time for the first AGM has been organized and communicated to the parent community. 

Kevin Murphy, the SEIL attended the council meeting to provide council training for the Principal selection process and to form the panel. The parents representatives on the Panel are Rachel Jeffreys (Chairperson of the Panel) and Julia Kahan. The staff member representative is Lee Jellis. 

 

Subcommittee Updates

We need YOU!

Did you know you can be a part of the important work of the School Council?!

The School Council has several sub committees that welcome any parents or community members. These subcommittees have the potential to make a significant impact on the quality of your child’s school experience. It is really up to us – there is so much we can achieve for our school and children through this work.

Fundraising and Grants Committee

Committee Convener: Iole Issaias - iole.issaias@gmail.com

The Fundraising and Grants committee is responsible for running and managing fundraising including the Farmers market, which is the major source of fundraising for the school, and investigating and coordinating applications for grants.

Committee Updates

  • A committee meeting was scheduled for after the Council Meeting, with updates to be provided next council meeting.
  • The April market was attended by almost 1,000 people, which was our biggest
  • of 2024. The ANZAC Day long weekend didn’t deter people from coming along, and the gorgeous sunny day helped too!
  • Our profit for the month of April was $2,670. This was less than usual as the Toy Library did set-up/pack-up and gates in exchange for $750 in fundraising.

Please contact Iole on the email above if you would like to join the committee or would like to ask more questions about joining.

Communication and Engagement Committee

Committee Convener: Julia Kahan julia.kahan@gmail.com

The Communications and Engagement Committee is responsible for communications in two areas:

  1. Internal communications with school community – providing a Two-way engagement with the school community on issues resolution and ideas generation, messages from school committee; class reps and canvassing of volunteers and support for funding raising and initiatives
  1. External communications with school and wider local community to raise awareness in the community about what our school offers and increase interest in the school and the school activities such as fundraisers through promotions at community events, through social media and more, meeting with local government representatives, engaging with local kinders and other organisations. This is key to keep our school thriving!

Committee Updates

  • Open Day was held with many prospective and current parents in attendance and the day ran very smoothly and positively. Thanks to everyone who was involved, it was a big team effort in preparing the school, organising the day, marketing the event and more. The Student Captains and Students who preformed in orchestra and during the morning tea did a wonderful job.

Please contact Julia on the email above if you would like to join the committee or would like to ask more questions about joining.

Buildings, Infrastructure and Grounds Committee

Committee Convener: Ray Van Haven ray@havensgroup.com.au

The Infrastructure committee is responsible for making sure the school’s grounds and buildings are well maintained. This includes organising working bees, planning and implementing improvements to school grounds, reviewing quotes for works to the grounds and generating new ideas for the improvements of the school grounds.

Committee Updates

  • Playground – continuing conversations with Rotary to secure support

Please contact Ray if you would like to join or run the committee or would like to ask more questions about joining.

Education Committee

Committee Convener: Sue Jackson – susan.jackson@education.vic.gov.au

The Education committee is responsible for settling and reviewing policies (guiding principles designed to

influence decisions, actions, that the school makes) and developing, reviewing and monitoring both the Student Code of Conduct (how the schools expect students to behave, how bullying will be managed and the school’s approach to managing student behaviour) and the School Dress Code.

Committee Updates

  • The Dress Code has been reviewed, drafted and communicated with parents for feedback.

Please contact Sue on the email above if you would like to join the committee or would like to ask more questions about joining.

Finance Committee

Committee Convener: Michelle Mather - Michelle.Mather@education.vic.gov.au

The Finance committee contributes to the development of the strategic plan and to the financial planning and annual budgeting.

Committee Updates

The Finance committee meetings monthly and would love some new members. This Committee meets during school hours. If you have knowledge/experience in Finance, this could be a great way to contribute your skills to our school!

Please contact Michelle on the email above if you would like to join the committee or would like to ask more questions about joining.