School Advisory Council

2020 School Education Board Report

St John’s Education Board Members 2020

Father Dispin John - Parish Priest

Verona Gridley - School Principal

Monica O’Shannassy - School Deputy Principal

Sarah Longmore - Chairperson, Parent Representative

Rob Hale - Deputy Chairperson, Parent Representative

Amy Prenc - Secretary, Parent Representative

Michelle Plant - Parent Representative

Monica Deehan - Parent Representative

Rohan Sutton - Parent Representative

Warren Butterworth - Parent Representative

Matthew Stutchbury - Parent Representative

In 2020 we welcomed Verona Gridley to St John’s in what proved to be an extremely challenging and unusual year. As the school community faced the uncertainties that accompanied a pandemic of which none of us had seen before, the school board continued to meet in person where possible and virtually when not.

Overall the Board agreed that the staff at St John’s demonstrated persistence and a true commitment to the well being of the students in their care. There was never any doubt that the teaching staff took on the challenges of 2020 with enthusiasm and true dedication to which we are extremely grateful.

At the end of 2020 we acknowledged Rohan Sutton and Michelle Plant who have ceased their terms on the board. Both Rohan and Michelle were extremely diligent in providing insight and support to the School Board.

Discussion topics in 2020 included:

Regular updates on the building works, including planning developments, tendering processes and consultation
Regular policy reviews
Staff shared their new school vision statement
Explored Mathematical Sequences of Connected, Cumulative and Challenging Tasks. Kellie was involved in this project which has provided rich resources for St John’s to use with the students in the Junior school as well as benefiting the older students. There was a focus on presenting the problem and allowing the students to find the solution.
Ongoing needs in the community, in relation to home learning - regular updates on support mechanisms for all students as well as the challenges teachers and families were experiencing
Presentation by Naomi Ryan as Writing Coach on the Pedagogical Framework for Writing at St John’s. The use of “Bump it Up Walls” has become a familiar term among the students and the benefits using this strategy were demonstrated.
Presentation by Shannon Kearns regarding the Learning and Teaching Pedagogical Framework.
Changes to structure of governance were shared with the introduction of MACS
School Annual Action Plan was explored
Online learning for the staff including the opportunity to meet with Dr Lyn Sharratt who has provided lots of insight to the staff over the last two years.
Opportunities for celebrating end of 2020 and ensuring students are able to enjoy and celebrate their achievements

Starting from 2021, the governance of St Johns will be managed by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd. (MACS). The new arrangements seek to ensure that schools continue to deliver the high quality standards they currently do with a new governance structure. This will also mean some changes for the School Board, including a change in name to School Advisory Council. The purpose remains the same and we will continue to promote the schools Catholic ethos and structure, promote faith and the vision of the school and provide support with respect to enrolments, communication and planning.

I am grateful for the board members as they persisted with the challenges that 2020 presented, when many had been on virtual meetings all day, they still took the time to attend meetings and continued to provide feedback and support. Families endured a difficult year and this was regularly acknowledged by the school board members, it was felt that continuing discussions and ensuring families felt supported was a priority.

We look forward to the challenges of 2021 with the changes in governance and commit to supporting the staff and providing a line of communication to the school community. We also welcome to the Advisory Council Members for 2021 Trang Dang and Yvie Williams and thank Rob Hale for continuing as Deputy Chair and Amy Prenc for continuing her role as Secretary.

Sarah Longmore

Chairperson