GECPA News
Please Join Us! We Need a New Convenor!
I have been convenor or co-convenor of the Glen Eira College Parents Association (GECPA) since 2013.
At the end of this year, I will be finishing my time at GECPA, as my youngest child is about to finish Year 12. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as convenor and co-convenor, but now it is time to hand on to someone new. We need a new convenor or (even better) a pair of co-convenors. The convenor role mainly involves being the main contact point for GECPA and making sure that things happen as and when they should. Most work is shared with other committee members. We urge you to please consider whether you can take on this crucial role.
Here are some great reasons to consider taking on the role:
- You will have a wonderful team behind you. You will benefit from our experience. GECPA was started 5 years ago, and since then we have learnt what works well, and how to get the most out of our events without wasted time or effort. Experienced committee members will be there to help you, and we have written guidelines and checklists available for our regular events. I will also make myself available over the next year to provide training and assistance.
- We keep things simple. Some of you will have experience of very busy parents’ associations at primary school. We do not run chocolate drives, raffles or fetes.
- You will have a greater connection to your child’s school. In this role, you will build relationships with other school families and school staff. You will sometimes be informed earlier and in more detail of issues and developments at the college, with opportunities to contribute your views.
- You will show your children that their school is important.
- Our meetings are always friendly and fun and provide a great way to get to know other school families
- This role is vital to keep GECPA going. GECPA has been invaluable in enabling school families to get to know each other and in supporting the college, including raising thousands of dollars to improve facilities and equipment.
If you are interested or would like to find out more, please email me at gecpa@gec.vic.edu.au.
Juliet Brianton
GECPA Convenor
GEC Parents Association (GECPA) – Join Us!
GECPA is an active, well organised and friendly group of parents from across the school community. All GEC parents and guardians are welcome to attend our meetings – a great chance to meet some school families and help the school. Our meetings are friendly and informal, and your level of involvement is up to you. If you are interested being involved in GECPA please send an email to gecpa@gec.vic.edu.au
Final 2017 Committee Meeting - Join Us For Dinner
We have a tradition of holding our last meeting of the year over dinner at a local restaurant. As our next meeting will be the last for 2017, we will meet at Almazett Restaurant in Caulfield - on Thursday 14th December at 7:00pm. If you would like to attend, please email me at gecpa@gec.vic.edu.au so we can include you in the booking.
Weekly walk and talk
We have a social walking group which meets once a week to walk and chat for about an hour. We meet on Tuesday evenings (weather permitting) at 7:30pm at the corner of Crosbie and Murrumbeena Roads at Duncan Mackinnon Reserve.
So that we can keep in contact, we have set up a messaging group on Whatsapp. To join the group, just email us your name and phone number. (If you don't already have Whatsapp installed on your smartphone, you will need to do that first - it's very easy to install and to use).
Second-hand Uniforms
In late January, we will hold a sale of second-hand uniforms at the college. The uniform stall is a helpful service for families and a valuable fundraiser for the school. Please donate your unwanted uniform items by Friday 15th December 2017. This is a donation to the school - families will not receive any payment for their items. Please ensure that all items are in reasonable condition and have been washed and dried before you bring them in. Please note that we cannot sell items that are no longer part of the college uniform, such as polar fleece jackets or the older-style sports tops (sports tops in the current style - with red sleeves- are very welcome).
Sports uniforms and equipment that can't be reused at GEC can be donated to Boots For All Sports www.bootsforall.org.au/
- McKinnon Basketball Association 11 Clarence Street, Bentleigh East 9579 1200 M-F 9–4.30.
- Victorian Amateur Football Association - Umpires Association 170 Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick Park, Training nights www.vafaua.asn.au/
- Lloyd Street Primary School 6 Lloyd Street, Malvern East.9573 4600 M-F 8-4.30.
School Crossing Campaign
In August, School Council contacted all Glen Eira College families with a fact sheet analysing traffic data from the Booran Road pedestrian crossing. Families were asked to contact their local MP and the Minister for Roads and Safety urgently to ask for a safer school crossing.
We are pleased that local MP's have reported receiving a number of phone calls and emails from GEC families. Glen Eira Councillors are also doing what they can to have this issue resolved.
David Southwick, MLA for Caulfield, presented our petition in the Victorian Legislative Assembly on 7th September, saying 'We call on the state government and VicRoads to urgently install variable electronic speed signage at this dangerous pedestrian crossing on Booran Road, Caulfield East.' Ruth Gordon, President of School Council, also attended to show her support.
We now have almost 400 signatures on our online petition. If you haven't signed yet, please add your name at https://www.change.org/p/urgent-action-on-speed-signs-for-glen-eira-college-students and pass this link onto your family and friends (children can also sign the petition).
Thanks for supporting the campaign to improve road safety to save our children’s lives.
If you have not yet contacted your local MP or the Minister, here are the contact details again:
Minister for Roads and Road Safety:
Luke Donnellan MP
Ph. 9706 0566 luke.donnellan@parliament.vic.gov.au
Local Members of Parliament:
Caulfield – David Southwick, MP
david.southwick@parliament.vic.gov.au
Oakleigh – Steve Dimopoulos MP
Ph. 9568 2456
Steve.Dimopoulos@parliament.vic.gov.au
Supermarket Earn and Learn Stickers
Thank you to everyone, including friends and family members, who collected stickers from Woolworths and brought them in. We had 225 full sheets of stickers returned - that's 110 more than last time! What a great effort from our school community!
The college has now been shopping with our points, and we're sure that the students will enjoy using some new sports equipment to go with the new gym. It should arrive in term 1 next year. Equipment ordered includes table tennis equipment and a variety of other balls and Frisbees.
Entertainment Books and Digital Memberships
Please help our fundraising efforts by buying an Entertainment Membership from us. You'll receive hundreds of valuable offers for everything you love to do - helping our fundraising at the same time!
With the newer Digital Membership (having a copy on your phone), you'll use it even more – especially with the brilliant ‘Near Me’ feature. You simply hit the 'Near Me' tab to see what deals are around you anywhere, anytime! AND you can download it onto your child/s phones for them to take advantage of the offers too! Many families save from $550 - $1000+ per year with their membership. It really is brilliant value for just $70.
Gran Prix Cycles - Supporting GEC and Giving Discounts
Gran Prix Cycles in Caulfield South offers regular support to Glen Eira College with a special offer, which benefits you and the college. Collect a loyalty card from the GEC office to take advantage of this offer:
Cathy McNaughton and Juliet Brianton
GECPA