School Council Report
There are a number of updates to share from the last school council meeting (1/12/21):
Thanks from School Council
First and foremost, School Council would like to extend our thanks and best wishes to Lyn Ramsay, our Business Manager. Lyn has been with NPS for an incredibly long time and will be greatly missed.
Also, we want to mark the contributions of both Nicole and Sharif to School Council this year. They have both been active contributors and helped us greatly. And the midnight oil Sharif that burned on the technical, planning and policy development work on the Digital Devices front has really set us up well for 2022 and beyond. They will both be missed by SC, and by the broader school community.
To the rest of the 2021 school council, and to everyone that has contributed their time on committees and fundraisers, thank you wholeheartedly. Without these ongoing contributions we would not have the wonderful school that we do. It’s been such a tough year, and many, myself included, have felt quite invisible as the school council. Despite this, we will complete the 2021 year having, amongst other things, identified and approved significant landscaping improvements to the school, and setting NPS for a great year in 2022 through the Principal selection process.
And a final note of thanks to Karen Surridge for everything she has done for Northcote Primary School. Karen departs School Council and NPS at the end of 2021 after many years as a parent and a very active member of the school community. She has volunteered countless hours of her time to the cause, and made things happen that simply would not have, without her contribution. Karen’s parting gift to the school has been the final submissions to VSBA of significant landscaping works to be completed at the school in 2022, and her involvement in the Principal selection process.
Thank you.
2022 Parent Payment Arrangements
NPS has sent out some detail this week on the Parent Payments for 2022, following some changes from the Department of Education.
In particular, this change states more specifically that these fees are voluntary - this was of course already the case. I just want to reinforce that the money raised through the parent contributions is critically important to delivering great outcomes for our children.
As a school council, we are very cognisant of the challenging two years it has been for many in our community, and understand that everyone’s financial circumstances are different. We encourage everyone who can, to make the full voluntary contribution.
2022 School Fete
The NPS school fete is our premier annual community event, bringing the school and local community together, and helping raise much needed funds for school improvement projects. We are seeking expressions of interest from parents to be involved in next year's event. If you’ve been involved in a similar event previously, even on a smaller scale (two people out there will know what I’m referring to here), or you’d like to be - please reach out to Michael Eva to discuss: michaeleva@gmail.com.
Fundraisers 2021
Our Community Subcommittee released a number of fundraisers for term 4 that were very well supported, thank you.
The P-6 created Tea Towels, I love NPS plastic picnic cups & our beautiful chalkboard cards were all part of the fundraisers.
Orders closed a couple of weeks ago and all orders will be available for pick up from the school in the last week of term.
(Please watch out for a compass message re dates to pick up etc.).
NPS Principal Selection Process
School Council has continued working through this incredibly important process with the Department of Education and Training (DET). The process is going well, with a decision expected to be made prior to the end of the term, and the appointed principal in place for the new school year.
Next School Council Meeting Date 23/02/2022
Note that at this meeting the 2022 School Council will be elected. I would encourage anyone with an interest in this important and interesting work to reach out to any of the current council for a chat about joining.
Parent Raised Funds Update
Landscaping Projects Progress Update
School Council has approved a number of landscaping projects to be completed at NPS. This includes a number of adventure play areas including a Senior Adventure Play and Rockery, upgrades to the Henry Street entrance area and bike storage; a number of smaller play areas to include shady imaginative, nature play and cosy nooks; Junior play and sand pit upgrade; and outdoor learning and gathering spaces. These areas are all elements of the Landscape Masterplan (prepared in 2019) and will be at a cost of over $400,000 of parent raised funds. A separate Landscape Masterplan will also be developed for the Aftercare site currently occupied by OSH Club.
Final submissions have now been made to the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) for this work to proceed.