From the Principal's desk 

Welcome, everyone to our first newsletter for 2023. This is going to be a great year - all the children have settled in with their new teachers, and classrooms are abuzz with learning. I would like to welcome our Preps and other students and their families who have joined us. Below I have included some cute snaps of the Preps' first day and also a photo with their Year 56 Buddy.

We welcome Georgina Cleary (12C), to our school and also our new trainee Isabella(Bella) Nash. We farewell Penny Naish and Michelle Davis, and we wish them all the best in their new endeavours. Below is a list of our staff and responsibilities.

School Council Elections 2023

Well, it is that time of year when we are looking for new members for our school council. This is not an onerous role, as we meet 8 times a year, and we would really love to have some new members on board.  We currently have 4 parent vacancies. Please read the information below and consider this.

What is a school council and what does it do?

All government schools in Victoria have a school council. They are legally formed bodies that are given powers to set the key directions of a school within centrally provided guidelines. In doing this, a school council is able to directly influence the quality of education that the school provides for its students.

Who is on the school council?

There are three possible categories of membership:

A mandated elected Parent category. More than one-third of the total members must be from this category. Department of Education (DET) employees can be Parent members at their child's school.

A mandated elected DET employee category. Members of this category may make up no more than one-third of the total membership of the school council. The principal of the school is automatically one of these members.

An optional Community member category. Its members are co-opted by a decision of the council because of their special skills, interests, or experiences. DET employees are not eligible to be Community members.

The term of office for members is two years. Half the members must retire each year, creating vacancies for the annual school council elections.

Why is Parent membership so important?

Parents on school councils provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help shape the direction of the school. Those parents who become active on a school council find their involvement satisfying in itself and may also find that their children feel a greater sense of belonging.

How can you become involved?

The most obvious way is to vote in the elections, which are held in February or March each year. However, ballots are only held if more people nominate as candidates than there are positions vacant.

In view of this, you might seriously consider:

• standing for election as a member of the school council
• encouraging another person to stand for election.

Do I need special experience to be on the school council?

No. What you do need is an interest in your child's school and the desire to work in partnership with others to help shape the school's future.

What do you need to do to stand for election?

If you decide to stand for election, you will need to arrange for someone to nominate and second you as a candidate in either the Parent category or DET employee category. Once the nomination form is completed, return it to the principal within the time stated on the notice of election. If there are more nominations received than there are vacancies on council, a ballot will be conducted in the two weeks after the call for nominations has closed.

Remember

• Ask at the school for help if you would like to stand for election and are not sure what to do.
• Consider standing for election to council this year.
• A school council is able to directly influence the quality of education that the school provides for its students.
• Be sure to vote in the elections if elections are needed.

SCHEDULE 4: NOTICE OF ELECTION AND CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

• An election is to be conducted for members of the school council of NUMURKAH PRIMARY SCHOOL.
• Nomination forms may be obtained from the school office or emailed and must be lodged by 4.00 pm on 04/03/2023.
• Following the closing of nominations a list of the nominations received will be posted at the school.
• If we have more nominations than vacancies, an election will be called and the ballot will close at 4 pm on 17/03/2023.

We currently have 4 parent vacancies.

Nomination forms are attached below and are also available in the school office.

Attendance

This year we are focusing on ensuring that we have no unexplained absences. If your child is ill or there is another reason they will be away, let us know through Compass or call the office.

Compass

It is important that every family can access compass. If you are having problems logging on or are not sure how to use it, please contact the office.

Buses

We have also been notified by our busing companies that some buses now have CCTV cameras on them as recommended by the public transport sector.

Welcome BBQ

I am afraid I will have to postpone the BBQ to next week -  Friday, 24th February -  as there could possibly be a total fire ban, and we would all melt in the 40-degree weather. I will send out further details in a Compass post.

Regards

Debbie Oliver 

Principal