GSPV News

from the council chair

2017 Chair's Report

2017 has been another amazingly busy, productive and outstanding year of learning at Good Shepherd Lutheran School. I seek to offer a snapshot of the role, activities and initiatives undertaken by School Council over the last 12 months.  

 

Council members volunteer to ensure the effective governance of the school. All members are active Christians, sensitive and in-tune with our school values, and represent both Lutheran and other Christian denominations.  Councillors serve a three year term.  The Council collectively brings expertise and experience in governance, strategic planning, law, finance, spirituality, education and marketing to our decision making and policy direction.

 

Functions of the School Council consist of but are not limited to:-

  • act as a steward of the school, taking care and concern for the school, holding true the traditions and ethos of the school while and ensuring the school continues to grow and prosper
  • set the mission and values of the school (its identity)
  • approve the strategic priorities (direction) for the school
  • to be architects of the future
  • ensure there is a culture of ongoing improvement for the school, the principal and for itself
  • engage in oversight of risks in operation the school
  • ensure the schools accounts and procedures are audited in compliance with the law and procedures, and
  • approve policies that provide management with permission to act

In 2017, there has been enrolment growth, something for which we are truly blessed. We have done remarkably well to fill other vacancies, especially with some strong competition from other schools in the local area, especially in the middle years. At the time of writing this report we currently have 358 students.

 

The School has undertaken a significant facility development, and we are truly blessed with an innovative and unique STEM building with additional classrooms. The School Council was involved in the consultation of the $7.5 million School Redevelopment and the $2.5 million STEM Project which we have seen take shape in 2017, recently open and we look forward to seeing the commencement of in 2018. It is amazing that for such a small school, we have been able to manage and ensure such change and building growth- what an incredible, modern school our students are able to learn in. Future projects are being investigated and planned carefully. One development in late 2017 was that after a number of years of conversation, the School was able to formally enter a memorandum of understanding to successfully purchase the current ‘New Community Church’ and adjacent car park, which we know as our overflow car park each day on the corner of Montague Road and Dwight St. Purchase of this site ensures long term access and use of the car park, and Council and School Leadership will now undertake a thorough examination of a possible expansion of education services to include Early Learning.

 

Council has also consulted over numerous policies and procedures throughout the year which include Motor Vehicle use, Sport, Sunsmart, Enrolment, Excursion, Extreme Weather and Uniform policies. This is an essential and important process to ensure we are covering and managing adequate risks and procedures required for the smooth running of the school.

 

In 2017, School Council has undertaken a review of the School Improvement Plan and Learning Principles.

 

We have continued to maintain and develop strong partnerships throughout the year which include:

• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

• Connected Schools

• Lutheran Education SA, NT & WA

• AISSA – The Association of Independent Schools of South Australia

 

It has been great to see more fantastic combined Church and School activities and a planning session about how we can establish greater links. This will remain a priority for our School Council and we look forward to future steps to stronger relationships within the Good Shepherd Community. On behalf of School Council, we thank the members of Good Shepherd Congregation for their ongoing support and prayers for the school. I look forward to ensuring that the Church and School relationship can continue to remain effective and further strengthened. It has been great to see Pastor Reid so actively and regularly involved within the School.

 

Connected Schools, continues to be a focus and it is great that students transitioning to Endeavour College continues to be high above 75%. There are many benefits of this partnership including staff professional learning, a joint Council meeting, Chapel service as well as many other school based activities. 

 

We are truly blessed with an amazing community. Many people contribute above and beyond to make our community such a vibrant one.

 

I am thankful for all Council members who volunteer much time each month at meetings and at other sub committees. We are fortunate that Council members govern the School and effectively offer an extremely diverse range of backgrounds, skills and experiences to strive to strengthen and build the School Community that you see today. The Council plays an important strategic role to set the direction and policy for the School and to continue to grow Good Shepherd whilst still feeling community warmth and sense of Christ centred education. 

 

Council Members in 2017

Matt Schmidt (Chairperson)

Ashley Schmidt (Vice Chairperson)

Bruce Campbell

Rebecca Crowe

Sonia Hulme

Matt Modra

Debbie Schubert

Paul Schultz

Shawn Zeppel

Pastor Reid Matthias (Pastor), David Wilksch (Principal), Garry Schwartz (Business Manager),

Bronwyn Holliday (Deputy Principal), Pauline Gilroy (Secretary).

 

I wish to acknowledge the efforts of Bruce Campbell who will complete three years of dedicated service to School Council. Bruce has also contributed to the Finance Team and his contributions and attention to detail have been valued.

 

We are fortunate to have all members continuing their terms on Council, and in 2018 we welcome Ashley Amaro to School Council. 

 

The School is extremely fortunate to attract a range of volunteers who assist with classroom activities, sporting teams, canteen duties, camps and excursions, fundraising and social activities and other tasks. We are thankful for those people who offer to be involved and create a vibrant school community. There have been a range of successful activities coordinated and offered including Wine and Cheese Night, Mother’s and Father’s Day stalls for the students to purchase inexpensive gifts, Kid’s Disco, Aloha (School welcome event), Men and Minors camp and many more. Thanks for your contributions to our community, your efforts are appreciated and valued.

 

We have sought to continue to reduce the workload on a few people, and share the load amongst a broader range of enthusiastic parents each doing their own part to build our community with their talents seeking to reduce time commitments.

 

Staff

Good Shepherd is extremely fortunate to have a dedicated, caring and professional Staff Leadership team that continually promote respect and professionalism in our community.

 

  • I thank School Principal David Wilksch for his professionalism, creativity, leadership and sacrifice that he has given to leading this school. We are so appreciative of David’s outstanding leadership of our School.
  • Special thanks to Bronwyn Holliday for her extensive work as Deputy Principal and at times acting Principal (including term 2 while David was on leave), as well as her efforts on Council with policy development, and her ongoing dedicated service to the school community.
  • Thanks to Garry Schwartz for his amazing efforts as Business Manager, in effectively managing another major School building development and managing the School’s finances in a professional and efficient manner.
  • Karen Schoff as Director of Learning and Resources ensures that Good Shepherd has a range of modern academic learning programs that develop deeper learning skills through inquiry, personalised learning, creativity and critical thinking.

 

We rejoice and thank our School staff, including our teachers, support officers and other administration staff. Collectively these passionate people inspire and contribute so much to our students and community. A special thanks to our dedicated teaching staff who enthusiastically motivate our students, and other school support staff who ensure the school runs so smoothly.

 

Our School’s vision ‘Active and Connected, Growing for LIFE’ is evident each day within our corridors, playground and community. We are truly blessed for the outstanding learning environments for our children. At the end of 2017, we will farewell some staff, and our Year 6 students off to a new journey at Secondary School. I hope you can look back with a sense of pride and love. To families whose formal contact with the School draws to a close, we thank you for your time with us and wish you every blessing for your new school, work and home environments. To these families, and for families, staff and students returning or starting at Good Shepherd in 2018, may God be with you as we approach the Christmas season and break to refresh for 2018.

 

I treat my role as Chairperson of the school as a privilege and important responsibility to continue to ensure a vibrant School community. 2017 has been another special year in the life of our school. I thank God for his continued love and blessings he has shown for our s