Message from our School Council

Here are the Top 5 highlights from the School Council meeting held last night (Thursday, 26 March), capturing the important discussions and decisions from the evening.

YEAR 12 FORMAL - PLANNING IN FULL SWING

A huge shoutout to Asma and Stephanie, who delivered an outstanding Year 12 Formal proposal, easily one of the best we’ve seen! Starting their planning back in mid-2025, their dedication is already paying off. From budgeting (keeping things cost-neutral) to attendance projections, dietary planning, and forming a committee, every detail was covered. School Council has given the green light in principle, meaning the venue can be secured. Future event managers in the making… we’re calling it now!

JOIN A SUBCOMMITTEE - WE WANT YOU!

Got a knack for numbers? A practical eye for uniforms? Passion for learning, facilities, or outdoor adventure? There’s a place for you! We’re inviting parents, carers, students, and staff to join one of our five subcommittees: Finance, Uniform, Buildings & Grounds, Curriculum, and Camps & High Adventure Activities. No experience needed, and the time commitment is minimal (around 8 mini meetings a year). Interested? Reach out to the school office, we’d love to have you involved!

CHILD SAFETY - OUR TOP PRIORITY

Child safety remains at the heart of everything we do. Assistant Principal Kay Chandler led School Council through the Child Safe Standards training, reinforcing the critical responsibility we all share. All Council members are required to hold a current Working With Children Check, reflecting our unwavering commitment to ensuring every child feels safe, supported, and protected.

SRC KEEPS KICKING GOALS

Our SRC continues to impress! Josh and Shakira shared updates on a range of incredible initiatives, including:

• The House Tournament, raising nearly $1000 for the Good Friday Appeal
• International Women’s Day activities promoting gender equity
• A week-long celebration of Harmony Week, featuring an Indigenous smoking ceremony, Island Vibes dance, cultural dress parade, “Melting Pot” buffet, and language activities

Their energy, leadership, and creativity are truly inspiring… and there’s plenty more to come (but we’ll keep up the suspense).

SOAR POINT AVERAGE REPORTING

The new SOAR reporting tool is here, and the feedback is in - it’s a hit! Parents and students alike are finding it a valuable way to track readiness for learning and progress over time. We discussed how factors like attendance may influence results, and it was explained that, as additional reports are released, students will be able to view their progress over time and better understand whether their readiness is improving, maintaining, or declining. Teachers will be using SOAR data in upcoming Parent-Student-Teacher interviews, so come along with your questions and join the conversation.

Thank you for reading our School Council 'Top 5' message. 

We do have a parent vacancy – so if this message has twigged your interest, or you would like more information, please reach out to the General Office on 5945 1433 or via email at pakenham.sc@education.vic.gov.au.

Pakenham Secondary College School Council