School Advisory Council

The Sacred Heart School Advisory Council (SAC) has established an email address for families wishing to contact the council’s parent representatives directly. We would like to encourage all caregivers to please use the SAC email should you wish to share ideas, voice any concerns, or provide feedback on matters related to Sacred Heart. All emails will be handled in confidence. To contact the parent representatives directly please email: sac@shnewport.catholic.edu.au

Chair: Hamish George

What is the School Advisory Council?

School Advisory Councils (SAC) are advisory bodies which form an important expression of the educational partnership that exists between parents, schools, parishes and the wider community to support all students. This is reflected in the ex officio membership of both the principal and the parish priest on the Council. What they do is governed by the Terms of Reference. 

The SAC provides a forum for discussion and discernment, where the parent voice and perspective are available to influence the decisions made by the principal and parish priest for the good of school and parish where the wellbeing and outcomes for students is paramount. 

The role of the School Advisory Council is to:

• ensure that, at the local level, Catholic schools will remain 'actively embedded in the life of the faith communities of the local Church, which in turn is tangibly manifest in the life of each school' 
• encourage the partnership and participation of school, parish and the wider community in the life of the school and parish
• allow school principals, parish priests and parents to work closely in the common mission they share. 
• provide a forum for discussion and discernment, where the parent voice and perspective are available to inform and support the decisions made by the Principal and Parish Priest for the good of School and Parish where the wellbeing and outcomes for students is paramount
• contribute to the selection process for the school principal via membership of the selection panel as per MACS and CECV policy and guidelines
• endorse particular documents (WTIM): Master Plans, Annual Budgets, Annual Reports, Strategic Plans

Meeting Dates 2024

The dates for this year's meetings are as follows. They are held on Tuesday evenings at the school. The dates are 5th Mar, 30th April, 11th June,13th Aug, 8th Oct and19th Nov. 

The Annual General Meeting will be held prior to the SAC meeting on the 19th November.

School Advisory Council Members

The School Advisory Council for 2024 at Sacred Heart Primary School are:

Principal: Kaylene Carlin

Parish Priest: Fr Samuel (Custodian of Mission)

Chair: Hamish George

Secretary: Erin Stone

Parent Representatives:   Kathy Mechenbier, Hamish George, Zoe Wen, Aaron Greaves

Parishioner: Marlene Monahan (Custodian of Mission)

Staff Members: Erin Stone (Deputy Principal), Andrea Finlay (Family Engagement Leader)

Contact Details: sac@shnewport.catholic.edu.au

Agendas

Principal Reports

Child Safe Standards 

At one of the early School Advisory Council meetings each year, the members are introduced to the new Child Safe Standards. There is opportunity for discussion and questions throughout. A copy of the slides is below for those interested in viewing and learning more about the important role the standards play in contributing to a child safe environment.

WELCOME TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL PARENTS VICTORIA

Sacred Heart Primary School is a member of CSPV through the School Advisory Council.

Do you enjoy getting involved in your school community? Do you have a burning desire to make a difference for students and their families in Catholic education? Catholic School Parents Victoria is a parent representative and advocacy council governed by a team of volunteer parent member delegates from each of the four Catholic Diocese in Victoria.

CSPV has a critical role to play in the Victorian Catholic education landscape, representing parents of children in Victorian Catholic schools and maintaining close relationships with key stakeholders including the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria LTD (CECV) and the four Victorian Catholic Education Offices.

Click here to access the website for more information and excellent resources for school and parents.

Click on the link below to access the latest newsletter from CSPV