SRC & School Council

SCHOOL COUNCIL REPORT

Beth Mellick, School Council President

In March every year we hold School Council elections for those positions that have become vacant. Parents, staff, and community members are on two-year terms, students are on a one-year term.

Congratulations to newly elected parents Rachael and Jodi (and myself), staff member Shera, and student rep Maisie. Thanks to those exiting Council at the end of your terms - parent Dean Bridgfoot and staff member Justin Marshall.

Our School Council is made up in the following way:

Executive Officer, Principal Paul Frye

President, Beth Mellick (parent)

Vice President, Paul O’Connor (parent)

Treasurer, Elizabeth Grainger (community)

Jessica Howard (parent)

Rachael Cooper (parent)

Jodi Oakman (parent)

Brona Murray (co-opted parent)

Paula Jenkins (staff)

Angela Sutton (staff)

Shera Blaise (staff)

Christian Vejar (student)

Maisie Mellick-Cooper (student)

School Council overseas the strategic direction of CSC as well as manage the finances and policies. We try to support student initiatives when the reps bring them to Council, and we are particularly interested in ensuring that students are safe at school, and that they have the best facilities in which to learn.

Although you don’t see School Council ‘out and about’ staffing the local school fete, you can be assured that we are working behind the scenes. We meet at least 9 times a year in full Council meetings, but also run a number of sub-committees. We welcome feedback, questions and concerns from everyone who have students at CSC.

ANZAC DAY SPEECH - by School Captains Elwyn Carlile & Maisie Mellick-Cooper

Good Morning everyone. Firstly, I would just like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land upon which we meet, the Dja Dja Wurrung people. I pay my respects to the elders past, present, and emerging and thank them for their continuing connection to land, water and community. Acknowledging that sovereignty was never ceded.

My name is Maisie, and this is Elwyn (Christin and Ben) and we are the Castlemaine Secondary College school captains for 2021. We are honoured to be given this opportunity today and to be able to carry on the tradition of CSC captains speaking at the ANZAC Day service.

To be standing here and reflecting on the lives of those who fought, those who died, those who supported, and those families who were left behind, it brings me great sadness to even imagine how that would have felt. 

As a young person myself, the idea of leaving my whole life behind- my family, my education, my future; for something so unknown like war, is daunting, and to only imagine how those young soldiers felt when they realised their possibility of not returning home. 

The men, women, and children who have been affected by wars, not only in the past but the present day wars that still continue to be fought today, are honoured on this day of acknowledgment. 

In acknowledgment of ANZAC Day, I would also like to recognise the defence forces as a whole and all the men and women who have served in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. The Defence Forces have a long history in Australia with the Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and Navy.

This year is the 100-year anniversary of the establishment of the Royal Australian Air Force. The Australian Flying Corps (Core) first used aeroplanes during the Great War to carry-out reconnaissance operations, particularly in the Middle East. Frank McNamara of Rushworth was awarded a Victoria Cross when he rescued a fellow pilot who had been forced down behind enemy lines. During the Second World War, planes such as the Kitty Hawk were vital to the allies' victory in the Pacific. Thousands of Australians were a part of these major conflicts including two of my great grandfathers.

It's essential to acknowledge today that central Victorian women have also played key roles in the Australian defence forces.  

Lin MacDonald of Castlemaine joined the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force during the Second World War at the age of 18. She was located in Tucumwal as a wireless operator Which was one of a few roles, other than nursing, offered by the Defence Force for women to help in. Tocumwal was established in 1942 as a major stores and maintenance base for the US Army.

The valuable contributions of local women to our defence forces continues to this day. Suzie Youngman, a Castlemaine High School alumna, enlisted in the Air Force in 1997. She graduated from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1999 with a Bachelor of Technology in Aerospace Engineering. In 2002, Suzie was the third Australian woman to fly fast jets, including F1-11s. From 2008, she instructed for two years at the School of Air Warfare in Australia in Sale. After having a family, Suzie is now in the Air Force Diversity and Inclusion team, advocating for a more inclusive Defence Force. Which is evident with the Air Force, recently marking the century by replacing the use of the term airman with aviator, with the aim of presenting itself as more inclusive to its present and future workforce. 

In my communication with Suzie, she sends a message to all young women “yes YOU can”. You can find a framed photograph of Suzie in the RSL.

Anzac Day is a day of remembering and honouring. As a young person myself, continuing the tradition in our community is important to acknowledge the sacrifice of men and women at war.

Thank you and Lest We Forget

CSC encourages Nude Food. We love it! 

By bringing food in lunch boxes and reusable containers we can make a big difference to the amount of rubbish being created at school.

Buying in bulk is cheaper, using reusable packaging much neater.

Thank you for your help.