Principal

Karen Jagers

The AGM of the St Philomena's School Board (soon to be known as St Philomena's School Advisory Body) will be held on Wednesday 27th April.  This meeting is open to the school community. This year there are vacancies for three representatives for the next two year period.  Parents who have served in the past have found it very interesting and informative. Please consider nominating for these roles.  More information is outlined below.

Easter is approaching at great speed and while we are busy making Easter hats and preparing for a family long weekend so do we also focus our thoughts on the reason for Easter: the death and resurrection of Christ.

On Thursday next week, class groups will participate in the Stations of the Cross which retell the Easter story.  Our parish services for Easter are outlined on our Catholic Community page.

School Board / Advisory Body Nominations For 2016

The School Board (School Advisory Body) is seeking nominations from parents interested in assisting the school as a Board Member for 2016.

This year there are three positions available, for a term of two years. Standing members are eligible for reelection after serving a two year term if they wish.

Nomination forms are available as a Google Form which can be completed online via the below link,  the Skoolbag App, or alternatively, complete the nomination form below and return to the school office.

Nominations will close on Tuesday 29th March 2016, therefore forms must be submitted/returned to school office before then.

If a vote is required, it will be conducted through the newsletter (as an online Google Form) from Thursday March 31st 2016. Results of the vote will be announced at the AGM (Wednesday 27th April) and in the newsletter on Thursday 28th April 2016.

The School Board AGM will be held on Wednesday 27th April 2016 commencing at 6pm. The location is to be confirmed. This meeting is the only School Board meeting which nonelected members are able to attend. We would be very pleased to see members of our parent community at this meeting to hear the annual reports.

The School Board is an advisory body and supports the Principal and Parish Priest. This group is not a decision making body. It is responsible for offering advice/support on school operational policies, finance, building and maintenance, staffing and curriculum and to keep in touch with the school community. Some sub committees are formed to assist these functions. Members are required to attend monthly meetings and an AGM of the Diocesan School Board Association. A high level of integrity and confidentiality is required.

The current members are:

Ex Officio Members:

Parish Priest: Fr Paul McCabe

principal: Mrs Karen Jagers

Finance Officer:Mrs Maree Lovett

Nominated Members:

Teaching Staff: Belinda Bremner (primary)

Kara Banson (secondary)

P&F: Scott Antees

Aboriginal Community: Lisa Madden

Elected Members:

Chairperson: Scott Carrigan

(current term of office concludes)

Secretary: Matt Haddad

(current term of office concludes)

Austin Finlayson

(current term of office concludes)

Glenn Bourke

Natalie Boydell

http://goo.gl/forms/Z8dj881Xeh

Roles of the P&F Association and the School Board / Advisory Body

P & F ASSOCIATIONS (caters for the whole school community)

> Involves all parents of students currently enrolled at the school, and friends of the school (e.g., past students, past parents, parishioners).

> Builds community ... social events.

> Provides an opportunity for parents to support one another in the education of their children by sharing of ideas and helping each other.

> Presents a particular identity to the wider community – (an identifiable parent body)

> Provides an opportunity for organised support for the school e.g., fund‑raising, volunteering.

> Is a “communication arm” of the school allowing for mutual exchange:

- Information in (to parents and friends):

• Information from principal and staff about the school and its curriculum,
• Information from the principal, priest and board about plans and decisions
• Information from the Parish Priest and out parish bodies to keep all well informed and involved

- Information out (from parents and friends):

• Provides a consultation opportunity as required …an opportunity to hear from the school community as plans are being developed and when drafts are ready for final decisions.

SCHOOL ADVISORY BODY (SCHOOL BOARD) (different from the Parents and Friends Association)

> Small Advisory group to Principal and Parish Priest

> This group shares in appropriate decision‑making for the school (e.g., policy making, budgeting, planning ahead for maintenance and development).

> Members, as representatives of the whole School Community are required to be responsible communicators, bringing to the Principal and Parish Priest a well‑informed understanding of the school community's needs and expectations. Also being able to respond, in a responsible and informed way, to members of the community when they ask or share concerns.

> Members assist the Principal and Parish Priest in specific areas of decision‑making (e.g., membership of panels for staffing or other task force work as requested).

> Members are called upon to represent the school community in association with similar bodies across the Diocese.

> Members need to keep up to date on what Catholic Schools are about, and need to be familiar with the context as well as the purpose of the local Catholic school.