GEC Parents’ Association

Can you believe we are almost half-way through 2021?

This term was a biggie! NAPLAN, webinars about career planning for students and then focus groups to support GEC undertake a review of the vision and values of the College.

We also extended an invitation to all members of GEC School Council to attend our May Committee meeting (our first face-to-face meeting in a long time). We genuinely believe that having regular, two-way communication between the Parents Association and the Council will benefit both parties in supporting GEC. But you don’t need to be in the Council to attend. Meeting details are on Xuno and in Key Dates. Let us know if you wish to attend and we can provide you with more information.

May 17 was an important day. It was WHO | International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, which allows us to show our support and raises awareness about the work that still need to be done to combat discrimination.

Then there was Education Week (May 23-29). The theme was ‘Building Connections’, an opportunity to celebrate education across Victoria and re-affirm the importance of building connections with the broader community. There is so much to be gained when schools, parents and carers and the community come together to support learning – it provides a richer and more diverse learning experience for students. Who doesn’t want that?

I look forward to providing an update on the focus groups. I personally relish any opportunity to discuss the importance of education and contribute to the building of a vision and values. The email invitation to the focus groups was extended to all on our mailing list. If you want to remain in ‘the know’, join our email list and don’t miss out on any of the 2021 events we have planned to support our school community: click here to subscribe

For more information about the Glen Eira College Parents Association or to contact us:

gecpa@gec.vic.edu.au

Nicole Bishop

Convenor, Glen Eira College Parents’ Association

Parents Catering for School Production Supper

Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24th June evenings

Can you please bring along some small cakes, biscuits, fruit etc. to sell for a gold coin at supper for the audience at intermission? Helpers also needed to set up/clean up? Can you come one night? gecpa@gec.vic.edu.au

Working Bee - Parents and Students - Sunday 20th June 3-5pm

Please join us weeding and mulching garden beds – we need a big crew of helpers this time to carry and spread mulch. BYO barrows, buckets, forks, shovels, and rakes. Or alternatively you can pick up any litter from around the school.

Optional coffee or tipple afterwards at The Servery - Royal Ave Glen Huntly opposite Glen Huntly Station.

Thanks to the parents who worked on Sunday 16th May picking up litter, weeding and trimming low branches over the footpath near the pedestrian crossing.

Working bees are 3rd Sunday of the month 3-5pm.

Safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists - Neerim and Booran Roads at GEC

Parents have raised concerns with The Minister for Roads, VicRoads and Glen Eira Councillors to improve safety for children and community cycling and walking near Glen Eira College. The recent road resurfacing is an opportunity to upgrade safety by:

continuing marked bike lanes all the way to the intersection
removing old confusing speed limit signs that undermine the 40kmph speed limits all day past GEC installed in 2018
adding a green man signal to traffic lights that lack them and create dangerous confusion for pedestrians
reviewing the left turn priority from Booran into Neerim Roads that reduces pedestrian and cyclist’s safety.

Anyone sharing these concerns or with other ideas is encouraged to write to:

Roads Minister ben.carroll@parliament.vic.gov.au
VicRoads Message us : VicRoads
Glen Eira Councillors Councillors - Glen Eira City Council | Glen Eira City Council

Inquiries Catherine McNaughton 0412 119 807 If driving near GEC please drive carefully, especially on school days.

Parents' Voice: Streets are for Everyone Consensus Statement - Call for safer streets

Parents’ Voice (an online movement of parents who are interested in improving the food and activity environments of Australian children) has endorsed the Streets are for Everyone Consensus Statement along with VicHealth, Heart Foundation, Victoria Walks, Bicycle Network, RACV and Monash University and others. These groups support safer streets for kids and communities walking, cycling, scooting and skating. Their vision is “Vibrant, active and connected communities where people can walk and ride bikes for leisure, running errands or commuting” and more government funding for safety upgrades.

News (victoriawalks.org.au)

Head Start apprenticeship and traineeship program

Head Start is the new model that school students will experience when they become apprentices and trainees.

The students that are part of the Head Start model will spend more time doing what is important, getting paid and on-the-job training while completing their VCE or VCAL at school.

The Godmothers by Monica McInerney - Wed 9 June 7-8PM Glen Eira Library Online

Join writer, Claire Halliday, in conversation with Australia's number one best-selling author, Monica McInerney as they discuss Monica's latest novel. The Godmothers is a moving story about lies, love, sorrow and hope and is set in Australia, Scotland, Ireland and England. Monica McInerney's other best-selling novels include: The Alphabet Sisters and Those Faraday Girls. Suitable for adults and teens ages 16 and up.

The Godmothers by Monica McInerney - in conversation with Claire Halliday | Glen Eira Library

Look out for Glen Eira Story Telling Festival June 19-July 4 Home | Glen Eira City Council

Cathy McNaughton Editor, GECPA Newsletter

Rose Robinson Sub-editor, GECPA Newsletter

Contributors: Nicole Bishop

Tessa Spanneberg

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