Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have reached the halfway point of term one and it has been wonderful to see our community come together at events such as assemblies, swimming carnivals, picnics and school excursions. 

Our School Council election process has been finalised and this year we welcome Vinnie Pohoolmull, Megan Considine and Robert Backhouse.  They join the following parents to complete our Council;  Bryony Nayagam, Patrick Donaldson, Rohan Obst, Megan Brock and Sally Grant.  Thank you to Lisa Clausen, Zoltan Rajki and Gabrielle Proctor who leave Council this year.  We thank them for their contributions.

In July last year the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022 came into effect.  One of the key changes included in the Agreement was for time in lieu to be provided where an employee is required by the principal to perform duties in excess of 38 hours per week for a full-time employee, or the normal hours of a part-time employee.  We are pleased that this provision recognises the additional hours worked by school staff at events such as camps, information nights, parent-teacher meetings and Art and Science shows. 

However, providing time in lieu will significantly impact the school budget as no additional funding has been provided to schools to execute this requirement.  In 2022, the School Council committed to the Year 3-6 camping program, recognising that it will cost the school an additional $30,000-$35,000 in the acquittal of time in lieu.  The School Council will consider whether camps are viable beyond 2023 as the impact is not only financial but also teaching and learning are impacted as casual teachers may be required to replace staff following their attendance at a camp.  For example, for a 3-day camp, each staff member will be entitled to a minimum of 3.2 days time in lieu.  These additional costs also reduce the amount of money the School Council can allocate to our teaching and learning programs.

As a result of the time in lieu requirements, you may see a number of events that previously occurred outside of school hours, being scheduled within the school day.  For example, any future school productions, year-level dances, and parent information sessions may be held during school hours.

We thank you for your support and understanding as we navigate these significant changes.

Warm regards,

Megan

Clifton Hill Primary School acknowledges the Wurundjeri people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we come together to learn, and we pay our respects to Elders of the Kulin Nation past and present.