Picnic in the Park @ Booran Reserve

We hosted our first Glen Eira College Parent’s Association (GECPA) event for 2021 on Sunday, 28 February between 11am and 2pm. The weather was kind to us and I’m told that an enjoyable time was had by all. It was particularly good to see everyone in-person.

Special shout-out to Cathy McNaughton for being there to set up, chalking the footpaths and being there for clearing up. Similarly, many thanks to all those who contributed to the event: there was food galore, lots of laughter and many put their hands up to get involved in upcoming events.

BTW: A set of car keys was found in the park during clearing up and taken to the school office.

The Picnic in the Park was a demonstration of what the Glen Eira College Parent’s Association (GECPA) is all about. We are an informal and friendly group of parents and carers of students at Glen Eira College (GEC) eager to connect with the school community and promote genuine parental engagement with GEC.

What do we do?

We act as a link between our parent community and GEC.
We represent an organised, parent perspective.
We provide parents and carers of students at GEC with a voice.
We support the school community by hosting events and sharing information.
We are involved in fundraising for the school.

Mailing list: Join our email list and don’t miss out on any of the 2021 events.

Committee Meetings: Thursday, 11 March 2021 at 8pm. A link will be provided closer to the day.

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

gecpa@gec.vic.edu.au I can’t wait for the next event.

Nicole Bishop

Convenor, Glen Eira College Parent’s Association

Do you have a Wellbeing Plan?

School lunches, work, dinner, sports, helping with homework…. and… repeat….

We all want the best for our children, especially during their secondary school years. We know that this period of time is important for them. But, prioritising our own mental wellbeing is also important.

If 2020 taught us anything, it was how important it was for us, as parents and carers, to strengthen our own mental health and wellbeing.

Why not create and implement a personalised Wellbeing Plan?

Step 1: Identify your wellbeing foundations

Happiness: what brings me joy, happiness and satisfaction?
Relationships: which of my relationships are positive and sustain me?
Engagement: how do I engage with work, community and other interests to add meaning and purpose?
Health: what are my biggest challenges to my overall health (psychological and physical)?
Work life balance: what strategies do I use to maintain a good work-life balance?

Step 2: Identify challenges and enablers to wellbeing

Supports/skills: what supports or skills do I need to access or learn?
Change: what changes can I make to improve my wellbeing?
Resources: who or what can help me achieve my goals?

Step 3: Goal setting

What internal resources (skills or strategies) do I already have that I can use effectively?
What are the external resources that I can reach out to help achieve these goals? (for example, friends, family, health professionals, the Employee Assistance Program).

Step 4: Plan review

Review and adjust your wellbeing plan regularly.

Entertainment Books!! Get them here!!!

Together, we're raising funds with Entertainment. Support your GECPA and your school. The direct link is here: https://au.entdigital.net/orderbooks/1879k65

Reminder: GECPA School Breakfast Club – Up and running!

OK… so the image is misleading, but… it was probably the first thing you thought of, as well!

Your GECPA was happy to contribute to the Glen Eira College School Breakfast Club program. The program is now up and running.

Why: The School Breakfast Club allows interested students to get a great start to the day with a healthy meal. Research shows that a good breakfast improves concentration throughout the school day and who knows, they may even make some friends.

When: Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning, from 8:00am to 8:30am.

Where: The Kitchen Garden located behind the Food Tech rooms. It is a warm and welcoming space!

For more information about the Breakfast Club Program and how to volunteer to help, contact Coordinator:

Kelli Lawson

Phone: 9571 7838

Email: kla@gec.vic.edu.au

Information about the program: www.foodbank.org.au/VIC/school-breakfast-clubs-in-action/

Top positive environmental stories from 2020

2020 was a difficult year for many, but some positive stories emerged.

Species were brought back from the edge of extinction; interest in renewable energy surged; environmental monitoring technology improved; new protected areas were created; and…. a few Indigenous women leaders got some long-overdue credit and recognition.

Indigenous women have long been leaders in the fight for environmental and social justice. In 2020, a few of those women were given some much-deserved and well-overdue credit, attention, and recognition for their work and leadership.

Time magazine named Nemonte Nenquimo, a leader of Ecuador’s Indigenous Waorani nation, one of the 100 most influential people of 2020. In 2019, Nenquimo filed a lawsuit against the Ecuadoran government and successfully protected 202,000 hectares (500,000 acres) of Indigenous territories and Amazon rainforest from oil exploration and extraction, setting an important legal precedent.

Nenquimo is the only female Indigenous leader on the Time 100 list this year, and only the second Ecuadoran ever to be named on the list.

Nemonte Nenquimo, Waorani leader of the Ecuadorian Amazon. (Photo: Mitch Anderson / Amazon Frontlines)

“We are not waiting for the government to respect us. We are demanding that they respect our life, our home, our culture and our territory. That’s the most important thing now.”

The Waorani victory sets an important legal precedent for other Indigenous communities in the rainforest and put in motion a movement to redefine national community consent laws.

What an inspiration! For more information:

https://youtu.be/RBb-UETVbGA

There are many students who bike ride to GEC regularly, some who ride on fine days and others who are yet to enjoy the fun and independence of “happy wheels”. GEC has participated in National Ride2School Day for many years. National Ride2School Day is a celebration of active travel and promotes healthy travel options to school.

Bike parking at GEC is on Neerim Road, in front of the gym and the arts section. Remember to bring your bike lock.

If you would like advice on the safest route to ride from your street to Glen Eira College please contact Cathy Mc Naughton - parent and member of Glen Eira Bicycle Users Group at GECPA at gecpa@gec.vic.edu.au

Safety is important when we share the road. Parents driving near school are asked to be especially careful around pedestrians and bike-riders and preferably park away from school so kids can walk. Maybe drop off near the town hall or Glen Huntly shops for a 10 minute walk or 5 minute scoot.

Greener GEC & Joining Parents Victoria

GECPA is keen to ensure that GEC is as green and sustainable as it can be. We are interested in reducing energy and landfill waste and installing solar panels at GEC. Please let us know if you have ideas, or hear of grants.

GECPA has also recently joined Parents Victoria - the peak body representing parents of students in Victorian government schools. They have some great resources on their website on family engagement with schools, supporting families of students with disabilities, new research on the high education value of government schooling, and advocating for students and families. Have a look at About - Parents Victoria

Community events

Trees - Have a favourite tree in Glen Eira that you think is worth protecting? Nominate a tree for Councils Classified Trees Register by March 31 Classified Tree Register - Glen Eira City Council | Glen Eira City Council

Tree Story MUMA Gallery Monash University Ground Floor Building F 900 Dandenong Rd Caulfield East

What can we learn from trees and the importance of Country?

Until April 10, free entry, opening hours Tue–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat 12–5pm, Closed Sun, Mondays by appointment

Current - Monash University Museum of Art

Choosing a plant-based diet: taking climate action through our food online event Thursday, 11 March 7- 8:15PM City of Stonnington 8290 2051

environment@stonnington.vic.gov.au Book online

Gardening in Autumn webinar Tuesday, 23 March | 06:30 PM to 08:00 PM

Gardening in autumn City of Stonnington Join us for a free webinar with Leaf, Root and Fruit’s Duncan Cocking to learn all about how to plan and prep your patch for maximum productivity during the cooler months.

Earth Hour Saturday 27th March – Make the Switch to Renewables

This Earth Hour, we’re encouraging people everywhere to make the #SwitchforNature to support Australia’s switch to a renewables-based economy. Simple switches you make in your daily life can help our planet.

You could:

- Switch to solar power.

- Switch your ride

- Or just #SwitchOff your lights for Earth Hour to show your support for Australia becoming a renewables powerhouse.

www.earthhour.org.au

Indigenous ecology walking tour

Saturday, 27 March | 11AM or noon Explore the sites, sounds, tastes and smells of the Glen Iris Wetlands and KooyongKoot (Gardiners Creek) with your tour guide, Wemba Wergaia man Dean Stewart.

Indigenous ecology walking tour City of Stonnington

All you need to know about Solar & Batteries

Webinar Tuesday, 30 March | 6:30- 8PM

All you need to know about Solar & Batteries Webinar City of Stonnington and Bayside

Composting for small spaces webinar

Saturday 1 May | 10:00- noon

Composting for small spaces City of Stonnington

Me too – where to from here? webinar 25 March |6:30-8PM

Join us online as our panel of esteemed experts from across the Monash Faculties of Arts, Education and Law discuss the intersections between the toxic cultures that can permeate in young people and schools, how this impacts on sexual, gendered and technology-facilitated violence, and the challenges associated with legal, social and cultural change.

#MeToo - But where to from here? (monash.vic.gov.au)

Cathy McNaughton

Editor, GECPA Newsletter

Contributors:

Mychelle Whitewood

Rose Robinson

Nicole Bishop

Community News / Advertisements