Patterson River Secondary College Newsletter

College Council Report

Update

The year has now entered its 3rd term and in less than 130 days the school year will draw to a close.  Patterson River Secondary College School Council has met three times since the 2018 newly elected members joined council.  At its April meeting the Council adopted a modified model for its Council structure that included:

  • forming three sub-committees: Buildings and Grounds, Finance, Student Learning
  • a nominated convener for each sub-committee
  • establishing sub-committee membership in consultation with council members
  • each sub-committee reporting on respective activities, progress and making recommendations to council
  • Inclusion of School Council report in the school newsletter.

School Council warmly invites parents to join these sub-committees.  Parents are also invited to attend and observe School Council meetings (sub-committees meet 5.30-6.30pm / council meets 6.30-7.30pm).  The Council welcomes community feedback and opinions, and parents are encouraged to interact with the School Council by presenting views personally or by submitting signed letters, responding to surveys and involvement in School Council sub-committee activities.

 

 

 

 

As an overview, the responsibilities of each sub-committee are outlined below

Building and Grounds

The sub-committee:

  • advises council about the maintenance requirements of facilities, buildings and grounds
  • makes sure activities in and around buildings and grounds are safe
  • makes recommendations about future development, required maintenance and timings
  • encourages and plans for the future improvement of the school surrounds and community facilities
  • oversees the engagement of paid workers and contractors to maintain school facilities
  • considers opportunities for fundraising and monitoring of grant or grant opportunities.

Finance

  • The sub-committee supports council through:
  • overseeing the development of the school’s annual budget
  • ensuring proper records are kept and monitoring of the school’s financial operation, revenue, expenses, liabilities, assets and levy collection
  • ensuring legislative policies are in place and reviewed
  • considering and assessing financial risks
  • monitoring legal requirements and audits
  • overviewing financial matters in context of future directions
  • monitoring of financials related to co-operative, trade training centre, administration.

Student learning

The sub-committee engages with staff and students and provides support to council through:

  • monitoring progress with the school’s annual implementation plan
  • monitoring of domain budgets and fees
  • student engagement via student school council representative attendance
  • review of policies
  • assessment of risk associated with camps and excursions.

 

Outcomes of School Council meetings held in April-July included:

  • Standing Orders for Council were amended to reflect the number of parents and representatives on Council
  • Welcomed the first ever student elected school council members; Peter Stones & Callum Johnstone
  • Reviewed and endorsed the College’s mid cycle review of the Annual Implementation Plan
  • Council endorsed the release of funds for works over the July break that included purchase and installation of lighting bars in PAC and purchase and installation of boilers for heating (where currently one is disconnected and other is in a poor condition)
  • Accepted the prior 2017 Council recommendations regarding student uniform that included:

- Elimination of polo shirt and replaced by unisex shirt

- Trousers as a unisex option

- Blazer and tie as an option

- Shorts and trousers to be tailored 

-  Approved tender process for supplier  to begin as per Victorian Government Department of Education and Training guidelines.

 

Debra Ramsey

College Council President