Moonee Ponds West Primary School

School Council 

School Council membership 2025

Parent members

  • Kieran Barns-Jenkins
  • Daniel Bevz
  • Rick Bottiglieri
  • Ben Gibson
  • Margaret Hua
  • Catherine Luong
  • Nerida Rixon
  • Tom Rundle

Employee members

  • Kristy Bedford
  • Elisha Katsonis
  • Jarrod Sutton

School Council Secretary

  • Sandra Monaghan

Office Bearers

School Council President

Rick Bottiglieri

School Council Vice President

Ben Gibson

School Council Treasurer

Tom Rundle

School Council meeting 23rd June 2025

 

School Council Meeting 23rd June 2025

School Council met for our June meeting. 

Rick opened the meeting by welcoming JSC representatives Django and Peppa, who presented an update to School Council including:

  • JSC’s focus on Nude Food and reducing packaging and rubbish in the school yard. They reported that classes have reported a 50% reduction in rubbish. 
  • JSC’s focus on supporting the launch of the new School Values in class and at assembly, the current value being promoted is RESPECT. 
  • Their report also acknowledged JSC’s pyjama day for recognition of Winter Solstice on Friday. The school raised $340 as part of the gold coin donation on the day, and the money raised will go to supporting the homeless.
  • Councillors extend their thanks to the JSC representatives for the work they are doing across the school, in particular about the care of the school yard.

Jarrod delivered the Principal's Report and updated us on several key areas:

• 3-way conferences are coming up at the beginning of Term 3. We generally get about 80-90% of attendance from families through Compass bookings. Teachers generally follow up parents who do not book to organise a time to meet. 

• Dress Code Policy and Complaints Policy have been updated, reviewed and were both endorsed. The Dress Code update reflects the new updated department policy. Minimal changes were made, more specific explanation around affordability and purchasing options for bottom items.

• A reminder regarding the upcoming Term 3 Curriculum Day on 21st August. This will be a staff professional learning day.

 

Tom reported on the Resources committee meeting, where financial reports were discussed and endorsed. 

  • The Department has reviewed arrangements for schools to have an increase in the amount of coverage for the school’s Property and Grounds Insurance. Insurance arrangements will now increase coverage to $500,000. This school based insurance covers areas and equipment such as the playgrounds, shade sails, Tiger Turf and Gym Kitchen. 
  • Grounds update- some maintenance items from the latest facilities audit by the VSBA overlap with the Capital Works. The school is working on its maintenance plan to address these items. Camp Australia has raised concerns with a number of individuals riding bikes during the OSHC service after hours. Safety is a priority for students in the service. Jarrod will communicate reminders in the next newsletter and is investigating updating signage for around the school.

 

Kristy shared updates from the Education Committee:

• Work on the new Victorian Curriculum is progressing to align documentation in Curriculum Teams. 

• School values launch has focused on RESPECT, and JSC are supporting this roll out. Yard responsibilities is also being refined by staff and JSC.

• A review of the student engagement and wellbeing policy is currently underway.

Nerida reported on the Community Engagement group meeting: 

  • Reminders about Semester Reporting coming up this term. Parent Reps will communicate reminders about use of the Compass App and the website for Reporting elements (website is best option).
  • Parent Reps were made aware of Camp Australia’s concerns about bikes in the school after hours, and the impact it is having on the service. Parent Reps will remind families about expectations.
  • The school is looking into a parent information session with Susan McLean regarding Cyber Safety. An EOI will be sent to gauge interest. Looking at potential dates of Susan’s availability.
  • Looking ahead, plans are underway for an evening social outing for father’s day. Questions were asked regarding the proposed date of September 5th, and the Term 3 school fundraising event, which is the parent social evening has been tagged for September 6th. There is a group (committee) of fathers organising the father’s day catchup evening and will confirm the arrangements to community members once finalised.

The meeting concluded with Jarrod presenting the annual Child Safe training to School Council. This covers awareness of the Child Safe Standards, School Policies and Processes and School Council’s role in supporting the school to be Child Safe.