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Moonee Ponds West Primary School
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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 24th November 2025

School council met on Monday 24th November, starting with a report from William and Susan from Junior School Council on issues including advertising for the upcoming Fun Run, ensuring dedicated class time for JSC reps to liaise with and report back to students.

 

Jarrod provided the Principal’s report, noting Elisha’s upcoming departure from Moonee Ponds West for a seachange. We thanked her for all the work she has put in over the past two years, and congratulated Anna Gbikpi-Benissan as the new Assistant Principal beginning 2026. He noted the new Victorian public schools digital device guidelines that will come into effect in 2027 and that the existing MPW school policies are already compliant. Jarrod also confirmed the following Curriculum Day dates for 2026:

  • Term 1: Tuesday and Wednesday 27th & 28th January
  • Term 2: Friday 22nd May
  • Term 3: Friday 31st July (subject to change)
  • Term 4: Monday 2nd November

 

Jarrod raised the Cyber Safety Event by Susan McLean coming up on 4th December and that while uptake has been good, many places remain available. School Council notes the wealth of knowledge and insight that Susan brings to digital safety even for the tech savvy parents. Many parents describe her insights as eye opening. Any remaining places available by the end of 25th November will be offered parents of nearby schools to make the most of Susan’s valuable insights.

 

Rick Bottiglieri delivered the Resources Committee report with all financials in order. Fundraising events for the Christmas Raffle and Pizza Day (8th December) were approved.  The SCFA financial audit is in the process of being finalised and the final report will be tabled at School Council. Book pack lists for 2026 have been approved and the COS parent portal now allows families to modify item quantities to avoid the unnecessary purchase of items already owned. Rectification of the remaining defects related to the recent Capital works are being carried out and will be finalised shortly. A review of OH&S issues was conducted, discussed and reviewed to ensure their adequacy.

Concerns were noted regarding the after-hours use of the school grounds with some damage occurring recently. We encourage the community to use and look after the school grounds and the school will explore measures to protect the schools grounds while continuing this privilege.

 

Elisha reported on Education Committee which met on 10th November. The Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) is being reviewed to determine the focus for the 2026 school year. The SunSmart and the Mobile Device Policies were reviewed and endorsed by school council. 

 

The Community engagement committee report noted great feedback on the Comedy night fundraiser.  Upcoming events  can be found in the school calendar.

 

The final School Council meeting for the year will be held on Monday, 15th of December.

 

Daniel Bevz

School Councillor