School Council News
Welcome to 2025!
A big welcome back to all our students, staff, and families – and a special welcome to those joining us for the first time this year. It’s fantastic to see our new Year 7 students settling in, and we’re excited about the year ahead, full of learning, growth, and new connections. We look forward to a positive and engaging year for all.
Encouraging Student Involvement
This is a perfect time for students to dive into school life outside the classroom. Getting involved in school activities is a great way for students to meet new people, develop skills, and make lasting memories. Here are some ways to encourage your child to get involved:
- Join a club or activity: There’s something for everyone, whether it’s academic, creative, or sport-based.
- Sports and Performing Arts: Encourage them to join a sports team, enrol for music lessons, or audition for the school’s musical or drama performances.
- Leadership Opportunities: If they’re interested, they could run for a position on the Student Representative Council (SRC), helping shape the school’s direction.
- Volunteer: Participating in school or community events is a great way for students to give back while developing valuable skills.
- Attend school events: From carnivals to concerts, attending school events helps students connect with their peers and get involved in the community.
How Parents Can Get Involved
Secondary school can be different for parents. We’re not as hands-on as we were in primary school, but there are plenty of ways to stay involved and show your child that you care about their education. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Join the Parents and Friends Association (PFA): Volunteer at school events or help organise social gatherings for year groups.
- Attend school events: Even if your child isn’t directly involved, it is great to show your support for the school community.
- Run for School Council: If you’ve got a passion for making a difference, the upcoming elections are a fantastic opportunity to get directly involved in school decision-making. More details below.
School Council – What’s It All About?
Every school has a Council, and at Cheltenham Secondary College, the School Council plays a vital role in overseeing the school’s strategic direction. We work closely with the leadership team to monitor budgets, policies, and initiatives, always with the goal of providing the best possible education for our students.
Our School Council is made up of a mix of parents, students, staff, and community members. We also have several sub-committees that focus on key areas such as student wellbeing, education policies, and facilities.
Get Involved – School Council Elections are Currently Underway
The School Council elections are coming up, and this is your chance to have a voice in shaping the direction of our school. If you’re interested in making a difference, now is the time to put your hand up.
Being part of the School Council means you can:
- Contribute your thoughts on important school issues
- Be the voice for your fellow parents and friends
- Help guide decision-making processes
- Build connections with other parents and create a stronger school community
- Support policies that benefit students and their education
Election Dates
Please note the important dates for the upcoming School Council elections:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Nominations Open | Tuesday 4th February |
| Nominations Close | Tuesday 18th February |
| Ballot Papers Distributed (if an election is required) | Monday 24th February |
| Voting Closes (if an election is required) | Tuesday 11th March |
| Vote Count and Declaration of results (if an election is required) | Wednesday 12th March |
| Special Council Meeting (Community Members) | Tuesday 18th March |
| First Council Meeting (Election of Office Bearers) | Tuesday 18th March |
If you’re considering running for a position, please read up on the Council's role and responsibilities, current issues and initiatives. If you or someone you know would be a great fit, we’d love to see you stand for election. And if you’re not standing, make sure to vote – your voice matters!
College Sponsor
We are excited to announce that CSC has a new, school council approved sponsor, Angela Limanis, from Ray White Bayside (Cheltenham, Sandringham, Mordialloc).
Angela, whose daughter is a CSC alumni, is a Sales Consultant and Auctioneer and your point of contact if you are looking to sell or purchase a home; the bonus is that Angela will donate $1,000 to the College for every referral (that sells) from a CSC family. At our 2024 Presentation Night, Angela also donated the cash prizes for our five School Services Awards and four College All-Rounder Awards. We are very grateful to have a relationship with Angela and look forward to working with her. You can contact Angela on 0414 664 374 or angela.limanis@raywhite.com.
Welcome back to the CSC Community Angela!
Final Thoughts
It’s a busy start to the year with Year 7 and 11 camps, Year 12 formal, and NAPLAN just around the corner. There’s a lot to look forward to in 2025, and we’re excited to see all our students take on new challenges and opportunities.
I encourage you to get involved in whatever way you can, whether that’s volunteering, attending events, or running for a position on the School Council. The more we all contribute, the stronger our school community will be.
Wishing you and your family all the best as we kick off what is sure to be an amazing year at Cheltenham Secondary College.
Finally, if you are on Facebook, then join the family community for swapping information, textbook and uniform secondhand sales: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cheltsecfamily
Janine Abbott
School Council President