School Council News 

School Council - Snapshot

Our latest school council meeting was held onsite at 6pm on Tuesday 12 November. School Council came together in the new F Wing Learning Centre  for the second last time this term and year!

Several reports from the leadership teams were validated, all of these involve the student body as well as the infrastructure of our school.

Some highlights:

• Mr Ruff reflected on some of the events, activities, and responsibilities in his Principal  report; please refer to his summary published every Friday on Compass.
• Mr McMillin has been working hard to get the cordoned-off basketball court in the stadium up and running again; it seems that the crack in the wall will be reinforced soon and both courts will be available again for the start of the 2025 school year.
• Mr Bray is finalising the refurbishment of the reception area, with tradesmen working over the summer holidays, so our lovely admin staff and Joel have a new space to work in and oversee students in the new sick bay space.
• Stage Two building plans have been presented to council, and the future Science and Digital Technology building will fit in well in the existing school campus. Further information will come as budgets get approved.
• Our student council members Angus and Teiva took time out from their studies and exams to let council know about events at school, involving different year levels. Their new year plans are to expand and increase student involvement in the student council. Congratulations to Angus on becoming a School Captain for 2025.
• Both Year 7 and Year 12 camps at the beginning of Term 1 have been approved.
• The P&CA successfully ran their first Bunnings BBQ in Nunawading on the 3rd of November. Thank you to all the volunteers for giving up their time on a long weekend to make this a great fundraiser for the school community.

Another report that is presented every meeting is from our Business manager Nat Rieger and the overall review of the financial in and outs of the school. The draft new school contribution structure has been outlaid for 2025 and parents should not hesitate to discuss this with administration staff.

Thank you to all the staff members, students and parents, who prepare for these meetings every month.

Elisabeth Waycott

School Council Vice President

Reflecting on the past year, it’s inspiring to see how the whole school community has supported the growth and success of every student. The School Council has played a small but key role, assisting with strategy, policy, and financial oversight. While this governance role might sound a bit dry, it’s always engaging!

The School Council is made up of elected and co-opted parent, staff, and student representatives, each bringing a diverse range of skills, experiences and perspectives. We work collaboratively and respectfully to ensure the school operates transparently and in the best interests of its students and community. One of the highlights of our meetings this year has been hearing from the Student Representatives (and School Captains), who provide valuable insights into student opinions and regularly report on the diverse academic and co-curricular activities and achievements within the student body. Sometimes, it’s hard to believe that such a long list of activities has taken place in just a month! Another highlight was starting the year with a meeting in the beautiful new F-wing, the culmination of Stage 1 of the school’s building program. The state-of-the-art learning spaces in this building are no doubt appreciated by the students. Looking ahead, Stage 2 of the works is now in the pipeline and with the school’s growth - and the benefits this brings - capital works are essential to ensure that Mullauna can continue to meet the community's needs into the future.

The School Council is delighted to see the successful launch of the Mullauna Parent & Community Association (P&CA). This new initiative has created an extra layer of engagement with families and is providing essential support to the school. The P&CA has already had a significant impact through its successful fundraising efforts and valuable assistance at school events, such as the annual Art Show.

The Council has had a busy year, reviewing monthly finances, discussing and endorsing school policies, and handling other key tasks. Early in the year, we endorsed the Annual Implementation Plan (AIP), which puts the 4-year School Strategic Plan into action. The AIP details how the school will implement its goals and key improvement strategies for the coming year. The school has already made significant progress on its Strategic Plan, as reflected in student results. The principal team, teachers, support staff and students should be very proud. The Annual Report to the School Community was discussed and endorsed at a school council meeting in Term 1. This report highlights the school’s achievements and progress and fulfills a reporting requirement. It includes details on student outcomes, attendance, and financial activities. Presented at a public school council meeting in July, it is now available on the school web site. More recently, the School Council has focused on 2025, approving the indicative cash budget (anticipated revenue and expenditure) and family contributions for the next year.

Thank you to all the School Council members who have generously dedicated their time and expertise to make this year a success. As my youngest child finishes Year 12, my term on the Council is coming to an end. I encourage all parents, whether you have one child or several at the school, to consider standing for election next year. It’s a great way to show your commitment to your child's education and our school community. Your involvement can make a real difference and help continue the positive impact on our school. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to work with a fantastic team!

Liesl Coulthard

School Council President