School Council Update

Welcome to our School Council Updates - First Edition

As a School Council, with refreshed membership this year, we have decided to tell you a little about us, the school governance, what we do, and want to start providing regular updates to the GSC community. So we hope you find this useful, and welcome your feedback.

 What We Do:

• The school council provide governance oversight and community linkage for the school. They set and review strategic direction, approve the annual budget, develop and monitor school policies, oversee facilities, hirings, and fundraising, plus engage parents and the local community. 
• Council acts at a governance level rather than managing daily operations, which remain the principal’s responsibility. By offering strategic advice, accountability, and a formal forum for community input, the council supports the principal’s leadership, helps align resources with priorities, and ensures transparent decision-making that advances student outcomes and school integrity, and builds trust between school and broader community over time continually.
• The Council has a President, and Vice President, a Treasurer, General members, and some of which lead Sub-Committees. 
• The Sub-committees (SC) enable efficiency in the core meetings, and provides focus, structure and ownership of important areas of School Governance, utilising expertise and specific interest of Council Members. 
• Our Finance Subcommittee is well established, and this year we have elected to create 2 further sub-committees; Policy and Fundraising. 
  • Finance provides oversight of school expenditure, and earnings. 
  • Policy provides parental voice and governance oversight to regular reviews of policies.

  • Fundraising sets a calendar of events, approves viable proposals and guide students in preparing applications.

     

Who We Are:

• President - Emma Peel
• Vice-President/ Policy SC - Suzanne Larkin
• Treasurer/ Finance SC - Darren Crump
• Finance SC / Fundraising SC - Leonie Williams
• Policy SC / Member - Sergio De Judicibus (finishing up end of 2025)
• Member - Martin Bartasek
• Member - Misty Carter
• Member - Alana Joynes
• Member - Parminder Jeet Singh

• Member - Justin Magnay

   

When We Meet:

• Core Meeting
  • 8 per year; Weds eve 6:30-8:30pm
• Finance Sub-Committee
  • 8 per year, ahead of Core meeting
• Policy Sub-Committee 
  • 4 - 6 per year, prior to Core Meeting
• Fundraising Sub Committee
  • 4 -6 per year, post SOG Fundraising

Current Activities:

• Reviewing Policies: Student Dress Code, Bus Safety
• Planning 2026 Calendar of Fundraising Events
• Monthly view of Finances

Future Work:

• Compass Usage - Feedback and Report on Issues / Improvements.
• Review and approve 2026 Annual Budget - in December

• Review School Report, in preparation for setting 4-year Strategic plan.

   

We are looking to increase student engagement, and the first step is to back-fill Student Representatives on Council. Please contact Sarah Rose, Principal, if keen to join.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and we look forward to updating you once a term on Council activities.  Meantime, if you would like any further information, or have items you would like considered, please reach out.

Emma Peel

School Council President

Gisborne Secondary College

gisborne.sc@education.vic.gov.au Attn: School Council President

About Me:

I have been on the School Council since 2022 and elected President recently in 2025.  I am an Engineer and have two children, currently at the school.  I attended government funded school myself, and believe public education should deliver quality teaching and learning for every student, regardless of background.   

I am passionate about STEM and hands‑on practical learning, which our school provides, with broad VC‑M pathways alongside academic excellence in its VCE offerings.   This school can equip students equally well for university and for skilled vocational careers, and I want to ensure Council decisions reflect that vision through partnership, inclusion, and clear, outcomes‑focused action.