School Council News 

School Council Membership 2026

On the evening of Monday 16th March we held the first meeting for our 2026 School Council cohort. 

Membership of the 2026 School Council is detailed below: 

Parent Members:

• Rob Shepherd (2025-2027) - School Council President
• Lonia Mitchell (2025-2027)
• Clare Stewart (2025- 2027)
• Emily Rainey (2026-2028)  
• Damien Capocchi (2026-2028)- School Council Treasurer
• Louise Alphonso (2026-2028)
• Cameron Glover (2026-2028) - School Council Vice President

Staff Members: 

• Llewela Humphries (2025-2027) - School Council Secretary
• Melinda Rowe (2026-2028)
• Rebecca Crawford (2026-2028)

Executive Officer:

• Damien Kitch (ongoing)

Parents/Carers are welcome to make contact with School Council through the following means: 

• via email to School Council President: robert.shepherd@education.vic.gov.au 
• via email to Executive Officer: damien.kitch@education.vic.gov.au 

Seeking Input into School Council Subcommittees

In 2026, we are seeking additional parent/carer involvement in helping to shape the future direction of our school. You can become involved in this exciting opportunity by joining a subcommittee. 

What is a subcommittee?

Joining a subcommittee is a great way to help support your child’s school. Subcommittees assist council in the work that needs to be done annually, and report regularly at school council meetings. They provide advice and make recommendations to school council, which has the final responsibility for making decisions. 

The decision-making responsibilities of the council should not be compromised by the work of any sub-committee. The membership, purpose and terms of reference of subcommittees are determined by the council. Members of a subcommittee may be school council and non-school council members. Sub-committees must have at least three members including at least one school council member. Sub-committees should have procedures for agendas, minutes and reporting to the council.  

What subcommittees are available to join in 2026?

Community Engagement Sub-Committee: 

Oversee the promotion of school to the wider community, with the aim of aligning joint practices and directions to promote community engagement; overseeing fundraising initiatives; coordinating Parents Association (PA) dates with wider school calendar dates; communicating opportunities for students, families and staff to engage with the wider community. This committee will also present PA Minutes to School Council, and act as the conduit between the PA and the School Council.  

In 2026, this subcommittee will action parent information evenings which are aligned with the curriculum directions of our school, with evenings to scheduled cover curriculum areas such as Auslan, Cybersafety, and Respectful Relationships. 

Education and Learning Systems Sub-Committee: 

The intent of this committee is not to interfere with the professional expertise of teachers or school leadership. Rather, it is designed to ensure that School Council maintains a structured and informed lens on the school’s core purpose: student learning. The subcommittee acts as a forum for Council members to engage constructively with the systems, policies, and strategic frameworks that support teaching and learning. 

In 2026, the roles of this subcommittee may include: periodic review of school policies; monitoring progress against the Annual Implementation Plan; provision of a forum for discussions regarding future strategic direction. 

Detailed terms of reference are available for the above subcommittees. To view these terms of reference, please email the School Council President robert.shepherd@education.vic.gov.au  

If you are interested in becoming involved in one of the above subcommittees, please email; 

Upwey.south.ps@education.vic.gov.au