School Council News 

Seeking Input into School Council Subcommittees

 In 2025, 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 2025?

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. Source grant opportunities for the school. 

In 2025, 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. 

A detailed ‘Terms of Reference’ document is available for the above subcommittee. 

Governance Sub-Committee: 

Oversee the governance aspects of school management, improvement targets and aspects of the strategic direction of school. Oversee the policy documents written by school to provide approval recommendations to School Council. 

In 2025, this subcommittee will engage in community consultation regarding our school’s ‘Uniform Policy’ and also lead a review of School Council processes in accordance with the ‘School Council Self-Assessment Tool’.

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

Upwey.south.ps@education.vic.gov.au 

School Council Membership 2025

Following our recent call for nominations, we can now announce the following membership for School Council: 

Parent Members:

• Rob Shepherd (2025-2027)- School Council President
• Lonia Mitchell (2025-2027)
• Clare Stewart (2025- 2027)
• Emily Rainey (2025-2027)- School Council Treasurer
• Damien Capocchi (2024-2026)
• Jessica Arnall (2024-2026)
• Cameron Glover (2024-2026)- School Council Vice President

Staff Members: 

• Llewela Humphries (2025-2027)- School Council Secretary
• Melinda Rowe (2025-2026)
• Stacey Bowles (2024-2026)

Executive Officer:

• Damien Kitch (ongoing)

In announcing the above cohort, we would also like to acknowledge and thank the following parents/carers for their valued input to School Council over the past year: 

• Hazel Tindal
• Eric Burgess
• Jess Mortimer

Facilities Upgrade Grant awarded to our school

Throughout this year, our School Council have been engaging in a lengthy grant application with the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA). 

We are pleased to say that, in the final week of December 2024, our school was informed that we have received a significant financial grant to upgrade and refurbish the breezeway toilets. Whilst this is an exciting outcome for our school, we must be mindful that the project will be VSBA managed (with school input) and is part of a series of grants across the state of Victoria. 

Indicative timelines indicate that building works will occur at some stage in late 2025. 

We will keep our community informed of progress, as information is provided to the school.