School Council Update
Belinda Hutchinson (mum of Harriet, 5/6A and Eloise, 4A)
Elsternwick Primary School
Dear EPS community,
The EPS School Council met most recently on Monday 10 August, this time as an online meeting via Webex. As always, there was plenty of good discussion on a range of topics including updates from the sub-committees of Finance, Buildings & Grounds, and Education & Policy.
Overall the school remains in great health with enrolments for Prep 2027 looking strong, and a recent review of our school’s performance against our Annual Implementation Plan seeing a very positive report be delivered by the external Senior Education Improvement Leader who conducts the review.
Finance
From a finance perspective, we once again spent some time discussing the importance of all families who are able to do so paying the annual voluntary contributions, to ensure the school can make informed decisions about resources, learning and support. Planning for the 2027 budget is now also underway.
Buildings and Grounds
There is ongoing work around facilities evaluation being led by Chris Till, resulting in a list of maintenance works in order of priority being created. A new contractor has been engaged to manage the oval aiming for better maintenance and revival of the existing turf. The development of a master plan is also underway. A big shout out to Chris for leading all of this work so capably on behalf of the school community!
Education and Policy
An update was provided about the ‘Yarn’ hosted at the school by the Koorie Education Support Officer which had a positive response and starts to build some momentum in this space, as well as the online seminar about ‘Raising Resilient Children’ which around 20 families participated in. Both the Devices and Homework Policy reviews continue with staff in the process of creating new guidelines and supports that will be communicated in due course.
Parents and Carers Association
An update was provided on the recent meeting bringing together parents and carers who are interesting in helping to support events and activities across the calendar year. Four meetings per year will be held, open to the whole school community, with a calendar of events agreed that will essentially be run by sub-committees. Specific callouts will be made via Compass before each event for anyone who wishes to contribute to specific initiatives.
The meeting closed out with best wishes to the EPS contingent heading to Mt Buller to compete in the InterSchool snow sports in August – the biggest team yet to head along.
Enjoy a busy few weeks as we roll into Spring!
Belinda Hutchinson (mum of Harriet, 5/6A and Eloise, 4A)