School Advisory Council

The Sacred Heart School Advisory Council (SAC) has established an email address for families wishing to contact the council’s parent representatives directly. We would like to encourage all caregivers to please use the SAC email should you wish to share ideas, voice any concerns, or provide feedback on matters related to Sacred Heart. All emails will be handled in confidence. To contact the parent representatives directly please email: sac@shnewport.catholic.edu.au

Chair: Ian Cunningham

What is the School Advisory Council?

School Advisory Councils (SAC) are advisory bodies which form an important expression of the educational partnership that exists between parents, schools, parishes and the wider community to support all students. This is reflected in the ex officio membership of both the principal and the parish priest on the Council. What they do is governed by the Terms of Reference. 

The SAC provides a forum for discussion and discernment, where the parent voice and perspective are available to influence the decisions made by the principal and parish priest for the good of school and parish where the wellbeing and outcomes for students is paramount. 

The role of the School Advisory Council is to:

• ensure that, at the local level, Catholic schools will remain 'actively embedded in the life of the faith communities of the local Church, which in turn is tangibly manifest in the life of each school' 
• encourage the partnership and participation of school, parish and the wider community in the life of the school and parish
• allow school principals, parish priests and parents to work closely in the common mission they share. 
• provide a forum for discussion and discernment, where the parent voice and perspective are available to inform and support the decisions made by the Principal and Parish Priest for the good of School and Parish where the wellbeing and outcomes for students is paramount
• contribute to the selection process for the school principal via membership of the selection panel as per MACS and CECV policy and guidelines

• endorse particular documents (WTIM): Master Plans, Annual Budgets, Annual Reports, Strategic Plans

   

Meeting Dates 2026

When: The meetings are on Tuesdays at 6.00pm in the staffroom and the dates for next year are as follows: 10th March, 5th May, 16th June, 11th August, 13th October & 24th November (includes AGM) School Advisory Council Members

Members

The School Advisory Council for 2026 is as follows:

Principal: Kaylene Carlin

Parish Priest: Fr Samuel (Custodian of Mission)

Parishioner: Marlene Monahan (Custodian of Mission)

Chair: Ian Cunningham

Secretary: Caitlin McEwan

Parent Representatives:    George Dimitrakopoulos 

                                                     Camilo Pizarro

                                                     Gemma Smolenaers (newly appointed)

                                                     Glen Baird (newly appointed)

                                                     Ian Cunningham (newly appointed)

                                                     Justin Mulligan (newly appointed)

                                                     Joh Else (newly appointed)                                                     

Staff Members:      Erin Stone (Deputy Principal)

                                     Cath Palmer (Deputy Principal)

                                     Caitlin McEwan (Family Partnerships & Engagement Leader)

Contact Details: sac@shnewport.catholic.edu.au

Agendas

Principal Reports

Child Safe Standards 

At one of the early School Advisory Council meetings each year, the members are introduced to the new Child Safe Standards. There is opportunity for discussion and questions throughout. A copy of the slides is below for those interested in viewing and learning more about the important role the standards play in contributing to a child safe environment.