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From Christian's desk....

School Council President Report – School Council AGM March 2024

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you to all School Councilors for their valued contributions and engagement in 2023.  After the first School Council election in over 22 years, we welcomed Matt Cook (Treasurer) and Christian Hesse as new members, in addition to Georgina Standfield, Angela Ricketson (Vice President) and Roseda Campbell who were re- elected.  They joined existing members Christian Holdsworth (Executive Officer), Angela Stevens, Jordan Tate, Ali Mulder, Greg Cowan, Gareth Smith, Jessica Kaaden (Community CHAPS member), and Matt Nott (MOTHS), along with me as President. 

 

Thank you to those that renominated this year - Matt Nott, Christian Hesse, and Jessica Kaaden - and welcome to new members in 2024 - Ashley Gregory, Laura Ervine, and Tegan McClellan.  We are looking forward to having you as members on Council this year. We appreciate the commitment that Ash Gregory displayed as he attended Council and Finance meetings as a valued guest throughout the entire year and has now joined as an official member. 

 

At the end of 2023, we shared our collective gratitude and thanks with exiting members Ali, Roseda, Greg and Gareth for their respective valued input and dedication to Council for many years. 

 

I would like to pass on our collective thanks and appreciation for the work that Angela Stevens is responsible for within the school and on School Council.  Most of the work is unlikely to be visible to all councillors or families but there is detailed transparency provided on numerous financial reports; a commitment to ongoing fiscal excellence including adequate budget expenditure and revenue controls; proactive securing of grants and hire agreements with local sporting/community teams; management control for OSHC (along with Christian); participating in audits relating to Finance and School Council; and keeping accurate records for School Council. 

 

Thanks to Christian for the constructive partnership within School Council as Executive Officer and the extended School Community in general. Your continual dedicated and focused efforts at CHPS allows the school community to go from strength to strength and the school’s reputation remains solid as demonstrated by enrolment numbers, staff stability, student’s wellbeing support and academic results, and annual survey outcomes. It was welcome news in 2023 when you accepted the contract renewal for another 5-year term as Principal and you have shared with me that you are planning to remain at CHPS for the foreseeable future. 

 

Thanks also to Julie, Bree, and Amy (from Term 4) for their leadership contributions in their respective areas in 2023.  We appreciate all that you do for the families, staff, and students at CHPS. 

 

2023 REFLECTION 

In 2023 we were able to host all School Council meetings without interruption and had the full scale of workshops which was welcomed by members.  The class structure at CHPS is now consistent across the school with straight grades from Prep to Grade 6 (with Grades 5 and 6 starting in 2024).  This has been implemented deliberately and progressively to allow for adequate preparation time for staff and to align with enrolment numbers for the year levels. 

 

Some notable achievements by School Council in 2023 include: 

  • A long list of facilities upgrades (listed below). 
  • Preview and consultation of the updated student reports. 
  • Supporting the Principal team throughout 2023.
  • Positively promoting School Council resulting in new and recurrent parent nominations in 2024.
  • Workshops on the following:
    • School Council Induction and Child-Safe Standards
    • NAPLAN results
    • Parent Opinion Survey
    • Attitude to School Survey
    • Review of the SSP 
    • School Council Self-Assessment 
  • The establishment of the first MOU with Croydon Hills Netball Club, which was endorsed by Council for improved collaboration and a focus on planned facilities upgrades of the shared courts throughout the coming years. 
  • Ongoing and new hire agreements in the stadium/oval with local sporting and community groups.
  • Endorsing and supporting CHAPS and MOTHS events, leading to beneficial community engagements and valued fundraising (which typically contribute to facilities upgrades like the new Middle Oval sports field). 
  • Ongoing consultation regarding Traffic and Pedestrian Safety issues on Campaspe Drive resulting in Council implementing new management measures in 2023 after initial discussions in 2022.
  • Endorsement of the 2024 Parent Payment Arrangements. 
  • 2024 Indicative Budget was passed.
  • Approving a full year of camp helpers, excursions/incursions and events. 
  • Grant applications resulting in funds of $70,000.00. 

     

Additional subcommittee highlights include:

BUDGET & FINANCE

  • School Council can confirm that CHPS remains in a very sound financial position and there is a commitment in 2024 to increase the funding of curriculum programs and providing sufficient resources for students both in the classroom and within school grounds. This includes the planning for many facilities upgrades. 
  • The notable revenue streams including OSHC, Parent Payments and Grants remained consistent in 2023 which supports many programs that occur at CHPS. In 2023 there was a minor fee increase in OSHC fees (which was pre-determined after the previous year’s comparison exercise and increased rebates being implemented) and Parent Payments have not increased in 2024. 
  • Thanks to Matt C for taking on the role of Treasurer in 2023. 

POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW

  • There have been many policies reviewed, updated, and ratified by SC this past year. Thanks to the subcommittee members, led by Jordan, for their input during the policy review process and for updating these policies.

JUNIOR SCHOOL COUNCIL (JSC)

  • CHPS and School Council value student voice and their input is meaningful and welcomed at School Council and by the School Improvement Team.  I’d like to thank all JSC members and Senior School Leaders that presented updates to School Council throughout the year. It is a highlight hearing from the students about their ideas and projects. We look forward to seeing your plans and ideas for 2024. 

FACILITIES & THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT 

  • This committee have ensured that the school’s facilities continue to evolve to meet the needs of our current and future students. 
  • Some of the work conducted in 2023 include:
    • Ceiling refurbishment completed (funded by a state budget grant)
    • Installation of the Netball Shelter (funded by a community grant)
    • Preparation for the bike shed installations (installed in early 2024)
    • Soccer field fencing (partially funded by local council) 
    • Designing of the new playground near the stadium to be installed in Term 2, 2024. 
    • Ongoing updating and tracking of the maintenance plans, including a painting schedule for 2024.

CHAPS & MOTHS

  • I would like to thank all CHAPS members for planning fun family events for the school community to engage in and for subsequently raising significant funds for the school.  The students, staff and families benefit from your concerted efforts. Thanks to Danielle for taking on the role as President last year and for leading the many community and fundraising events in 2023. It was pleasing to see Danielle recognised by Parents Victoria in 2023 after she was the recipient of the 2023 Joan Kirner Parent Participation Award. 
  • We acknowledged Nikky Edwards and her dedicated volunteer work throughout her extended time on CHAPS where she organised many events and driving the CHAPS FB page.  Thanks to Sally Meyer for taking the reins of the CHAPS FB page, you have already been doing a wonderful job and so many parents rely on your updates. 
  • Successful initiatives included the Trivia Night, Easter Raffle, Color Run, Disco Bunnings/Election/Carols BBQs, Chocolate Drive and the Mother’s and Father’s Day stalls; raising over $52,000.00 for the school and students!! All the best for a successful year ahead in 2024 with existing and new CHAPS members. 

 OSHC & VACATION CARE

  • Deb, Mandy, Kym and OSHC Staff provided students with quality programs outside of school hours throughout terms 1-3 last year. At the end of term 3 we farewelled Deb and Mandy from the OSHC team after ~30 years of service.  As a result, Kym and Cassie stepped in to fill these vacancies in term 4 and new staff have been hired since.  Thanks Kym and Cassie for the great work that you do and continuing the great OSHC service at CHPS. 
  • The OSHC (both ASC and Vacation Care) programs for 2024 are looking well established with a variety of activities and clubs for students to be involved in. 
  • In July 2023, a small fee increase was applied to BSC and ASC.  Fee increases are taken into consideration by comparing OSHC fees at many surrounding schools, considering the rising cost of food/services, and the support of government subsidies (CCS and ACCS). The cost of ASC and BSC at CHPS remains the lowest in the area. 

UNIFORM & CANTEEN 

  • The Uniform Shop and Canteen are very important services within our school.  I would like to thank Karen for coordinating these two services so effectively again in 2023.  Karen is a credit to the school, and we are grateful for her dedicated work and the way she manages and strives to improve these services.  Thanks also to Dee and Amy and additional staff for helping in these areas of the school. 
  • Many families and children enjoyed the Special Food Days in 2023.  The addition of the two new special uniform tops (Performing Arts and Indigenous Sports) in 2022 continue to be well received by students in 2023. 

PUBLICITY & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 

  • This subcommittee have continued their work on updating the school website, coordinating parent reps, and reviewing and presenting data from Naplan and Parent/Student/Staff surveys in 2023.  Thanks, Ali, for leading this subcommittee in 2023. 

FINAL REMARKS

In 2023, Councilors have contributed significantly to improving many elements of CHPS and have effectively supported the Principal team in 2023 with consistent engagement from members at both subcommittee and School Council meetings.  The feedback from the annual School Council Self-Assessment was positive and reflected the established format and group that we are working with.  Feedback received indicates that Council is well organised and timely; members maintain professional and respectful conduct and has a solid understanding of their roles; has a strong focus on students; and the ongoing success of consultative workshops at meetings ensure that all voices are heard. 

 

I am considerably grateful to the efforts of the CHPS staff every year and in 2023 this was no different.  Student engagement is evident from the participation in events, school attendance rates and the attitudes to schools’ survey results.  It is pleasing to observe students building on their educational success; being supported with their wellbeing; and partaking in excursions, camps, sports, and the many other activities that CHPS offers (particularly in the Specialist space).

 

I have enjoyed occupying the position of President for a fifth year and thank School Council for the nomination. I have enormous faith in the capabilities of our Principal, Assistant Principal’s, the School’s Leadership team, and the Staff employed at CHPS.  I look forward to another constructive and rewarding year on School Council and if elected, will continue to improve in the areas that we would like to improve on.  We have some exciting projects in the works for 2024 that are going to further enhance our facilities which in turn will benefit the students and the community.  The school review this year will also provide strategic direction for the next four years and I welcome all Councilors and families to provide input when appropriate. 

 

Thank you for reading - Sian Jamison, School Council President 2023

 

Christian Holdsworth - Principal