Auburn South Newsletter

School Council

School Council Update

 

School Councils play a critical role in providing governance, oversight and strategic leadership. Auburn South has been well-served by its Council for many years; it has been a key cornerstone of our community – adding value, supporting our Principal and ensuring a significant value-add; be it financial or in-kind, through the dedicated expertise of Councillors.

 

Last Monday evening, the Auburn South Primary School Council Annual General Meeting for 2025 was held. This occasion provided an opportunity to highlight some of our achievements in 2024 and to pay tribute to those who made them happen.

 

Capital Works

Capital works form an important part of the way in which we contribute to enhancing our school and the environment our children learn and play in. This Council term saw the completion of two key projects; the front garden redevelopment and upper deck refurbishment. These are projects that will be enjoyed for many years to come and I acknowledge the remarkable dedication of Lisa Oaten and Council’s School improvement Committee for delivering these two wonderful projects!

 

Policy

Ensuring our policies are current, compliant, fit-for-purpose and relevant to the unique needs of our school is an important governance function, ably managed by Danielle Chubb and Rhian ap Rees. With the advent of the school’s new website in 2024, these policies are easily accessed by parents and prospective parents alike. Thank you Danielle and Rhian for your expertise.

 

Finance

Our school benefits significantly from strong financial stewardship and oversight and I pay tribute to our Treasurer Christian Lawless and Council’s Finance Subcommittee for their diligence and management.

 

Parents’ Association

Ensuring a vibrant school community is a partnership between the Principal and his team, the Council and the Parent body. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful community and some incredible parent events – events that are the envy of our neighbouring schools. Those events are the result of wide engagement, planning and coordination by the Parents’ Association. Thank you Sam Patil and her PA team for all they do for our community.

 

Council renewal

I want to pay tribute to our outgoing Council members; Amanda Schwilk, Vu Huynh, Jason Wong and Sarah Jang. Each of you have contributed much, dedicating your time and devoting your experience. For that we offer you our heartfelt thanks and gratitude.

 

Special thanks to Anthony Hunter, our outgoing Council Vice President. I am most thankful for the steadfast support and counsel Anthony provided me over the past two years. Additionally, we are all also immensely grateful for his leadership of the fundraising effort following the October tragedy, including the establishment of the trust and distribution of the funds to the affected families.

 

I warmly welcome our newly elected Councillors, Alec White and Therese Thornton. Thank you for choosing to contribute to our school community in this important way.

 

I was delighted to have been elected Council President for another year. I would like to congratulate those council members who were elected to office-bearer positions for 2025:

 

  • Eloise Bishop - Vice President
  • Christian Lawless - Treasurer
  • Danielle Chubb - Policy Chair
  • Lisa Oaten - School Improvements Chair

It is a privilege to work with my fellow Councillors and to lead such a talented team of people. I look forward to a productive year ahead!

 

Phoebe Demiris

Auburn South Primary School Council President.