St Anne's College 

Advisory Council

Nominations to join Advisory Council close soon

The St Anne’s College Advisory Council is a key element in supporting the work of our Principal and contributes to shaping the vision and strategic direction of our college. Together, we can support the college's development and help the college achieve the goals set out in its School Improvement Plan. 

There is currently a vacancy in the college parent/guardian community membership and nominations are now open if you would like to join the Advisory Council. The term for this vacancy will begin in January 2022. You will be provided with an induction to the Advisory Council that will enable you to be clear on your roles and responsibilities, and how the role of the Advisory Council differs from that of the Principal and school leadership team. 

If you wish to nominate for the vacant position, please submit your nomination in writing to  Principal Sue Carroll at scarroll@sackialla.catholic.edu.au or Advisory Council Chair Annette Jakob at annettejakob@bigpond.com by Thursday, September 9, 2021. Late nominations will not be accepted. If there is only one nomination, the nominee will be declared as elected. If there is more than one nomination, the college community will hold a ballot, with voting to open on Friday, September 10 and close at 5:00pm on Thursday, September 16, 2021. The college community will be advised of the new member on Friday, September 17, 2021 via the college newsletter. 

 - Jennifer Nind, Advisory Council Deputy Chair

Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions which provides more insight into becoming a member of the St Anne’s College Advisory Council:

1. Do I need a specific skill set to become an Advisory Council member?

No. The most important contribution to the Advisory Council is being a parent and/or guardian, motivated to be involved and engaged with the St Anne’s College community. The individual motivation is to be focused on the whole school community, with an interest in the strategic direction and growth for those who seek an education at St Anne’s College, and to be willing and open to a common purpose, understanding and sharing of ideas. 

2. What is the commitment?

The tenure of membership is for a three-year term.  During this period, the commitment requires attendance at two Advisory Council meetings per term, in weeks 3 and 8, over the course of the school year. The meeting is currently held on a Thursday evening from 6:15pm to 8:30pm.  The meeting agenda and preparation reading is emailed one week prior to the meeting. There is time required to read through the material in order to actively participate in the meeting. At times there may be projects that require consultation and involvement of Advisory Council member(s). This involvement would be a voluntary commitment. 

3. Do I need to be Catholic to become an Advisory Council member?

No. There does need to be an openness to learning about Catholic education and a commitment to actively support the Vision and Catholic Identity of St Anne’s College.  To refresh,  St Anne’s College is a Catholic community welcoming all, inspired by a loving God, committed to faith, wisdom and learning. Central to the mission of St Anne’s College is an unequivocal commitment to fostering the dignity, self-esteem and integrity of children and young people and providing them with a safe, supportive and enriching environment to develop spiritually, physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially. St Anne’s College promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all students. At St Anne’s College we strive to: Develop a relationship with God that supports and nurtures our personal faith; Create relationships that are collaborative and in partnership with students, staff, parents, parish and the wider community; Empower individuals to grow in confidence and a willingness to explore their world: spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally and physically; Implement a curriculum that is contemporary, focuses on the needs of the individual and celebrates the joys of new learning. 

4. As an Advisory Council member can I make changes to the operational management of St Anne’s College?

No. The St Anne’s College Advisory Council is the leading consultative and advisory group for the Principal, as an active forum for parent and community participation, providing support and advice, principally in strategic planning and school improvement. As outlined in the CES Limited Governance Charter, Advisory Council members do not have decision-making powers. The St Anne’s College Advisory Council is intended to: Provide a voice for members of the school community; Actively support, in collaboration with the local parish, the Vision and Catholic Identity of the College; Provide input into and support for strategic planning and directions; Provide input and contribute advice in the processes of school improvement and school review; Support the Principal in meeting his/her responsibilities and accountabilities for educational outcomes, effective stewardship of resources, and annual reporting; Actively support the Principal in the encouragement of parent/guardian engagement; Support the ongoing sustainability of the Council and its members in its succession and learning.

 - Annette Jakob, Advisory Council Chair

Lorraine has deep roots in St Mel's Parish

Some, reading this, might remember me from far off school days at St Mel’s, late 1950s, when I taught Grades 3 and 4, and the parish school, like most in the diocese, was our one precious multi-purpose building.

Our schools have now reached 200 years of existence, and remain one of the Church’s most important efforts to tell the Good News. Our beautiful school, St Anne’s, is one of the many throughout Australia that has its origins in the vision, generosity and effort of a parish. A parish hopes to be a community of people, a community of faith in the values and vision of Jesus. St Anne’s is also the school of choice for families, who while differing as to religion, are no less people of faith, for whom these values are central.

It is a privilege to serve on the Advisory Council of St Anne’s, as the St Mel’s Parish representative and to help keep alive the reality that, in developing our school, we build upon memorable foundations. Walking the floorboards of a classroom as a teacher and principal is a long time ago now for me, so I am still amazed by the modern technology that assists today’s educational efforts.

Shepparton is my birthplace and the ancestors who settled in this district were escapees from the Irish Famine. I am Great Auntie to several of the latest generation of the extended family, who attend both our parish schools. Life has taken me to live and work in other countries, to experience something of other cultures, and to reflect upon that experience. I think I can listen well to various points of view and would be happy to have a conversation with anyone.

 - Lorraine Walker, Advisory Council Representative Member

St Anne's College Advisory Council

The St Anne’s College Advisory Council members are:

Ex-officio members:

Sue Carroll

David Villani

Fr Peter Taylor

Sr Geraldine Larkins – Catholic Education Sandhurst Executive Director appointment

Representative members:

Lorraine Walker – St Mel’s representative

General members:

Kim Daldy

Tammy Holton

Nicole Miller

Adrian Raymer

Advisory Council Chair – Annette Jakob

Advisory Council Deputy Chair – Jennifer Nind