school council 

18 December 2020

The last School Council meeting for 2020 was held on Thursday 3 December via Zoom. As is custom at this meeting the main focus for the evening is to get an update on the end of year financial position for 2020, pass a financial budget for 2021 and briefly review some School Council priorities and structure for the next year.

Ange Hopkins attended the meeting and supported Lilian Lim (BNW Treasurer) in presenting four documents with a range of motions to pass and another detailed document on the 2021 Budget. Firstly, it’s important to acknowledge Lilian and Ange for the power of work they did in the lead up to the meeting and more generally in navigating a very challenging year in terms of tracking, updating and managing the school’s finances. 

School Council approved some updates to Family Accounts, approved treatment of the 2020 Excursion/Incursion Levy (you will have or will receive communication about this) and a thorough update on the DET Deficit. The DET Deficit has been managed so well by the Finance Committee team and the school is ahead of its projections to have this resolved within next year; an outstanding result.

A conservative budget was approved by School Council which was informed by all the Sub Committees who presented the month prior, and lots of inputs from the teaching and leadership teams.

We closed the meeting out with a discussion about the structure of School Council for 2021. Given there were a few Councillors unable to make the meeting, there was no vote called for on the evening for a new School Council executive positions. So Sam Cohen remains President, Van Sowerwine Vice President, Matt Price Secretary and Lilian Lim as Treasurer. While Sam Cohen is finishing up as a parent at the end of this year, this is not unusual to remain as President. This will be resolved at the first meeting in 2021 with a new President elected (and other position, if necessary).

If there has ever been a time to get involved in School Council, now is a great time. Reach out to someone to a Councillor or contact me (I am available over the summer break and really happy to chat). Your contribution will be meaningful, and I can assure you, you and your family will get a lot out of the experience. 

The whole of School Council wishes you, your children and family all the very best for the festive season. May you all have the opportunity to share some fun, some joy and most of all, some love with those closest. 

Sam Cohen

School Council President

e schoolcouncil@brunswicknwps.vic.edu.au 

m 0412 375 061