FPS Newsletter

School Council Report

Final School Council Report for 2020

Our final School Council meeting of the year was held last night, with a number of important discussions taking place:

 

Staffing and Service Providers

  • We were pleased to confirm that OSHClub will continue to be our Out of School Care Provider after being awarded the contract for the next two years.
  • We were delighted to approve our librarian, Paula Stafford, working five days a week next year. Paula’s work has made a positive difference to this important space, and School Council were thrilled to be able to use school funds to continue this excellent work.

Events

  • School Council confirmed that there would be no school fair next term, and the consideration of combining the school fair and Art4all, as planned this year, will be discussed next year. However, we are very keen to find opportunities to bring our school community together, and are considering ways to add more community spirit to our Welcome Picnic in term one. There was talk of our parent band ‘Double Denim’ making an appearance! Keep an eye out in Compass for details.

Plans and Policies

  • The 2021 Annual Implementation Plan was approved and will be available on the school’s website early next year. All schools are now expected to focus on the three priority areas of:
    • Learning, catch up and extension
    • Happy, active and healthy kids
    • Connected schools.
  • The results of the 2020 Parent Opinion were shared. Thank you to the 63 families that completed this survey, which overall painted a positive picture of the year.
  • The Green Purchasing Policy was approved, demonstrating a commitment by the school to make sustainable purchases.

Around the Grounds

  • School Council remains in contact with City of Darebin, discussing potential improvements to the existing pedestrian crossing arrangements on Wingrove St, ahead of the opening of the new campus next year.
  • Approval was given for the next stage of the fence upgrades. We are looking forward to the section of fence on Langridge St, from the double-storey portables to the end of the oval, being replaced during the January holidays. This work will include a new driveway being laid next to the double gates.
  • The Buildings and Grounds Committee presented plans to install solar panels on our BER building (gym and performing arts room), with the goal of the school becoming carbon neutral. This will be explored further during the coming months.

 

I would like to acknowledge the tireless work of School Council and sub-committee members for their contributions. We are fortunate to have such expertise at these meetings, and their efforts are a significant part of our school improvement journey.

 

~ Paul Wallace, School Council Executive Officer