SCHOOL COUNCIL REPORT - INSIDE IVANHOE

School Council was convened for the first time in term 4 last night and was kicked off with a formal welcome back to Mark and congratulations and recognition of the fantastic job done by Pam in her time as Acting Principal.  Not only did she step up to increased responsibilities, she did it amongst considerable adversity in supporting the staff, parents and students during a second lockdown period of remote learning.

We also recognised the work of our teaching staff for the support and guidance they have given our children (and us!) during this last bout of home schooling, and thanks and recognition went to the wonderful team supporting Pam throughout the last term, particularly Lisa, Francine and Samantha. 

During our meeting, we received a Capital Works update, which included news that the new senior school build will be at lock up stage by the end of this week.  From next Monday (Nov2), we look set to be in a position to allow more workers on-site and are hopeful to make up some of the time lost due to restrictions and bring our handover date further forward to early January.

A number of other repairs to the Waterdale Road building are being considered and costed out as part of our Stage 2 funding.  These works will go out to tender in December.  Following the tender evaluation process, these works ought to take place over the 2021 Easter break in 2021.

We were advised of an opportunity to access funding for differentiated teaching, which was announced by the Minister for Education recently.  The funds will be geared toward ensuring the future successes of students post remote learning.  While our exact allocation of funds is still unknown, monies received will be used bolster our support staff to assist in literacy and numeracy support across all grades and to provide further assistance to students where gaps are identified.

The Pre-Review School Evaluation has been completed and was submitted to the Department of Education and Training earlier this month. The Review itself has be re-scheduled for term 1 2021 and will address three priority areas identified by the Department, being:

• Learning catch up and extension
• Happy, active and healthy kids
• Connected schools

The IPS Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) for 2021 will focus on these emerging priorities in response to the disruption and challenges presented by Covid.  Coincidentally, they sit nicely within the goals and target area results already identified within our Pre-Review School Evaluation as well. 

We were updated on a number of smaller works being undertaken across the school including new lighting to be installed, new exhaust fans, drainage and sprinkler works on the oval, NBN, skylights for the toilets and a tree audit following some sewer and plumbing issues which have arisen.

Work will soon begin on developing our 2021 Operational budget and with that will come the identification and prioritisation of funding toward a number of projects and initiatives for next year. Our Treasurer reported on our current budget position, which is in surplus and will allow for many projects to get the go ahead in 2021.

Kelly Toghill

School Council President