School Council

School Council President's Report - Deane Lam

5th May 2020

I would like to start our first School Council meeting by welcoming everyone in the School Council Year 2020.  Please also allow me to acknowledge the valuable contribution of each of the School Councillors last year, including some of you that are returning to the Council this year, giving your very best in your important role of the School Council, making our school and community a better place to learn and grow.  I look forward to working and learning with you all to develop opportunities available at the school for our students and their families.

Year 2020 has indeed been a very challenging year not just at Syndal South but worldwide due to COVID-19.  The School Council is very pleased to have the opportunity to join with the school in recognising the contribution and achievements of our teachers and students striving for the success in remote learning during this time of change and uncertainty in Term 2.  My background is organisational development and I’m very passionate about people development.  When my children joined Syndal South around four years ago, I had the capacity to look for opportunities to further my passion and values, and that inspired me to join the Parent’s Association, as Secretary since day one.  My son Javen is now in Grade 5, Kayden my daughter graduated from Syndal last year.  As the President of the Parent’s Association this year, I encourage parents to take part in school events because we all have the ability to make a difference for the future of our children, where I bring the same spirit and responsibility to the School Council.

To begin this new School Council in year 2020, a training program - Improving School Governance - has been shared to the Councillors.  I highly recommend this online training program.  It is a professional, informative and interactive training resource and is very beneficial to all of us to understand our roles have a key function in the education system.

A Finance Subcommittee Meeting was held last week.  We had an overall finance review and a discussion on strategy to manage our finance during the impact of the COVID-19 situation.  The goal is to closely work with our school team to ensure quality resources are in place for all students when the school reopens in the coming future.  Our Treasurer will report the financial impact of COVID-19 to the School Council in the meeting.

I feel privileged and humbled to have the opportunity to be part of the School Council this year, in partnership with the School Leadership Team and the School Council to support the teachers to be able to do their very best and to achieve the goal of our school together.

Deane Lam

School Council President