ASPS School Council

School Council News

We hope everyone is safe and well during these extraordinary and challenging times.

Auburn South’s School Council held our May meeting on the evening of Tuesday 12 May.

We were pleased to welcome to their first formal meeting our new Council Members in Christian Lawless, Matt Coghlan, Eva Fonnes and Colette Hughes. We are looking forward to their contribution to Council and thank the outgoing members namely Kathy Arnold, Jun Yang, Jemima Collins, Shaun Cooley and Mark O’Brien for their contribution to Council over (at least) the past 2 years.

As the first formal meeting following our AGM Office Bearers were elected and Sub-Committees formed.

We are pleased to announce the following appointments:

President: Nell Carswell (re-elected)

Vice-President: Kate Collett

Treasurer: Simon McCarthy (re-elected)

School Improvements Sub-Committee Chair: Matt Coghlan

Trading Operations Sub-Committee Chair: Colette Hughes

Policy Sub-Committee Chair: Eva Fonnes

On behalf of Council we would like to thank all our Teachers, Carers, Parents, Guardians and students for their support during these challenging times.

From Council’s perspective, we are very appreciative of the hard work our School Leaders, under the guidance of Mr Wicher, who have executed schooling in a remote setting – it has been a herculean task that has been executed admirably under extremely challenging circumstances.

To our teachers – we thank you – a truly huge effort done so very well. The hard work and hours you have put in has been immense. It is very much appreciated.

One of the most engaging agenda items was the opportunity to share observations and experiences from the home learning phase we have been in. Be it the time we’ve shared with our children, what we have learnt about them, the IT connectivity, childrens’ cabin fever or the effectiveness of the learning tasks presented – it was great to share our thoughts.

A focus of the meeting was to consider the financial implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic. In light of the changing landscape and protocols.  Our 2020 budget has been revised to reflect what we anticipate will be a significant reduction in income. Our variable expenses and projects have been reviewed in light of the shortfall to ensure our cash flows are appropriately managed. Essential spending has been prioritised to ensure our teaching environment is optimized relative to the funds available.

Despite these challenges we intend to proceed in the near future with our Sensory Garden at the Tooronga Road entrance supported in part by a biodiversity grant ASPS was successful in obtaining late last year.  Depending on funds raised through family donations, the school is also hoping to re-carpet of the Prep/Year 1 building.

We look forward to welcoming the broader School Community back to the School in the coming weeks.

Colette Hughes                Simon McCarthy

Council Member              Treasurer

2020 School Council Members (till the end of March, 2021)

Nell Carswell (President)

I am delighted to have been elected as President of the ASPS council for 2020 and very much looking forward to working with all council members, staff and the broader school community.  My daughter, Hatty McCleery, is in her final year of primary school having been at ASPS since prep.  Please feel free to get in touch with me and I can always be contacted via email (nellandy@bigpond.net.au) or mobile (0419 532 730) on any point of interest, query, detail or any other issue.

John O'Callaghan

I feel privileged to be a member of the Auburn South School Council and look forward to working with Marcus and all of the council members in the year ahead. My daughter Genevieve is in 5B and is our third child to attend ASPS.  Please feel free to contact me or any other school council members if you have any queries or feedback.

Simon McCarthy (Treasurer)

I’m looking forward to continuing to participate on School Council again this year. I have Lexi in Grade 4 and Mikayla in Grade 2.  As Treasurer and on the Uniform, Canteen and School Improvements Sub-Committee  I will continue to work with Marcus and the Finance Committee to enhance our reporting and financial frameworks as we focus on prudently managing our expenditure, maintaining our grounds and buildings and investing in facilities to improve the learning environment for our children. Should anyone wish to contact me they can do so at sfmccarthy1@yahoo.com.

Kate Collett (Vice-President)

I am very pleased to continue serving on the ASPS School Council for a second year. Having three children at the school (Year 6, Year 4 and Year 2) I am involved in many facets of school life. I believe this has given me a good sense of what is important to us and I look forward to continuing to draw on this in my work on the council. Please feel free to contact me on kate.collett@bigpond.com.

Colette Hughes

It is a great privilege to have the opportunity to be a parent representative on the ASPS School Council. I have three girls at ASPS this year - Eva in Year 6, Chloe in Year 4 and Stella in Prep. I am passionate about educational policy and look forward to working with other Council members to achieve the best possible outcomes for our children. If you have any suggestions that you would like to raise with School Council, please feel free to contact me on colette@kepm.co.za.

Sharron (Shaz) Bailey

I’m really enjoying my role as Assistant Principal/PYP Coordinator at ASPS and being on School Council. I have a wide of educational experience, in both primary and secondary contexts, in all Australian school systems, as well an international school in Indonesia. I am actively involved in the International Baccalaureate Educator Network (IBEN) and am current Chair of the dynamic Victorian PYP Network. I have held a variety of leadership roles in schools and am committed to inspiring teachers to create learning environments and experiences for children that are significant, relevant, challenging, engaging and most of all, fun! 

Marcus Wicher (Council Executive)

Having been the school principal at Auburn South for the best part of 7 years, I am grateful for the role that council plays in terms of bringing into the school different perspectives that don't always exist within the education sector. I am also appreciative of the opportunity to work with a diverse group of people that are united with a similar goal of providing the best possible opportunities for our students.

Alicia Smith

This is my fourth year at ASPS. My current roles are Daily Organiser and Visual Arts teacher, as well as a Consultative Committee representative and the very important task of organising the staff footy tipping competition! The best part of my role is having interactions with every student and teacher throughout the school, and allowing each student time in the art room to find their own version of creativity. Outside of school, I have a 14yo son attending Auburn High School and volunteer as the U15 Team Manager at Riversdale Soccer Club.

Ben Zonca (DET Member)

Matt Coghlan (Parent Member)

Eva Fonnes (Parent Member)

Christian Lawless (Parent Member)

Marcus Wicher (Council Executive)

2020 School Council Meeting Dates

Tuesday 16 June (6.30-8.30pm)

Tuesday 11 August (6.30-8.30pm)

Tuesday 15 September (6.30-8.30pm)

Tuesday 20 October (6.30-8.30pm)

Tuesday 17 November (6.30-8.30pm)

Tuesday 8 December (6.30-8.30pm)