Merbein P-10 College Newsletter

Principal

Mr Chris Grimmer

Merbein P-10 College Council Elections - 2021

In accordance with DET guidelines, an election of members for the 2021 School Council will be conducted during February and March. 

The new 2021 Council will be formed from an election process and will be based on a membership size of 15, with a configuration of 8 parents, 5 staff (including the principal) and 2 co-opted community members.   

Generally, the term of office for all members is two years. The term of office of approximately half the members expires each year, creating vacancies for the annual school council elections.   

All Victorian government schools with a year 7 cohort and above, also have a mandated, elected Student Member category on their school council.     Each school’s constituting Order is increased by two positions to allow for two student members to be elected to council.

The school council election process for all four categories (Parent, DET Employee, Student and Community member) must be completed by 31 March 2021.

 

2021 Merbein P-10 College Council Election Process

Due to the scheduled expiry of their terms of office, several members of Council will be retiring in accordance with DET guidelines and the Council Constituting Order.    Consequently, the following vacancies are being declared:                   

  • 6 Parent category vacancies
  • 2 DET category vacancies
  • 2 Student vacancies

Up to two Co-opted Community positions will be filled by the newly formed council following the conclusion of elections. 

I sincerely thank the members of the 2021 School Council for volunteering their time, expertise and energy to enable Merbein P-10 College to continue to grow as a successful community school. 

I would also like to specifically thank the following retiring Councillors for their valuable contribution to the ongoing development of Merbein P-10 College over the past two years and sincerely hope they will consider re-nominating for council:

Scott Gardiner, Michelle Nokes, Tracey Craig, Ann Penny, Sandy I’Anson & Kerrie Probert (Parent Category)

Rob Morgan and Yvonne Matotek (DET Category)                

Graeme Worthington (Co-opted Community member)

I also would like to acknowledge the support and leadership provided by Scott Barnes in his role as School Council President throughout 2020, in what was a very challenging year.

 

If either or both categories (Parent or DET) have more nominations than positions then a ballot will be conducted.  All parents or guardians of students enrolled at the school are eligible to vote for parent members, and staff vote for staff members.

Parents who are DET employees may stand for election in the Parent category, but only up to a maximum of two. This is to ensure that the majority of the college council is created through a combination of parent and community members and not DET employees.

Nominations for a position on the Merbein P-10 College Council will open today, Thursday 25th and close on Tuesday March 9th, 2021.

The school council will continue to play a vital role in achieving the best-possible outcomes for our young people and in ensuring that our school continues to build effective connections with the local community.  I therefore encourage parents and staff to consider nominating for a position on the Merbein P-10 College Council and to support us in the important work that lies ahead. 

Parent nomination forms will be available at the school office for any parent considering nominating.  If you would like a nomination form to be emailed directly to you, please contact the General Office. 

As mentioned above, if there are more nominations than vacancies, an election will be called and candidates will be invited to prepare a statement of no more than 150 words.  More details about the recommended content of statements will be provided for candidates if this occurs.

 

Covid-Safe reminders to families

Just a reminder that it is still vital that any students who are unwell at all, or displaying COVID symptoms stay home until they are well (or get tested).We also ask that any parents entering the school buildings wear a mask to ensure we meet COVID guidelines. Thank you all for your support with these requirements.