School Council News

Curriculum Days 2020

On Monday evening, our School Council endorsed Curriculum Days for 2020. Please add the following dates to your calendars:

Tuesday 28th January (Term 1, Week 1)

FOCUS: Statewide Curriculum Day Setting of expectations for 2020 Foci

Friday 1st May (Term 2, Week 3)

FOCUS: Berry Street Module 3-4 Stamina & Student Engagement

Friday 5th June 2020 (Term 2, Week 8)

FOCUS: Resourcing for Effective Literacy Numeracy within the classroom

Friday 7th August 2020 (Term 3, Week 4)

FOCUS: Berry Street Module 3-4 Stamina & Student Engagement

School Council Membership

As you would be aware, each year DET schools are required to hold a nomination process for vacant School Council positions.

Last week, we were able to share with our community the attached information regarding the outcome of our 2020 nomination process.

On behalf of our school community, I would like to congratulate the following parent members:

- Trudi Bons

- Rachel Morrissey

- Belinda Stevens

I would also like to acknowledge and congratulate the following DET members:

- Lisa Dam

- Janet Young

Acknowledgement of Departing School Council Members

As a school we are extremely fortunate to be supported by an active body of parents who are strongly committed to promoting positive learning outcomes for our students.

Therefore, our school acknowledges the following members who have completed their term with School Council:

Jodie North: During her time on Council, Jodie worked tirelessly to promote effective communication channels across our parent community. Her skill-set in marketing and public relations has helped to improve the manner in which we provide information to our families.

Vanessa Mullin: During her time on Council, Vanessa utilized her strong community ties to further embed our school's partnership with Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service (DRERS). Vanessa was also instrumental in overseeing a number of working bees across the school. Vanessa will continue to lead and coordinate our school's breakfast club in conjunction with parent volunteers and DRERS.

Rowan Millar: During his time on Council, Rowan has been an integral part of improving school facilities for our students. Utilizing his skill-set in environmental management, Rowan has overseen a number of working bees, and coordinated an effective regeneration of native plants within our school grounds.

Casual Vacancy- Parent Position Available on School Council

Due to a change in circumstances, our School Council currently has one parent position which is open to a casual vacancy.

A casual vacancy arises when a Council member is unable to complete their elected tenure, therefore, the position becomes available as follows:

- Casual vacancies are to be filled by co-opting persons to the relevant membership category.

- Persons are eligible for co-option to the categories provided they are eligible to be elected to the relevant membership category.

- Any person who fills a casual vacancy serves the unexpired portion of the vacating member’s term of office.

Source: Department of Education and Training (DET) Principals Guide to School Council Elections- 2020

There is no election process required for the fulfillment of a casual vacancy. Instead, School Council shall look to fill the position with a skill-set which balances and improves the overall effectiveness of Council. The selected parent member will serve their term until March 2021.

Should you be interested in being co-opted for the above casual vacancy please send an email by Monday 16th March to:

Damien Kitch- Principal/ Executive Officer of School Council

kitch.damien.p@edumail.vic.gov.au

Mobile Phones and Digital Device Policy

During recent times, there has been extensive media coverage detailing the Victorian Government's new approach to the management of mobile phones, and digital communication devices within schools.

Please see the below information from DET:

Summary – Critical information

From Term 1 2020, students who choose to bring mobile phones to school must have them switched off and securely stored during school hours.
Exceptions to the policy may be applied if certain conditions are met. Exceptions can be granted by the principal, or by a teacher. Exceptions must be documented.
Where students bring a mobile phone to school, the school must provide secure storage.
Schools are required to develop a local Students Using Mobile Phones policy, which must include how this Ministerial policy will be implemented.
Schools will manage non-compliance with their local mobile phone policy in accordance with their existing student engagement polices.

Note that this is a ministerial policy formally issued by the Minister for Education under section 5.2.1(2)(b) of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006.

All schools are required to have their School Council endorse a localised policy in relation to the above. Therefore, please take the time to read the attached policy, noting that this policy extends to include the use of digital devices such as smart watches, and tablets.

Our school's secure storage unit is a locked compartment within the School Office.

This policy will come into force from Monday 24th February 2020.

Keeping Aware of Information Relating to School

As a school we work hard to keep our families informed of happenings across the school. We acknowledge that receiving information in a timely and consistent manner can help to alleviate the pressures which come from managing a busy family calendar.

Communicating via Compass

All of our school notifications are sent via the Newsfeed within the Compass app. There is also a calendar of events within the app, which sends push notifications to users to remind them of school events.

In 2020, we are also utilising Compass for families to consent and pay in order for their children to take part in school events. The uptake and comments from families thus far is that it is so easy to do, and helpful to be able to consent at the push of a button.

In order to filter notifications which are received, you will notice that we send out notifications which are year level specific. This means that sometimes not all notifications are sent to all year levels.

Communicating with the School Administration Team

We look forward to partnering with you in 2020, and welcome your input:

Damien Kitch (Principal) kitch.damien.p@edumail.vic.gov.au

Janet Young (Business Manager)

upwey.south.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Janette Clarke (Office Manager)

upwey.south.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

PTA- Parent Teacher Association

Read the below, and stay up to date!

PTA Special Lunch

PTA Easter Raffle