Parent member category

We have received six nominations for School Council from parents for the Parent Member Category. There are four vacancies. Therefore, we are required to hold an election for this category. The candidates are:

• Peta Brincat

• Bernadette Gooda

• Bronwyn Weir

• Geri Sumpter

• Rosa Ferrari

• Brett Turner

Each parents with a student enrolled at the school is entitled to vote in the council ballot. Ballot papers, candidate statements and two envelopes are being posted out. They should arrive in the coming week.

To keep the voting system secure the marked ballot paper goes into the small blank envelop which is then placed inside a larger envelope with the voter's name. When returned to the office the voters are marked off a registry, the blank envelop containing the ballot removed from the larger envelope and placed in a ballot box until the ballot closes and counting is undertaken. Your child can hand-in the completed, sealed envelopes on your behalf to the general office or they can post them.

Enquiries can be directed to the General Office.

Candidates

Here are your candidates. These statements will also be provided with the ballot papers.

Peta Brincat

I am excited to return to the MGSC community having been a student here myself. I am a qualified early childhood and primary teacher, currently working in a kindergarten program with Kingston council. As a mother to four daughters it was never a difficult decision for my husband and I as to where we would send our girls for their high school education. During the initial primary years with my children, I served for six years on the Melton primary school council also volunteering within the various classrooms and on the fund-raising committee. I enjoyed seeking out opportunities within the wider Melton shire, volunteering time to the Early Years Partnership Commitee and local playgroups. Having now relocated back to this wonderful beach side community of ours, I am keen to continue my participation and involvement and thank you for considering my nomination for school council.

Bernadette Gooda

I am now in my third year at MGSC with daughters in year 7 and year 9. I am seeking re-election into the MGSC School Council. I have been on the School Council (and the Finance Committee) since 2020. I am also a member of the MGSC PFA. I am passionate about taking part and being involved in the school community. Over the primary school years, I undertook various volunteer roles that lead many significant school events. I have recently been selected to be on the open space design community panel for the LXRP works in our area. I am driven and have a can-do attitude and am more than happy to use my skills where they are needed. I have a passion for the environment and will use my professional and academic knowledge to encourage any changes needed or issues resolved in a sustainable way.

Bronwyn Weir

I have been a parent of MGSC since 2017 and have daughters in years 12 and 10. I am a lawyer and have my own business. My years as a parent of school aged children are coming to a close. It seems like yesterday that my son (now 20) began at East Beaumaris pre-school. I was secretary of pre-school for a year and participated in various activities when my 3 children were at Beaumaris Primary School. I’d now like to make a contribution to MGSC and believe that my skills will be useful. I have an understanding of the importance of good governance. I sit as a director on a start up company. I have also been appointed as to various government advisory bodies over the years. Another interesting connection I have with the school is that my mother went to MGSC in the 50s when it first opened.

Geri Sumpter

I am a current School Council member seeking re-election please! With two daughters at the school (years 7 and 12), I really enjoy the governance role that parents can play as part of the Council - and love the insight that Council discussions and decisions provide into why my daughters enjoy MGSC so much. I have been an active member of school councils throughout my older daughter’s school years and have been involved in many Council activities, including recruiting a principal in primary school and multiple school improvement cycles. I have also twice been Vice President at MGSC. I work at Beyond Blue and lead their National Mental Health in Education initiative, and fully understand the importance of your daughter’s wellbeing and the pivotal role the school plays in this. I also volunteer in the school uniform shop which provides a chance to interact with some of the school community.

Rosa Ferrari

I have been on the council for three years (one as vice president, more recently as treasurer) and have enjoyed supporting Linda and her team. I have many years of experience in program and change management in the oil industry and as a consultant. My work with teams at different organisational levels, industries and differing skill sets has shown me the value of a well-rounded person and the ability of education to support dreams, aspirations, reduce the gender gap and improve social equity. I believe that our daughters should have the opportunity to extend and develop academically, physically and artistically. Providing broad and varied opportunities will help them achieve their full potential and I have supported Linda and her team in providing these opportunities as well as a nurturing and supportive environment. If re-elected, I look forward to contributing to the success of MGSC, our daughters’ experiences and representing you.

Brett Turner

I live in Cheltenham with my wife and daughter and am employed as the Municipal Building Surveyor, (MBS) for the City of Bayside. My role as MBS requires the management of a building department, including budgeting, resourcing, business planning and staff development. I love the work I do to ensure the health and safety of the community; a role that also sees me liaising with authorities such as WorkSafe, SES, FRV and VicPol. My extensive building background (over 35 years) may be of assistance to the school in terms of building related projects, and maintenance. I love spending time with my family, tennis, reading and working around the home. I am enthusiastic and believe I have good leadership qualities, great people skills and the ability to work with others to achieve goals. I hope that my contribution to the school council will benefit Mentone Girls moving forward.

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