Our new School Councillors

Congratulations.

Firstly, thank you to all those who stood for election. The positions were well contested and the results very close. There are many ways in which to contribute to the school and sub committees of School Council will be formed shortly and members will be called for.

The following parents have been elected to School Council. Congratulations to Kerri Fuller, Kelly Toghill, Glenn Anderson, Julia Shea, Erwin Susanto and Cathryn Atkinson. 

We welcome Sue Kelly as new teacher member.

Cathryn (Cat) Atkinson

Hi to our wonderful IPS community.  You may know me from coordinating the mini-markets in 2018 and 2019, and the school fair in 2019.  Or maybe from the trivia nights of the last three years (and this year on Aug 15th!).  Wherever you know me (and my rainbow hair) from, you will know I am passionate about making our school a wonderful place! I hope to continue this passion through being a committed member of the IPS School Council.

Kelly Toghill

My name's Kelly Toghill and I'm mum to Amelia (4T) and Lachlan (2R).  Since my children started at IPS, I've been very active in volunteering my time at the school as a Class Rep, Classroom helper, and member of the PFA, Fair Committee and more recently, School Council.

I have just completed my first term on School Council and am nominating again in the hope of seeing through the work that has already been started with our capital works program.  Throughout 2019, I served as President of School Council and worked closely with the Principal, Maddison Architects and the VSBA on stage two of our Masterplan, which includes the construction of a new Senior School building. 

I also bring considerable experience to School Council in working with community groups and stakeholders and previous experience serving on Boards and Committees of Management.  This has helped me find efficiencies in how we currently run our meetings and well places me to make informed choices on our strategic planning and governance.  Given the opportunity, I would happily serve a second term on School Council at IPS.

Julia (Jules) Shea 

I Jules Shea would relish the opportunity to be a parent representative on the school council and

work together with you and the staff towards maintaining the fantastic environment that already

exists, whilst looking towards the future to continually refine and improve the education experience

at Ivanhoe Primary School.

Our family moved into the area 2 years ago and from the start we were welcomed with friendly

faces and made to feel part of the IPS community. You will usually find me chatting in the grounds

before and possibly too long after school. Hector is in grade 3 and Leroy in grade 2, my youngest

Kiyoko will be in prep next year. I have a strong focus on their well-being and education both in and

out of school, and it is this passion that I wish to bring with me along with my strong work ethic to

contribute towards making a difference to the school community.

Last year I was class rep for 1M, I organised end of term events which included an Easter egg

scramble, BBQ at Ford Park and end of year pool party at Ivanhoe Aquatic. All events were lots of

fun, the kids loved it. At the fair I ran the Cake stall with 1K, that was a huge success! We raised

$4500.

I am a professional photographer by trade, I photographed the Grade 6 graduation group shot and

individual portraits at North Footscray Primary School, when my son Hector was enrolled there for

prep in 2017.

My experiences working in the hospitality industry has furnished me with a wide array of skills

allowing me to achieve quality outcomes in a highly competitive environment. During my tenure as

manager it was necessary that I developed productive working relationships with people from

various and diverse backgrounds.

Erwin Susanto

My name is Erwin & I have been an IPS parent for the last 6 years. I have 2 boys; Aston is in Grade 6 & Orlan is Grade 4. I am a familiar face in the school community & you can usually find me during drop off & pick up.

I have always been involved in one way or another with the school. The first few years have involved helping the canteen; as a volunteer & also part of the canteen committee. I have helped organise in-house events that involve the canteen such as special lunch order says, Chinese New Years’ lunches, Italian & International days. This branched out to other events that has been organized for the school such as school fairs & mini markets.

Last year I was also involved with the Fair committee and had plenty of fun. A lot of people at school refer me as the IPS BBQ guy.

Being involved in the school council will enable me to understand more about the dynamics of the school’s operations & hopefully provide inputs which can be useful in improving the school for the children and the community. After all, it is all for the good of the children and their future.

Glenn Anderson 

I have been on school council for 4 years with the last year as Treasurer. I am applying for school council again for 1 more term of 2 years given my son Henry in grade 5 will finish in 2021. I have learnt a lot about the role of council and Treasurer so provide experience and knowledge about both. Although, I do believe it is important to have a balance of fresh ideas and experience on the council. I have built great relationships with the staff and existing councilors. I am actively involved in the West Ivanhoe Cricket & Footy clubs which is a second home to many of our kids.

Kerri Fuller 

IPS is a big and brilliant school!  As mum to Phoebe (year 1) and Sophie (year 2), I worry “…is what we’re doing today, setting our kids up for success?!”

It’s important to me that we build on IPS’s excellence as a school that delivers great outcomes for the children, for parents, for all school staff and out local community. In order to do this, we need to leverage the money and resources available to IPS – focusing our energy on where there is the greatest impact. 

I’m a busy person – but busy people get things done! I’m putting my hand up this year to bring the following experiences that, with your vote, will help me to have impact and add value to the School Council.

I currently work at realestate.com.au (REA Group) in a project management role and I have an extensive background in marketing and organisational change. I have a range of commercial skills in prioritisation, systemisation, complex stakeholder and project management and of course, digital know-how. In previous roles, I have consistently delivered better outcomes for the organisation while reducing costs; I’d like to do the same at IPS.  

In addition to business skills, I have a diploma in children’s services and 4 years’ experience running Out of School Hours Care programs at 2 different primary schools. This provides me with a deep respect for the value of play, diversity and wellbeing in a school environment.

Since my kids started at IPS, I have worked behind the scenes supporting the school; I was class rep (Foundation, 2018) and also organised a $1000 donation for the street libraries, specifically championing diversity and child safety content in our library books. 

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They join returning councillors:  Sonia Denisenko, Prue Vermiglio, Andrew Read, Leanne Anstee, Leigh Morrison, Pam Wright and myself.

Mark Kent

Principal