School Council Report
Council Business
Council met on 17th May and approved the Year 10 surf camp at Anglesea for November 2017. Council discussed participation in the community event the Mother’s Day Classic and decided to ask the SRC and Student Wellbeing Committee for ideas for community fundraisers to help assess future participation.
The Canteen sub-committee has been established and has held its first meeting. The main role of the committee is to work with canteen proprietors to develop a menu that reflects the Healthy Eating Guidelines. The committee will meet at least once per term and make recommendations to College Council who has the responsibility of approving the menu.
The Uniform sub-committee has been considering re-introducing a GEC rain jacket and looking at the different options to make a recommendation to Council. The committee is also working on strengthening communication to students about changes to the uniform policy including photos of approved uniform on the GEC website.
Booran Road Pedestrian Crossing Safety
Together with representatives from Glen Eira Council and Councillor Tony Athanasopoulos, we met with VicRoads staff to discuss the data collected 2nd – 8th May 2017 in the traffic count around the pedestrian crossing on Booran Road. The data recorded a high incidence of speeding at all times of the day including during school zone times. More analysis of the data will be conducted. This data provides useful evidence that we require variable electronic speed signs at the pedestrian crossing.
In the meantime, VicRoads is progressing with the other works such as larger school zone signs and the Puffin detectors. In addition, Glen Eira Council will park a speed sign trailer that flashes a passing vehicle’s speed near the crossing to help motorists slow down.
With this amount of speeding recorded on Booran Road, I encourage parents to drive carefully around the school at all times. Please speak to your children and encourage them to be very wary of traffic and use the crossing at all times of the day.
It is not too late to sign our online petition at https://www.change.org/p/urgent-action-on-speed-signs-for-glen-eira-college-students. Please forward this link to your family and friends so we can work together to advocate for a safer crossing for our children.
GEC Alumni (GECOS - GEC Old Students)
Council, through the BOCI sub-committee, has been working on the establishment of the GEC Alumni for past students and staff called GECOS – GEC Old Students. The aim of the GEC Alumni is to develop a network of past students and staff and facilitate reunions and contributions to the College community. The Alumni is in an establishment phase and is starting a working group to progress the Alumni. If you have older children or siblings that attended GEC, please encourage them to join GECOS. Staff are also welcome to join the Alumni.
Please email alumni@gec.vic.edu.au to join the Alumni or if you have ideas or want to help develop the Alumni.
Other News
I was proud to be involved in the GEC Open Day and Night that showcased our school to the community and prospective families. The School Captains and Year 7 students were fantastic representatives of GEC and gave great speeches and the dedicated staff and student helpers proudly explained their subject areas. This event truly helps families make their secondary school decision and GEC shined as an excellent choice for our local community.
On behalf of Council, I would like to congratulate the French teachers and students who won the Dis-Mois Dix Mots French competition. I attended the award ceremony at GEC to celebrate the achievements of all involved. A video of the speech the students gave in accepting the prize at Academie Francaise was shown. The standard of French spoken language shown and the confidence of these students was impressive and a testament to the language programs at our College. Winning this prestigious competition was also highlighted in the local Leader newspaper. Congratulations to all involved.
GECPA held a sold-out movie night on 4th June. It was fantastic to be in a cinema filled with GEC families enjoying watching Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman was empowering as she saved the day and conquered her nemesis. Thanks to GECPA for this fun evening.
I am happy to be contacted on issues relating to Council by email at resolvecc@optusnet.com.au
Ruth Gordon
President
Glen Eira College Council