Principal Report
Belmore School Council
It gives me great pleasure to introduce the 2021 Belmore School Council. I take delight in welcoming back on to Council parent member Bron Brown, mother of Erica in PLC4 and warmly welcome new parent member Paul Han, father of Christopher in PLC3 and new staff member Catherine Knox. All newly elected members will serve two years on School Council with existing members having one more year to serve in their term.
The 2021 Belmore School Council consists of the following members:
Parent Members:
Brenton Carey
Bron Brown
Michael Duffy
Julia Trappett
Paul Han
DET Members:
Rose Ngai
Catherine Knox
Executive Officer:
Karen Overall
Minutes Secretary:
Julie Nicholson
The AGM will be held on Monday 22nd March at 7.00pm followed by the first School Council meeting at 7.30pm where new office bearers – President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary will be elected.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our School Councillors for the time and expertise they volunteer to provide the governance of Belmore School.
Student Leadership Team
I took delight in undertaking the important role of presenting our student leaders with their leader badges at our whole school assembly last Friday. Our student leaders have been selected to uphold the school values, be positive role models, look out for their friends and assist with important tasks around the school. Congratulations Cooper, James, Livian, Maggie, Melisa and Simara - all very deserving members of our student leadership team.
FAMILY HARMONY NIGHT
WEDNESDAY 31st MARCH
(please note change of date)
5.00pm - 7.00pm
All members of our Belmore School Community are invited to attend our first whole school community gathering in over a year. Our Family Night, this year focused around a Harmony theme, will be a wonderful opportunity for our students, their families and school staff to reconnect as we join together in a range of fun activities and socialise over supper.
Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity.
It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
To assist with catering and organisation of activities please return your RSVP reply slip as soon as possible.
Easter Raffle
Thanks once again to the generosity of Emma Duffy's grandmother Marita, we are currently running an Easter raffle with at least four amazing chocolate loaded prizes.
We encourage you to sell the tickets recently sent home to have the opportunity to be in the draw. The raffle will be drawn on Family Night - Wednesday 31 March, so all ticket sales now need to be returned to school by Monday 29 March.
Please contact Kim in reception or write a note in your child's diary if you would like additional tickets to sell.
Capital Works Program
Thanks to the significant contribution of our wonderful Belmore School community at the busy end of the most challenging year, the first phase of our Asset Management Plan (AMP1) was successfully completed. While our recent focus has been on designing the redevelopment of our playground, any ideas for upgrading our facilities have been limited in the knowledge of our restricted funding availability. As the AMP1 was prepared, the impeding excitement of future possibilities grew. While AMP1 centred upon identifying and documenting the school’s educational directions, AMP2 will provide the opportunity to connect with architects and commence establishing how the upgrade of our school facilities can supplement our educational focus.
The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) has recently appointed a project manager who will work alongside me to lead the capital works program for its duration. On Monday I was joined by Vic and Julie our Business Manager, to meet with the three architectural firms invited to tender. At this meeting I provided an overview on the focus of our school, specialised requirements of our students and teaching methodology, prior to taking a walk around the school buildings and grounds to provide an understanding of the site features and constraints.
It is anticipated that the successful architect will be appointed by the end of March.
SSG Meetings
MONDAY 1 MARCH - FRIDAY 12 MARCH
Thank you to those parents who have taken the time to meet with our teachers and therapists during our Term 1 SSG meetings. Our parents input into the development of their child's Individual Education Plan is a vital component in establishing a united, committed and informed Team around the Learner for each of our students. If you have not yet been able to book an appointment please liaise with your child's teacher to arrange a time next week.
Monday 8 March
Just a reminder that there is no school on Monday 8 March due to the Labour Day holiday. We hope you enjoy a relaxing long weekend with your family and friends.
Monday 8 March is a significant date in the calendar as we recognise International Women's Day with the theme this year #Choose to Challenge.
A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day. We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.
From challenge comes change, so let's all choose to challenge.
.
Karen Overall
Principal
