School Council President Report to Community.

Inside Ivanhoe - School Council Report

Meeting: Wednesday 4 September, 2019

Last night, members of School Council were provided with a comprehensive presentation from Sarah Ali Baig (RMIT University) and Fiona Miller regarding our environmental performances and ways to improve our practices. Recommendations were made around four key scenarios, centring on outcomes involving solar panels, efficient lighting, water and mixed mode ventilation.  All options discussed came with budget implications and therefore will be referred to the Finance Committee for further consideration.

We were also offered a glimpse into our NAPLAN results, with some of the data having been provided to the school just this week.  While we haven’t had a chance to closely analyse this information yet, initial data shows improved results against national standards, with the highest gains being made in areas where the school has concentrated its efforts. These results are a credit to the students and teaching staff, and we congratulate them for their participation and support.  Following some further analysis of the data, the Principal will release details on the achieved outcomes in the coming week or so.

Following the recent Student Attitudes to School survey, we received a review of the results collated for the 2019 survey.  I’m pleased to report that the feedback was very encouraging with IPS recording an increase in positive responses and a decrease in negative responses.  In addition, we received presentations from staff on the progress of the Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) and updates on the MPower Girls program, outcomes from the Mathletics Curriculum Day (August 16) and Framework for Improved Student Outcomes (FISO) model.

With the Grade 6 Canberra camp coming up in a few months, School Council reviewed the Emergency Management plans for the trip and also endorsed the parents and carers approved to attend the camp with our students and staff.

Several works are scheduled to take place over the next school holiday break including the OSHC kitchen renovation, painting and installation of new appliances in the staffroom and installation of new blinds in all the upstairs room of the Waterdale Road building.  Planning continues on our capital work project with the senior school build remaining on track and on budget.

We have had a very busy month with a number of PFA coordinated fundraising events occurring on our calendar.  Across the Father’s Day Stall and the Trivia Night, we raised an additional $2481 for the school.  I’d like to recognise the work of our PFA in coordinating these events, with particular thanks going to Cat Atkinson, Jo Anderson and Natalie Mahto for leading the planning and delivery of these events.

IPS has also been gifted some wonderful new pieces of furniture and we would like to thank and acknowledge Jeremy Kerner for his work in seizing this opportunity and overseeing the delivery and procurement of these new assets for the school.

Kelly Toghill

School Council President

Ivanhoe Primary School