A message from the Principal

Proposed Fitzroy Street public toilets 

Most of you would now be aware of the current proposal from the City of Port Phillip Council to construct public toilets in the parkland next to the school. School Council seeks your support in urging the Council to reconsider this project.

 

Recently signage appeared in the parkland facing Fitzroy Street, near the end of the school driveway. This informed us that construction was soon to begin on public toilets in this location, less than 100 metres from the school gate. Further details of this project can be found at https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/about-the-council/projects-and-works/new-and-replacement-public-toilets

 

This proposal has created significant safety concerns for SKiPPS students and families among members of the School Council who feel this is a completely inappropriate location for such a development. 

 

Whilst we understand the need for public toilets in a busy location such as Fitzroy Street, many other council-maintained facilities in St Kilda are dirty and unsafe. Public toilets such as those on Shakespeare Grove and in the car park at Coles Balaclava attract significant antisocial behaviour and are poorly maintained. This raises the risk that we could soon have something similar on the doorstep of the school.

 

The local Council have informed us that the chosen location is the only one suitable for this project and that they will aim to properly manage any risks or antisocial behaviour that occurs. Despite this, we are still highly concerned and believe that an alternative location needs to be found for these public toilets, away from our school and closer to the higher concentration of shops, bars and activities that they are designed to serve.

 

Despite us raising these concerns directly with Council, they have informed us they will be proceeding with construction work in the next couple of months. We hope and believe that a more widespread raising of concern from the school community might lead them to reconsider and so seek your support in the following ways;

The council have informed us that the project has been decided on and it is too late now for this to be reviewed. The only way this terrible idea can be challenged is for our community to make their feelings known directly. Please take 5 minutes to send an email to let our councillors know the depth of opposition to this project.

 

Long Service Leave (& Dog Sitter required)

With international borders finally open, I am excited to be taking some long service leave for the final three weeks of this term to travel home to the UK and see family and friends for the first time in a few years.

 

During this time, Michelle will step into the Acting Principal role, supported by Matt and the rest of our wonderful leadership and staff team. My final day at school (this term) will be Friday 3rd June.

 

Whilst we are away, our beautiful school therapy dog Henderson needs a home. Henderson is an (almost) fully trained therapy Miniature Schnauzer who is very calm and gets along very well with other dogs and people of all sizes.

If you might be interested in having an extra family member for a few weeks, please send me an email at neil.scott@education.vic.gov.au to find out a bit more.

 

Neil Scott

Principal