PUPIL FREE DAY – WED FEB 20

Our next pupil free day is on Wednesday 20th February. We will be working on aspects of quality questioning by teaching staff to improve student engagement and learning. This will be off site at Park Orchards PS as part of the FISO network of schools.

WORKING BEE ON SATURDAY FEB 23

Rangeview PS relies on Working Bees to help to maintain the extensive grounds that we’re very fortunate to have. We are asking that each family attend at least one Working Bee during the year to help keep the playgrounds and surrounding areas safe and well maintained for our children.

Not only are Working Bees an opportunity to contribute to your children’s school, but they are also a great opportunity to meet other parents at the post-Working Bee barbeque.

We have scheduled 4 Working Bee dates for 2019, including Saturdays or Sundays to provide flexibility to families who may have weekend commitments. Working Bees start at 9am and run for approximately 2- 3 hours. Children are very welcome to attend. We finish with a barbeque.

TWILIGHT PICNIC & OFFICIAL OPENING OF OUR NEW PLAY EQUIPMENT

Reminder for our Twilight Picnic this Tuesday from 5.30pm and the official opening of the new play equipment near the oval at 6.30pm. Everyone welcome!

CLASS AMBASSADORS MEETING

Monday at 9.10am was the first Class Ambassadors meeting for 2019. Thank you for all the parents who have volunteered to help. Our P&F have information to share as well.

SCHOOL COUNCIL NOMINATIONS

Notice of election and calls for nominations for School Council will be opened today and close on the 26th of February. Please see below for further information.

Why Should I be on School Council?

School Council plays an important role in school accountability and improvement processes. It is a legally formed body that is given powers to set the key directions of our school. As part of the school council you can ensure that the educational opportunities for your children are met.

Notice of Election and Call for Nominations for Rangeview Primary School Council in 2019

An election is to be conducted for members of the School Council of Rangeview Primary School.

Nomination forms may be obtained from the school from 4:00pm Monday 18th February 2019, and must be lodged by 4.00pm on Tuesday 26th February 2019.

The ballot will close at 4.00pm on Friday, 15th March 2019 at 4:00pm.

School Council Nomination forms may be for a Self-Nomination form for Parent Member category or a Nomination form for Parent Member category.

Following the closing of nominations a list of the nominations received will be posted at the school. The terms of office, membership categories and number of positions in each membership category open for election are as follows:

Membership category

Term of Office

Number of Positions

Parent Member

From the day after the date of the declaration of the poll in 2019 to and inclusive of the date of the declaration of the poll in 2019.

4 x 2 year positions

DET Employee Member

From the day after the date of the declaration of the poll in 2019 to and inclusive of the date of the declaration of the poll in 2019.

3 x 2 year positions

What is a school council and what does it do?

All government schools in Victoria have a school council. They are legally constituted bodies that are given powers to set the key directions of a school within centrally provided guidelines. In doing this, a school council is able to directly influence the quality of education that the school provides for its students.

Who is on the school council?

For most school councils, there are three possible categories of membership:

A mandated elected Parent category – more than one third of the total members must be from this category. Department of Education and Training (DET) employees can be Parent members at their child’s school as long as they are not employed at the school. A mandated elected DET employee category – members of this category may make up no more than one-third of the total membership of school council. The principal of the school is automatically one of these members. An optional Community member category – members are co-opted by a decision of the council because of their special skills, interests or experiences. DET employees are not eligible to be Community members.

Generally, the term of office for all members is about two years. The term of office of half the members expires each year, creating vacancies for the annual school council elections.

Why is Parent membership so important?

Parents on school councils provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help shape the direction of the school. Those parents who become active on a school council find their involvement satisfying in itself and may also find that their children feel a greater sense of belonging.

How can you become involved?

The most obvious way is to vote in the elections, which are held in Term 1 each year. However, ballots are only held if more people nominate as candidates than there are positions vacant. In view of this, you might seriously consider standing for election as a member of the school council encouraging another person to stand for election.

Do I need special experience to be on school council?

No. What you do need is an interest in your child’s school and the desire to work in partnership with others to help shape the school’s future.

What do you need to do to stand for election?

The principal will issue a notice of election and call for nominations following the commencement of Term 1 each year. All school council elections must be completed by the end of March. If you decide to stand for election, you can arrange for someone to nominate you as a candidate or you can nominate yourself in the Parent category. DET employees whose child is enrolled in a school in which they are not employed are eligible to nominate as parents for the school council at that school. Once the nomination form is completed, return it to the principal within the time stated on the notice of election. You will receive a Nomination Form Receipt in the mail following the receipt of your completed nomination. Generally, if there are more nominations received than there are vacancies on council, a ballot will be conducted during the two weeks after the call for nominations has closed.

Remember

Ask at the school for help if you would like to stand for election and are not sure what to do
Consider standing for election to council this year