ASPS School Council

School Council News

School Council Report June 2020

The ASPS Council met via zoom on Tuesday 16th June for our second meeting as a newly formed council. We were delighted to get to know each other a bit better with an introductory breakout activity which had us outlining an individual strength, passion, and interesting fact for each member. Who knew Marcus once taught spin classes!?!

Simon gave us a very thorough overview of the finance capability more broadly and helped us all to better understand how it works and the different components, and many moving pieces, that it comprises. 

An update was provided by Eva, in her capacity as Chair of the Policy Development and Review Sub Committee regarding the action plan for the current policies that are due for ratification this year and by Colette, as the Chair of Trading Operations Sub Committee, as she begins engagement with the canteen and uniform shop. 

The School Improvements Sub Committee has several key areas for focus over the coming months and Matt outlined these. This Sub Committee will also work to establish the decision-making criteria for project prioritisation and a process for working through which potential grants can be applied for which projects.

In the Principal’s report, and as has been reported in the last couple of newsletters, Marcus provided the details of the grant ASPS has received to establish plans for a future upgrade for the Main Building. The first phase of this is completing and submitting an Asset Management Plan which the school is currently working to complete. 

This document will outline the vision for the school and include: 

1) Our School's Unique Story

2) Details of Current or Future Challenges

3) Opportunities that will support the School's future vision

Whilst there is no guarantee we will obtain funding for the construction phase we need to submit this to have a chance. We would encourage all members of the school community to complete the survey undertaken by the Department of Education that was included in the newsletter and linked here by the 21st of June. This is an exciting opportunity for everyone to have a say in informing the next step. 

As Council we are extremely positive about the outcome and appreciate there is a lot of work to complete the Asset Management Plan, so thanks go particularly to Marcus and Mr Michael for the efforts involved in pulling this together in a very tight timeframe.

Colette Hughes                Simon McCarthy

Council Member              Treasurer

2020 School Council Members (till the end of March, 2021)

Nell Carswell (President)

I am delighted to have been elected as President of the ASPS council for 2020 and very much looking forward to working with all council members, staff and the broader school community.  My daughter, Hatty McCleery, is in her final year of primary school having been at ASPS since prep.  Please feel free to get in touch with me and I can always be contacted via email (nellandy@bigpond.net.au) or mobile (0419 532 730) on any point of interest, query, detail or any other issue.

John O'Callaghan

I feel privileged to be a member of the Auburn South School Council and look forward to working with Marcus and all of the council members in the year ahead. My daughter Genevieve is in 5B and is our third child to attend ASPS.  Please feel free to contact me or any other school council members if you have any queries or feedback.

Simon McCarthy (Treasurer)

I’m looking forward to continuing to participate on School Council again this year. I have Lexi in Grade 4 and Mikayla in Grade 2.  As Treasurer and on the Uniform, Canteen and School Improvements Sub-Committee  I will continue to work with Marcus and the Finance Committee to enhance our reporting and financial frameworks as we focus on prudently managing our expenditure, maintaining our grounds and buildings and investing in facilities to improve the learning environment for our children. Should anyone wish to contact me they can do so at sfmccarthy1@yahoo.com.

Kate Collett (Vice-President)

I am very pleased to continue serving on the ASPS School Council for a second year. Having three children at the school (Year 6, Year 4 and Year 2) I am involved in many facets of school life. I believe this has given me a good sense of what is important to us and I look forward to continuing to draw on this in my work on the council. Please feel free to contact me on kate.collett@bigpond.com.

Colette Hughes

It is a great privilege to have the opportunity to be a parent representative on the ASPS School Council. I have three girls at ASPS this year - Eva in Year 6, Chloe in Year 4 and Stella in Prep. I am passionate about educational policy and look forward to working with other Council members to achieve the best possible outcomes for our children. If you have any suggestions that you would like to raise with School Council, please feel free to contact me on colette@kepm.co.za.

Eva Fonnes

I am really looking forward to playing an active part on the council of ASPS this year. I have 3 kids at ASPS, Oskar in grade 6, Finn in grade 4 and Freya in Prep. I feel that I can contribute productively to the council as I am familiar with the school, staff and the community at ASPS. I am an active volunteer at the school, and I have experienced each grade level at least once! My passions are the sciences, environment and health, and I hope to use my professional background and knowledge to strengthen these areas at ASPS through an active role on the school’s policy committee. I can always be reached via email: evafonnes@yahoo.com.au

Matt Coghlan (Parent Member)

I am pleased to have joined the School Council this year and look forward to working with Nell, Marcus and the rest of the council and school community.  I have two children at Auburn South: Thomas (Grade 6) and William (Grade 2) as well as Stella who graduated in 2018.

I have taken on the role of Chairman of the School Improvements sub-committee and look forward to contributing to the further improvement and development at the School.  I can be contacted on email at mjbcoghlan@gmail.com.

Sharron (Shaz) Bailey

I’m really enjoying my role as Assistant Principal/PYP Coordinator at ASPS and being on School Council. I have a wide of educational experience, in both primary and secondary contexts, in all Australian school systems, as well an international school in Indonesia. I am actively involved in the International Baccalaureate Educator Network (IBEN) and am current Chair of the dynamic Victorian PYP Network. I have held a variety of leadership roles in schools and am committed to inspiring teachers to create learning environments and experiences for children that are significant, relevant, challenging, engaging and most of all, fun! 

Marcus Wicher (Council Executive)

Having been the school principal at Auburn South for the best part of 8 years, I am grateful for the role that council plays in terms of bringing into the school different perspectives that don't always exist within the education sector. I am also appreciative of the opportunity to work with a diverse group of people that are united with a similar goal of providing the best possible opportunities for our students.

Alicia Smith

This is my fourth year at ASPS. My current roles are Daily Organiser and Visual Arts teacher, as well as a Consultative Committee representative and the very important task of organising the staff footy tipping competition! The best part of my role is having interactions with every student and teacher throughout the school, and allowing each student time in the art room to find their own version of creativity. Outside of school, I have a 14yo son attending Auburn High School and volunteer as the U15 Team Manager at Riversdale Soccer Club.

Ben Zonca (DET Member)

Christian Lawless (Parent Member)

2020 School Council Meeting Dates

Tuesday 11 August (6.30-8.30pm)

Tuesday 15 September (6.30-8.30pm)

Tuesday 20 October (6.30-8.30pm)

Tuesday 17 November (6.30-8.30pm)

Tuesday 8 December (6.30-8.30pm)