School Council News
The last School Council meeting was very busy, with the following items being discussed:
The 2021 Parent Payment Policy and school fees for 2021
The school relies on the fees paid by parents to provide materials and equipment for the students to use during learning programs (including their workbooks and materials, sport equipment, computer equipment and reading material) and to provide many of the valued supports and improvements around the school (including the school nurse and improvements to the facilities). The Department has provided more extensive clarification around the fees schools can charge each year. As a result, when the fees are distributed this year you will notice a change to the fee structure. The approved 2021 fees are set as follows:
Essential Items: $230.00
Optional Items:
ICT (Years Prep to 3) - $150.00
ICT (Years 4 to 6) - $50.00
Purchase of Equipment - $50.00
Camps, Incursions and Excursions- to be charged each term
Voluntary Contributions – suggested contributions:
First Aid (school nurse) – $70.00
Maintenance – $40.00
Library Fund – $70.00
Building Fund - $70.00
Please read the document when you receive it later this week for further details on the items covered by each fee.
School Self-Evaluation and Review
The Department has a thorough process of school self-evaluation and review over a four year cycle in order to support schools to set goals for improvement and then to monitor them. The focus of the process is ‘continuous improvement’.
This term Malvern Primary School is undertaking its four year Self-Evaluation in preparation for our Review in Term One 2021. At the moment staff are completing a thorough analysis of our achievements. Parents and students will be invited to have input in the process within the next month, I encourage you to contribute in any way you can – the ultimate aim is to improve the student learning outcomes.
OSHC Provider for 2021
At the end of 2020 our Out of School Care (OSHC) contract with Camp Australia is up for review and renewal. A subcommittee of School Council has worked over the last term and a half to tender and interview a number of companies and have invited Their Care to provide our OSHC program for the next three years, beginning in January 2021. More information will be provided by Their Care over the coming weeks in order to transition families across to their program.
Spring Fair
Spring Fair is a School Council fundraiser, which is held every second year. Unfortunately, we had to cancel the Spring Fair this year due to COVID.
School Council has begun discussions about the possibility of a replacement fundraiser in 2021 and what events we will be able to support as a community. We are exploring the possibility of a ‘mini event’ in 2021 with a Spring Fair in 2022 as would usually be the case. We are keen to get ideas from the school community as to events we could include next year, for our next meeting on the 16th November. If you have ideas to share, please email them to robyn.james@education.vic.gov.au or myself on jim.giannopoulos@bigpond.com
Sister School Relationship
Global Citizenship and Intercultural Capabilities are and will be increasingly important as our students move into the workforce. The School Council enthusiastically reinforced its support for the Sister School relationship to continue with Youfu West Street Primary School in Nanjing China. We also discussed the possibility of expanding our relationships to include a school in an indigenous community in northern Australia. We will keep the school community informed of any updates.
2021 Key Dates
School Council has approved the following dates as Curriculum dates for 2021, please place these in your 2021 diaries.
Wednesday 27th January 2021
Thursday 28th January 2021
Tuesday 9th March 2021
Friday 11th June 2021
School Council Meeting
The School Council and Committees will be meeting online this term, via WebEx. The date of the next School Council meeting is:
Monday 16th November @ 7.30pm
If you are not a member but are interested in attending, please email Robyn James.
Jim Giannopoulos
School Council President