School Council News

Welcome back all and welcome to ASPS all new families! I hope everyone enjoyed the long summer break and fully revived for what I am sure will be a fantastic year.

The School Council are required to meet at least twice a term and we held our first meeting for 2020 last week. All School Council meeting dates are now in our calendars and noted on the school newsletter and anyone interested is always welcome.

A significant event this year is the PYP evaluation which is required every five years to maintain status as an International Baccalaureate World School. Shaz Bailey gave an update to the School Council on the self-study process that the staff has undertaken and the Principal Team is busy coordinating the required documentation for the visit by IB representatives in May.

As already noted in last weeks newsletter the installation of the much-anticipated heating and cooling system in the school hall was completed during the holidays. This will allow the space to be used all year and in all weather. A HUGE thank you to all those that enabled this to happen.

Over the coming weeks and months other smaller projects will be initiated including further work around the Tooronga Road sensory garden where the pavers have already been laid. This will include further developing the path and substantial plantings partly supported by a biodiversity grant ASPS was successful in obtaining late last year.

Council members are always happy to hear from the school community so feel free to contact me or any other member, you can find our details on the newsletter which will be updated as and when the new Council is formed next month.

Nell Carswell

School Council President

2019 School Council Members (till the end of March, 2020)

Nell Carswell (President)

I am delighted to have been elected as President of the ASPS council for 2019 and very much looking forward to working with the extremely capable and engaged team. My daughter, Hatty McCleery, is in 5A and has been at ASPS since prep. Please feel free to reach out to 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 have been re-elected as 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 4B 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

I am very pleased to have joined the ASPS School Council and am looking forward to the year ahead. Having three children at the school 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 am eager to draw on this in my work on the council. Please feel free to contact me on kate.collett@bigpond.com.

Shaun Cooley

With two kids, Stella (Year 5) & Saxon (Year 2), I am honoured to be part of the school council. As a parent, I look forward to working with other council members to ensure we make the best possible decisions with regards to the safety and well being of our children, the level of education they receive and building an environment that promotes confidence, trust and respect. At the same time I feel very lucky to be part of this great community as we create memories and friendships for life.

Jun Yang

My name is Jun and I have 3 boys at ASPS. I work as an Endocrinologist at Monash Health and conduct research on the hormonal causes of high blood pressure. I care a great deal about the quality of children’s education and their health and development. I will work with Council to achieve the best outcomes for our children.

Mark O'Brien

I am the dad of Thomas (2B) and Samuel who will be in Prep in 2019. I am delighted to join the Auburn South Primary School Council where I am looking forward to being able to leverage my skills and contribute to our school community.

Jemima Collins

I am Jemima and I am looking forward to another collaborative year on School Council.

I have John in Grade 2C and Elizabeth who will start at ASPS in 2021. I have enjoyed helping in the canteen, the Parent's Association and the 2019 Winter Ball Committee. I anticipate another wonderful year, assisting further improvements in our school community.

Kathy Arnold

I have been teaching at ASPS since 2008. My current roles include Year 4 teacher, learning specialist, and I am enjoying being a member of the school’s finance committee. I am a long term student of education and life with a passion for moving maths education into the 21st century and developing critical thinkers. Currently, this involves working on a PhD in primary mathematics teaching and learning through RMIT University.

Sharron (Shaz) Bailey

I’m really enjoying my new 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 7 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

2020 School Council Meeting Dates

Tuesday 18 February (6.30-8.30pm)

Tuesday 17 March (including AGM) (6:30 - 8:30pm)

Tuesday 12 May (6.30-8.30pm)

Tuesday 16 June (6.30-8.30pm)

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)

Parents Association

School Fun Run Wednesday April 22