Auburn South Newsletter

ASPS School Council

School Council News: End of Year Wrap Up

The ASPS School Council had our final meeting for 2019 last night.  As always, we covered a lot of ground, had robust discussions and had a little time to reflect on what has been achieved at ASPS this year.  I’ll attempt to summarise some of the highlights.

 

School Council is made up of both teacher and parent members who all give their time (and often a lot of it) voluntarily.  They are a dynamic team with ideas that translate to action and always have the interest of the students at the centre of decision making. I personally would like to thank them all for their commitment to ASPS School Council this year.  The support and the progress over the year has been very visible to me and it has been a privilege being the President.

We can end the year knowing the school finances are looking healthy.  The significant contributions everyone has made has allowed us to complete significant school improvement projects this calendar year.

 

This has included:

  • replacing the carpet in the main building,
  • upgrading the toilet facilities,
  • replacing the flooring in the canteen,
  •  upgrading classroom furniture in Grade 4 and 5,
  • laying the “commemorative path”, and
  • commissioning the installation of the heating and cooling in the school hall with it planned to be complete early next year.  

None of this could have been undertaken without incredible input from our extremely generous community so thank you to you all for putting your hands in your pockets, giving up your time and providing professional expertise.

This year ASPS invested time in applying for grants and I am pleased to report we were successful with a grant of $10,000 from the Communities Environment Program.  This grant will be spent next year. 

 

As always, the canteen and uniform shop managers and volunteers have provided lunches and snacks and new and second-hand uniform – many thanks and keep up the great work. Over the last couple of years School Council has been working much more closely with the canteen and uniform shop managers and hopefully making life easier for them as they focus on providing important services to our kids.

 

I would like to thank the Parents Association for their amazing contribution to the school in terms of providing community network opportunities and in managing fundraising events.  This year they have raised over $60,000 and I am quite sure they will set their target higher next! 

 

The Green Team (kids, staff and parents) have started some great work and here’s hoping a whole lot more initiatives will come to fruition next year – thank you to you all.

 

The School Council have spent a lot of time this year on ensuring all required policies are up to date and relevant.   We will communicate them early next year.  There will always be ways to improve them and always open to feedback to ensure all the policies are relevant and useful.

I would like to take this opportunity to thanks Marcus and his entire team for their continued support and endless enthusiasm for all things related to ASPS and of course the school wouldn’t be a school without the kids.  So well done to all of you, Merry Christmas, enjoy the summer holidays and looking forward to 2020!

 

Nell Carswell

School Council President

18 December 2019

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

2019 School Council Meeting Dates

Tuesday 29 October (6.30-8.30pm)

To be re-scheduled (Production Clash)

Tuesday 19 November (6.30-8.30pm)

Tuesday 17 December (6.30-8.30pm)