School Council News
On behalf of School council let me first extend a warm welcome back to school to everyone. For those families just joining SKIPPS in 2020 we are glad to have you as part of what we believe is a wonderful school community. I hope staff and students alike have had a rest and are feeling energised.
For those of you who aren’t aware the School council year is not equal to the calendar year and so current council remains in service until the AGM in late March - just prior to Easter break. Before that time, we will have elections to ensure the council vacancies have been filled. Councillors serve a 2 year term with 50% turnover each year. This allows for the school to benefit from new ideas and input. There is a legal framework that dictates the way the elections are to be held and this is facilitated by the School Principal.
Councils first meeting for 2020 is Wednesday 19thFebruary. We will be kicking off the year with final endorsement of the Annual Implementation Plan - this is what is monitored throughout the year to ensure we are on track with our strategic plan. At the end of last year council reviewed the results of the surveys completed by Students, Teachers and families and will be striving to support the staff with improvement activities to address opportunities identified by analysis of the data.
Other key areas of action on the agenda are review of the buildings and grounds masterplan; endorsement of a fundraising and school engagement calendar of events.
All the subcommittees Education & Policy; Buildings and grounds, finance and fundraising will also meet in the next fortnight and we look forward to working with them all.
Last year council wrote to Vic Roads, City of Port Phillip and the education department in relation to safety at the Canterbury road (tram tunnel) school access point. Our concerns relate to speed of cars and bikes in the area. We await to hear a response and as ever council encourages families to discuss road safety with their children and to assist them to develop strong road safety behaviours.
Additionally, we were told our years of lobbing for changes to the carpark have been approved and we expect that work to occur this year. The behaviours of some drivers puts students at significant risk of harm and we ask that families who use the car park are very mindful at drop off and pick up both in relation to stopping in the roadway, blocking other cars and students crossing behind and around vehicles. If you must drive, we also encourage alternatives along Canterbury road and Hockey drive.
Our participation in the local Fitzroy st precinct continues and we are ensuring the voice of families and students are being heard. At the end of 2019 that community group endorsed a place plan with a broad vision for revitalisation which can be accessed through City of Port Phillip or if you are interested in a copy contact me on cmsharp68@gmail.com
As I have said many times before SKIPPS strives to be a very inclusive and supportive school and the vibrant community is only possible through the contribution of families.
There are many ways to be involved and the activities of school council is one way either by being a member of council or a member of a council subcommittee who meet monthly to support.
School council has several functions:
- establish the broad direction and vision of the school within the school's community particularly through strategic planning: participating in the development and monitoring of the school strategic plan
- ensure that all money coming into the hands of the council is expended for proper purposes relating to the school by overseeing the development of the school’s annual budget and ensuring proper records are kept of the school’s financial operation
- policy development and review: developing, reviewing and updating policies that reflect a school’s values and support the school’s broad direction outlined in its strategic plan.
- exercise a general oversight of the school buildings and grounds and ensure that they are kept in good order and condition including provision for the cleaning and sanitary services that are necessary for the school improvements and upgrades to grounds and infrastructure
- raising funds for school related purposes
- regulate and facilitate the after hours use of the school premises and grounds
- inform itself and take into account any views of the school community for the purpose of making decisions in regard to the school and the students at the school
- generally stimulate interest in the school in the wider community
- entering into contracts
- reporting annually to the school community and the Department through the AGM
If you think you may be interested in being a member of council or contributing through a subcommittee, please let me or Neil know. Alternatively, you may want to quiz a councillor or with prior arrangement you can attend and observe a council meeting. There is also significant information you can access on the role of council via the education department:
On a final note just a reminder that in the next few weeks we have 2 wonderful events we hope to see you at. Jazz in the Park and the Fete. Jazz is a great way to meet new families and to say hello to familiar faces after the holidays. Fete is a much broader event engaging the wider community for a fun day out that also raises much needed funds for the school. We hope to see you at both.
Council looks forward to another year working with you all to support our children to reach positive educational outcomes and foster a vibrant community.
Catherine Sharples
School Council President