SCHOOL COUNCIL
School Council 2020: Decisions, Progress & The Future
It has been an interesting ‘socially distant’ year for School Council! As this year comes to a close we wanted to share with you some of the activities and achievements from Council throughout this year.
Earlier this year we kicked off by farewelling departing council members, welcoming new ones and appointing office bearers for 2020. Office bearers for this year were:
- Co-Presidents: Kate O’Callaghan and Luisa Ford;
- Treasurer: Ian Nathaniel; and
- Secretary: Karen Gibbons.
Council was made up of 7 parent representatives, 4 staff representatives, one co-opted member and Justine Mackey as Executive Officer. Each Council member also sat on a sub-committee to oversee the direction and progress of five key areas of the school: finance, community engagement, policy, canteen and facilities.
Despite 2020 being an unprecedented year, Council continued to meet via Webex during lockdown and some major decisions reached throughout the year, included:
- Approving IEPS’s 2020 Strategic and Annual Implementation plans
- Reviewing school targets and achievement
- Discussing COVID-19 restrictions and their impact on school and our fundraising efforts
- Grant applications
In a normal year, we would also be celebrating many other amazing achievements, but obviously this year a number of events and activities were postponed/cancelled, including our biennial IEPS Fair, so, we are looking forward to having more to celebrate with you next year.
We are also looking forward to spending more social time together with everyone in our community next year, to connect and raise funds to reinvest into our school to improve the facilities for our children.
School Council Focus 2021
School Council will continue to operate as normal in 2021 - with parent, teacher, and leadership team representatives overseeing the responsible financial management of the school.
Council will continue to be focused on balancing the School’s budget and ensuring funds and effort are being spent to benefit students, their learning, their environment and of course our community.
Some of the specific activities Council members will oversee in 2021 include:
- Establishing the broad direction and vision of IEPS within the school’s community;
- Reviewing and approving IEPS's Annual Implementation Plan;
- Approving fundraising opportunities such as the School Gala;
- Regulating and facilitating the after-hours use of the school grounds and premises including OSHClub; and
- Ensuring each and every dollar received by the school is allocated to the right place, at the right time and most efficiently.
For a full overview of School Council’s remit, please visit: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/school-council-powers-and-functions/policy
Who to talk to if you have feedback/questions
The 2020 School Council will reconvene after the Summer break in Term 1. Nominations for vacant Council positions for 2021 will be called for in February, so keep an eye on the Bulletin if you are interested in applying - it is a very rewarding experience.
Once School Council is re-established in 2021 visitors are welcome to observe at our meetings. You can also submit any feedback or questions through the IEPS office to be given to the School Council President(s) which will be addressed as correspondence at the next Council meeting.
Please remember that you are also encouraged to speak to your child’s teacher or Justine Mackey if you wish to discuss the learning program or anything to do with your child’s learning.
Finally, thank you to everyone in the IEPS community for all your support of School Council in 2020. We very much look forward to seeing you for a ‘COVID-normal’ 2021.
All the best,
Kate O’Callaghan & Luisa Ford
Co-Presidents, IEPS School Council