School Council Meeting 18th March 2014

Present:Phil Burgoine, Sam Nadar, Daisy Victor, Leanne Hogan, Steve Ahern, Steve Boyce, Margi Itsines, Sarah Porter, Mary Thomson

Apologies: Sophie Bakarnis

Mary chaired the beginning of the meeting:

-Steve Boyce and Daisy Victor are elected as the new parent members on school council.

-Steve Ahern is elected unopposed as the DEECD member.

-The Community member vacancy still sits open.

-Steve Ahern and Margi Itsines nominate Phil Burgoine for presidency. Phil is elected as President unopposed.

-Margi is elected unopposed as Secretary and Steve Boyce nominates himself as treasurer and is elected unopposed.

-Mary said that letters of thanks will be sent to Penny, Michael, Roger and Greg to thank them for their time on school council.

Minutes of Previous Meeting:

Having been circulated, taken as read

Moved:MargiSeconded:Leanne

Correspondence:

Nothing was discussed.

Principals Report:

-Enrolment figures as at 17/03/2014 stand at:

  • Niddrie 108
  • Laverton 183
  • Wattle 18
  • Adolescents 9

TOTAL 318 students

-The list of families interested in their children attending WAS in 2015 as of 18/3/14 stands at 41.

-SSG meetings between parent/guardians and teachers are now complete and each child’s ILP is being sent to parents.

-Families are currently visiting the primary classrooms to view the programs for family fun days and join in class activities.

-WAS is engaging with the central office about increasing ASD provision across the South Western Region via satellite units. WAS is in the process of compiling a formal submission to the department in support of these ASD satellite units.

-The WAS school review cycle begins over 2014/15. The leadership group are getting ready for strategic planning by attending training. The schools Strategic plan is linked to the vision of the school and the annual implementation plan also supports this.

-The ATI was discussed by Steve Ahern who is the acting director. Steve stated that this year they have 60 students enrolled in the ATI courses which is more than they expected. Steve stated that the government is also looking to set teaching academies for Pre Service Teachers. Steve and the ATI have submitted a proposal to be part of this and will find out the results soon.

-Professor Vicki Bitsika came to lecture staff at WAS and organised a Master Class for Wattle staff on the March 7th Curriculum Day. This day was very successful in discussing positive behaviour supports strategies.

-Robert Lamb did an independent review of the administration and leadership structure at WAS. Robert interviewed admin, leadership, allied health, AEU reps and teachers and his findings and recommendations will be presented soon. School Council will be briefed at future meetings on the recommendations. Robert will brief the whole school at campus meetings on Monday/Tuesday next week also.

-The Nilai School in Malaysia has proposed a visit of WAS staff to occur between the 22-30 April. The aim is to provide more training and help with ILP’s, support teachers and ES’s as well. Gabby and Miriam from the ATI will be attending.

-Jack Troost is a new maintenance employee who has been employed at the Niddrie campus for 25 hours a week.

-It must be noted that ground works are also underway at the Flemington site.

-Paul Sadler Swimland has notified WAS that they have already had over 200 children sign up to use the pool since opening and our Laverton students also get to use the facilities 3 days a week.

-The changes to the locking system at Laverton have improved campus security. Garry would like it to be noted that there are still movement issues in the buildings at Laverton and this will be an ongoing issue but all plumbing and electrics are sound.

Jennings St Report – Phil:

-The Jennings Street School is an election promise from the government which occurred in 2010, whereby $4million was originally promised. This figure has now escalated to almost $14million in expenditure.

-WAS School Council President Phil Burgoine has been attending planning meetings for the campus and will keep school council informed.

-The Junior School stage is expected to be completed by July 2014, with the other 2 stages looking to be completed in July 2015. The government is also hoping that the school will be ready for students on Day 1 of Term 4 2014, although the Department states it would prefer the beginning of 2015.

-The process of appointing a principal at the school has begun and they should be starting in Term 3. It is proposed that there will be 13 classrooms as designed by the architect and there are facilities for 8 students in each class.

-The school will open with grades 5-8 and Phil is hoping that by the next school council meeting he will have more information on buses and transport details.

Treasurers Report

-School Council last meeting decided to keep the WAS school fees at $200 per year, but should consideration be given to making this figure less for subsequent children?

-School Council considers the proposal and decides to charge $200 for first child and then $100 for a second child and $50 for a third child.

-The confirmed budget will be released in late March. WAS has the highest enrolment numbers it has ever had and this should be reflected in the budget.

-Due to the increase in numbers the cash budget will be amended to reflect increased enrolments and this will be delivered soon to school council.

-An investment account has been set up as was agreed upon at a previous school council. Money will remain in the account until the end of Term 2. Currently there are no cash flow issues, however this money will need to be accessed in Term 3.

-EMA has been paid to the school. ¼ of the family population were successful in obtaining their EMA and the majority of them have allocated the EMA towards the school. This helps to pay for school fees, swimming and other excursions as per requested.

Accounts Ratified.

Moved:Steve AhernSeconded: Leanne

Fundraising:

-The School Council approves the sale of Hot Cross Buns as the fundraiser for Term 1.

-A motion is place that the activities be nominated NPSE and therefore be coded out of scope NS6 or NP6 for reporting purposes.

Buildings & Grounds

-Nothing to report.

Technology

-Nothing to report.

General Business:

-Phil discussed that the WAS principal vacancy would be advertised soon on the 2nd May until the 16th May 2014.

-The same processes will be followed as last time and there will be more information to follow.

Meeting Closed at: 9:00PM

The next meeting is on the Thursday 1st May, at Niddrie at 7:30PM