See below for articles of Interest from School Leadership
OPENING TIMES OF CLASSROOMS
As a result of some parents voicing their concerns, the Staff AEU group gave further consideration to the matter of keeping classrooms closed until after 8.40am each morning. The original decision was part of EBA negotiations and staff were trying to protect the time they had to prepare for the lessons each day, particularly in the primary school. However the staff union has listened to the concerns of parents and they have now decided that classrooms will be opened and supervised from 8.30am each day. The offer of the library being available for students arriving after 8am each day still stands. I congratulate the staff on their fair and community minded approach to the matter.
BERRIES
As I am sure many of you are aware, there were consumer recalls of both ‘Nanna’s’ and ‘ Creative Gourmet’ Mixed Berries over the weekend. See link http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/industry/foodrecalls/recalls/Pages/default.aspx for more information.
Children who attended the after care program on Thursday 4th and Monday 9th February 2015 may have consumed ‘Woolworths Select’ Mixed Berries with afternoon tea (Fruit Salad with Yoghurt/Crumpets with Greek Yoghurt and Mixed Berries), this product has NOT been recalled. The College canteen uses fresh berries and freezes it own batches using Australian produce.
SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS
I would like to inform the community that the following vacancies exist in the upcoming March elections of school council : 3 parent representatives and 4 DET employed Staff representatives will be up for election. As a rule, more than one third of the College Council are made up of Parent members and another third is made up of DET employed members (of which the Principal is mandated). Co-opted community members (up to 4) may be elected by the council to ensure a balance of skills, interests and experience. Paul Gardiner, Maya Starr and Michael Garver will continue in their Parent category roles until March 2016. All 4 DET employee positions are vacant .
The functions of a school council are broadly below:
- establishing the broad direction and vision of the school within the school’s community
- participating in the development and monitoring of the school strategic plan
- approving the annual budget and monitoring expenditure
- developing, reviewing and updating school policies
- raising funds for school-related purposes
- maintaining the school’s grounds and facilities
- entering into contracts (such as for cleaning or construction work)
- reporting annually to the school community and to the Department
- creating interest in the school in the wider community
- informing itself of and taking into account the views of the community
- regulating and facilitating the after hours use of school premises and grounds
- operating a children’s service at the school or other premises controlled by the Minister.
The School Council encourages much of its day to day work be conducted through a series of sub-committee structures consisting of:
Finance
The finance Committee reports on all financial and regulatory requirements of school business. It is a legal and Departmental requirement that council makes sure that monies coming into the school are being properly expended and authorised. This group met at 7.30-8.30am once a month on Thursdays for 2014.
To ensure this happens, councils are responsible for ensuring that the school has a functioning, effective system of internal controls.
Council via Finance committee also helps develop the school’s program (non-staff) budget that shows how the school will allocate its resources to implement the key improvement strategies in the school strategic plan and annual implementation plan. Council then monitors the school’s financial performance against the budget in conjunction with the principal.
Finally, council is responsible for how the school raises income (over and above the funding provided by the government). It must manage any financial and reputational risks that could arise, and ensure that all legal requirements are met.
Buildings, Environment and Sustainability
This BES group provides management advice and support to the School Principal in all matters pertaining to school buildings improvement, College wide Sustainability programs and the internal and external learning environments of the school. Typically, Master Planning and Working Bees are examples of the types of projects considered and worked through. This group met at 5.30-7.30pm once a month on Tuesdays for 2014.
Communications
This group provides direction for College wide strategy relating to Publicity, Marketing, transition and the branding of the school. It also assists with event planning and communication. This group met at 7.30-8.30am once a month on Wednesdays for 2014.
Parents Association This group provide support and opportunities for parents to engage with the school community and its programs. It provides parents with a voice and structure to positively affect the policies, community wellbeing and social capital of the school. This group meet in the evenings.
Edpol This group review and write policy as needed. They ensure that the school policies, processes and procedures are relevant to the needs and operations of the school and its community. This group met at 5.30-7.30pm once a month on Mondays for 2014.
Members of School Council are usually a member of one the above committees. SC usually meets once a month on the last Thursday commencing at 5.30pm.
Nomination forms can be obtained from the office. Contact Stan using either compass or direct contact.
The timelines have been provided.
Collingwood College Community Report – Feb 17, 2015
See below for articles of Interest from School Leadership
OPENING TIMES OF CLASSROOMS
As a result of some parents voicing their concerns, the Staff AEU group gave further consideration to the matter of keeping classrooms closed until after 8.40am each morning. The original decision was part of EBA negotiations and staff were trying to protect the time they had to prepare for the lessons each day, particularly in the primary school. However the staff union has listened to the concerns of parents and they have now decided that classrooms will be opened and supervised from 8.30am each day. The offer of the library being available for students arriving after 8am each day still stands. I congratulate the staff on their fair and community minded approach to the matter.
BERRIES
As I am sure many of you are aware, there were consumer recalls of both ‘Nanna’s’ and ‘ Creative Gourmet’ Mixed Berries over the weekend. See link http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/industry/foodrecalls/recalls/Pages/default.aspx for more information.
Children who attended the after care program on Thursday 4th and Monday 9th February 2015 may have consumed ‘Woolworths Select’ Mixed Berries with afternoon tea (Fruit Salad with Yoghurt/Crumpets with Greek Yoghurt and Mixed Berries), this product has NOT been recalled. The College canteen uses fresh berries and freezes it own batches using Australian produce.
SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS
I would like to inform the community that the following vacancies exist in the upcoming March elections of school council : 3 parent representatives and 4 DET employed Staff representatives will be up for election. As a rule, more than one third of the College Council are made up of Parent members and another third is made up of DET employed members (of which the Principal is mandated). Co-opted community members (up to 4) may be elected by the council to ensure a balance of skills, interests and experience. Paul Gardiner, Maya Starr and Michael Garver will continue in their Parent category roles until March 2016. All 4 DET employee positions are vacant .
The functions of a school council are broadly below:
The School Council encourages much of its day to day work be conducted through a series of sub-committee structures consisting of:
Finance
The finance Committee reports on all financial and regulatory requirements of school business. It is a legal and Departmental requirement that council makes sure that monies coming into the school are being properly expended and authorised. This group met at 7.30-8.30am once a month on Thursdays for 2014.
To ensure this happens, councils are responsible for ensuring that the school has a functioning, effective system of internal controls.
Council via Finance committee also helps develop the school’s program (non-staff) budget that shows how the school will allocate its resources to implement the key improvement strategies in the school strategic plan and annual implementation plan. Council then monitors the school’s financial performance against the budget in conjunction with the principal.
Finally, council is responsible for how the school raises income (over and above the funding provided by the government). It must manage any financial and reputational risks that could arise, and ensure that all legal requirements are met.
Buildings, Environment and Sustainability
This BES group provides management advice and support to the School Principal in all matters pertaining to school buildings improvement, College wide Sustainability programs and the internal and external learning environments of the school. Typically, Master Planning and Working Bees are examples of the types of projects considered and worked through. This group met at 5.30-7.30pm once a month on Tuesdays for 2014.
Communications
This group provides direction for College wide strategy relating to Publicity, Marketing, transition and the branding of the school. It also assists with event planning and communication. This group met at 7.30-8.30am once a month on Wednesdays for 2014.
Parents Association This group provide support and opportunities for parents to engage with the school community and its programs. It provides parents with a voice and structure to positively affect the policies, community wellbeing and social capital of the school. This group meet in the evenings.
Edpol This group review and write policy as needed. They ensure that the school policies, processes and procedures are relevant to the needs and operations of the school and its community. This group met at 5.30-7.30pm once a month on Mondays for 2014.
Members of School Council are usually a member of one the above committees. SC usually meets once a month on the last Thursday commencing at 5.30pm.
Nomination forms can be obtained from the office. Contact Stan using either compass or direct contact.
The timelines have been provided.