School Council
All school councils in Victoria operate under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006.
Each school council is established by an Order of the Minister for Education, which specifies:
· membership
· size and configuration
· objectives and powers
· functions and accountabilities
· role of the executive officer who is the principal.
Key Functions
The school council has particular functions in setting and monitoring the school’s direction.
School councils have three main responsibilities:
· finance: overseeing the development of the school’s annual budget and ensuring proper records are kept of the school’s financial operation
· strategic planning: participating in the development and monitoring of the school strategic plan
· 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.
Other key functions of school councils include:
· raising funds for school related purposes
· maintaining school grounds and facilities
· entering into contracts
· reporting annually to the school community and the Department
· creating interest in the school in the wider community
· representing and taking the views of the community into account
· regulating and facilitating after-hours use of school premises and grounds
· operating a children’s service at the school.
School councils comprise parents, the principal, staff, and students if the school has enrolments in year 7 and above. Many councils also have community members. At least two thirds of the membership consists of parents. School council elections are held in February or March each year and must be completed by 31 March. Our School Council election process for 2023 is currently underway. See Compass for details.
All parents or guardians of students enrolled at the school are eligible to vote for parent members, staff vote for Department employee members and students vote for student members. Community members are co-opted by the school council.
Terms of office on School Council
School council members are elected (or co-opted in the case of community members) for a two year term. Usually half the membership expires each year creating vacancies for the annual school council election.
The term of office and rights and responsibilities of community or co-opted members are the same as those of elected councilors.
It is to the benefit of the whole school that parents take a positive interest in the work of the School Council. It is a great way to be informed as to the operations of the school.
Reporting Information
· 2021-25 School Stragetic Plan
· 2023Annual Implementation Plan
· 2022 Annual Report to the School Community
The Council meets twice a term on a Wednesday evening at 6.30pm onsite at school.
Members of the school community are welcome to attend any or all school council and sub-committee meetings. If you would like to attend a school council or sub-committee meeting, please contact the office so that we can arrange for a school representative to welcome you to the meeting.
Council members are keen to represent the whole school community, and are always interested in any thoughts or feedback that will help improve Truganina South primary, to ensure we achieve our vision.
Current Council Members
I am a proud Dad of two boys who attend TSPS - Aric in Grade 6 and Ezra in Grade 2. With a professional background in the property and financial sectors, I specialise in human resources for a state-owned public-sector enterprise providing essential life products and services to the community. I also tutor and facilitate sessional classes in human resources at University.
In my leisure time, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends, going on outings, bike riding, travelling, and most importantly, doing it all with my wife Nikki and the boys. I believe that education is the most valuable asset one can possess, which is why I enjoy being on School Council. Being involved allows me to use my skills, knowledge, and passion for education, provide good governance, be a voice for our parents and community, support our teachers, support staff, and executive team, and create a brighter future for all our children.
Additionally, I am an active member of my community, having served as a committee member within the city of Wyndham. Being involved in the community has allowed me to connect with residents, voice opinions and matters of interest, take action on issues affecting the community, and build relationships with key stakeholders to make living in this community enjoyable.
I have the privilege and responsibility to assist TSPS in things that are not always seen and heard, and I want to ensure that you get to celebrate our successes with us.
Committees:
Finance Sub-Committee
I am a firm believer that education is one of the most powerful change agents in a child’s life and am proud to be a part of this incredible school community. I hope that by being a part of the School Council I can bring a parent voice into how we shape our school. In my professional life I work with The Smith Family, which is a charity focused on overcoming educational inequality caused by poverty.
I have three children who attend the school, and we have lived in this area since 2014, having moved down from Cairns (a bit of a tree change!). We love getting out and exploring this wonderful city and state that we live in and getting involved in local sports.
I am Sahar and I have a daughter enrolled in class 6 of TSPS. I enjoy my time being part of the School Council in a finance role. This role has given me an invaluable opportunity not only to express my views and opinions about the school, its functioning and suggest improvements, but also to meet other multifaceted council members and listen to what everyone has to contribute.
My higher education is in medical science and I am a scientist by profession. In my spare time, I like reading a lot and since science and research has been my forte, I do like to keep up with scientific innovations and research going on in some specific areas. In particular, some areas of science like healthy and clean eating pique my interest a lot. I am passionate about children’s education and holistic development.
TSPS is a great school and has a lot of potential for students. Teachers and staff members are fantastic and invest their time and energy to educate and guide children from such a diverse background and culture. I see TSPS as a big melting pot and a place where future talents take shape. I would like to see the school thrive and grow more with a quality reputation in the community.
Committees:
Finance Sub-Committee
I’m passionate about Art , crafts and learning new languages or new things “It's never too late “, We have two children at TSPS and being involved with the school has been such a privilege. I’m excited to be involved with the school and build new relationships with other families. I love contributing to our local community.
I have two kids, Adam, and Maria . I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends, going on outings travelling and learning about other cultural and crafting together.
I have the privilege and responsibility to assist TSPS in things that are not always seen and heard, and I want to ensure that you get to celebrate our successes with us.
I’m Caitlin, Mum to James & Mia and a passionate supporter of wellbeing. If our children are physically, psychologically, and emotionally healthy, they will thrive. I value trauma informed practice, a child’s happiness, and wellbeing above all else.
I am married to Steve and together with our children we love cruising, camping, swimming, baking, reading, tv and travelling.
At work, I support our organisation’s employee’s health by delivering a range of employee support services including our Employee Assistance Program, Mental Health First Aid Training, Peer Supporters, Family Violence Contact Officers, physical and mental health programs whilst promoting meaningful connection and celebrations.
I am currently studying a Diploma of Mental Health in my ‘spare’ time.
I have been an educator for more than 40 years always with the Department of Education. I also engage with The Academy as a facilitator in the area of Leading by Learning- a role I relish.
It has been a wonderful career working across a number of schools, always in the western suburbs. I have worked both in primary and P-9 settings, being a founding member of two of those schools.
Coming from a migrant background (my parents came from Italy in the late 1950’s) I have always appreciated the challenges and richness that integrating in a vibrant, multicultural community can bring.
For the last seven years I have been privileged and humbled to be the Principal of our school community- a community that is made up of more than 60 cultures and 80 languages. It is a wonderful melting pot of meetings of traditions, cultures and values.
I am very proud of both our Wellbeing Centre and Community Hub onsite at TSPS. These two facilities and the services that happen within them and beyond lend to my vision of community outreach, my belief that happy children will be happy learners and that the school is critical and central to any community. To see these two ideals that I so wished for TSPS become living, breathing operations is wonderful.
Our school values of Relationships, Excellence, Acceptance, Collaboration and Honesty are values I believe transcend all cultures and families of our community. One of my favourite things is to be at the gates in the mornings and after school to meet and greet students and family members.
I have been on School Councils for more than 20 years and have always valued it as one key way to foster and sustain the home school partnership that we encourage with our families. We work together for the most important members of our community- your children, our students.
The School Council at TSPS is highly committed, passionate, proactive and wonderful advocates for all students and the work that happens at our school. It is a joy to work with all our members.
On a personal note, I have one daughter and a beautiful grandson.
I have two cats, Monty and Freddie.
I follow the Western Bulldogs in the AFL, Western United in A-League and Melbourne Storm in the Rugby.
I also enjoy watching the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
In the small amount of spare time I have in a week I love to cook and I love to write.
A very proud Principal!
Committees:
Finance Sub-Committee
I have been in education for 14 years and worked at Truganina South Primary School for almost 10 years. I am currently the assistant principal for the 3-6 mini school but at Truganina South Primary School we value team work and collaboration and we work across the school. As a school leader, I aim to create a culture and environment that provides our staff with the best opportunity possible to provide high quality support for all students both academically and with their wellbeing. I have a particular passion for Numeracy and aim to further build problem solving into everyday Numeracy teaching.
On a personal note, I have two children and my eldest has recently started Foundation. This new experience has enabled me to better understand the perspective of our parent community and to reflect on how we can better support all of our stakeholders. My youngest child is two and she definitely keeps me on my toes. My children have helped me to better appreciate the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle and this is something that I also aim to promote with our students at school. The opportunity to move and exercise is important as well as learning about other healthy choices.
At School Council, I value hearing the perspectives of our parents and community representatives. It is important to hear the issues that are important to our families and work together to create a better school for all. I also really value the opportunity to hear from students when they present at School Council.
Committees:
Finance Sub-Committee
I have been working in education for 16 years and have been teaching at Truganina South Primary School since 2017, starting off as a Leading Teacher and now currently as an Assistant Principal.
I am passionate about inclusion and supporting students with additional needs and students from diverse backgrounds, ensuring they have the same access to education as their peers. Being a mum of 2 children with additional needs this is both a personal and professional passion of mine.
In my spare time I love spending time with my family and friends and also attending sporting events and concerts. I am always on the lookout for new adventures and experiences to explore.
MEETING DATES
Wednesdays 6:30pm
- OCTOBER 18th
- NOVEMBER 19th
- DECEMBER 6th (Dinner an final Finance Sign Off for 2023.)
Our Annual Report will be presented in Term 1 on line (date to be confirmed with current and new council members required to attend, wider community invited to join on line).
Two more dates to be confirmed for Term 1 , 2024 before the end of the 2023 school year.
There is more information about School Councils on the Victorian Department of Education's website.
