Echuca Primary School
School Council Minutes
2014
‘A School with Tradition and a Future’
Wednesday August 13th, 2014
Staffroom
7 pm
DATE:
WHERE:
TIME:
PRESENT: Rohan Stone, Mary Hawker, Gayle Bedford, Scott Trewhella, Pat Turner, Libby Preston, Lynda Reid, Trav
Cartwright, Ange Procter, Mel Mann, Shaq Mubariz & Brendan Leersen
APOLOGIES: Paul Hon (Leave), Andrew Thompson, Leo Welch,
Minutes of June School Council Meeting are true and accurate.
Moved: Pat Turner
Seconded: Scott Trewhella
Carried
1.
BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES:
Item
Action
Mal Whyte Brick Wall
Quote to fix crack $450 from Neil Thomson, Gayle has informed Neil but has
not been fixed yet.
Co-opted Community
Gayle has contacted Leo Welch, he is happy to come on board. Welcome
Members
Leo.
YMCA Afterschool Care
Following Meeting on July 15th the school provided the Department with a
Certificate of Occupancy for the gym from the Shire and measurements of
the outside area from the SAM maps.
Reading Program support
Follow up from Riv newspaper article was unsuccessful Suggestion to
approach an elderly group in the community to support our reading
program eg Probus
Drop off point
Follow up next meeting
Solar power
Investigations being carried out as to whether we are eligible for
funding/grant. Applications for grants have previously been unsuccessful
2
CORRESPONDENCE:
2.1 Inwards
Date
From
30
Shire Of Campaspe
July
July
Minister of
Education
Christopher Pyne
2.2
Date
17 July
What
Confirmation of the School Council’s letter of
objection to the development at 286
Anstruther St Echuca for a Camping & Caravan
Park.
Explaining the Australian Government’s plan
for School Education- Student’s First policy.
Increase in funding
8.7% in 2014-15
8.9% in 2015-16
8.9% in 2016-17 and 6.9% in 2017-18.
Action
Will be advised within twothree weeks of the
outcome.
Can
access
further
information;
www.studentsfirst.gov.au
Outwards
To
YMCA
Details
Letter from the Shire of Campaspe in regard to a Certificate of
Occupancy for the gym. Bob Barrass, Municipal Building Surveyor
30 July
Shire of Campaspe
School Council letter of objection to the proposed development at
286 Anstruther St Echuca for a Camping & Caravan Park.
Motion: The Inwards Correspondence is received and the Outwards Correspondence is endorsed.
Moved: Rohan Stone
Seconded: Ange Proctor
Carried
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Echuca Primary School
School Council Minutes
‘A School with Tradition and a Future’
2014
2.3
Term 3
Excursions & Camps
Years 5/6 Camp Wilkin at Anglesea. 6th -10th October Risk Management
Years 3/4 Camp to Nillachootie, Benalla x 2. 6th -8th October 8th -10th October
Foundation Aquarium Day Excursion to Melbourne 5th September
Motion: That all Camps and Outdoor Activities be approved to be undertaken by Echuca Primary School students.
Moved: Shaq Mubariz
Seconded: Mel Mann
Carried
3. REPORTS
3.1. Finance Report - Motion: That the Financial Reports for the months of June & July 2014 be received and that
the accounts paid therein be ratified and further that the tabling of the receipt journals for the month of June
& July 2014 be acknowledged.
Moved: Rohan Stone
Seconded: Pat Turner
Carried
3.2
Principal’s Report: presented by Gayle Bedford
After School Care- YMCA
The staff of Echuca Primary School fully supports the notion of the After School Care Program to be conducted by the
YMCA. It is agreed by all that the benefits of future enrolments that this services may offer, far out way issues of
storage and cleaning with a preparedness to work alongside the YMCA to cater for needs of the community. It will be
process of review and trials to make the program work.
Enrolments
From Friday 1st August Census, enrolments are 513.6. This is still fluctuating with transfers out and in.
Indicative enrolments for 2015 is 543.6. Feb census was only 496.6.
Foundation-85 (without repeats), Year 1-86(not counting repeats), Year 2-77, Year 3-78, Year 4-82, Year 5-70, Year 6-67.
Language Program, for Foundation in 2015. It is a requirement for all schools. F-6 by 2020. How can we do this? This
is a topic of discussion at the Echuca Principal’s meeting on August 12th. The College teach Indonesian!
End of term was very busy with Report writing. Parent/teacher Interviews were conducted in the second week of
term 3, over two evenings. History has shown that evenings are preferred. We will review this process.
Years 3 & 4 study of step back in Time showcased many projects to family members. Some are on display at the Port
Discovery Centre.
2 students represented the Echuca Lion’s Club at the Regional Public Speaking Competition at Girgarre. They were
excellent but did not proceed further against some very talented students from Nathalia, Stanhope, Rochester,
Lockington, Numurkah, Tongala & Moama Lion’s Clubs
Parent Opinion Survey has now been completed. With some gentle persuasion from Cheryl in the office, 60 out 77
surveys were returned- 77% slightly up from last year but it doesn’t appear to be a priority to some parents even
after the positive promotion to have their say.
Principal for a Day, Member for Rodney, Paul Weller will be at 208 on August 12th. We have some very exciting tasks
for him to carry out!
Sport
Cross Country success with five students advancing to compete in Melbourne, where they came within a third of the
field. Girls’ Soccer Team has made it through to the Regional Level at Swan Hill on August 14th.
Interschool Sport- Grandfinal Premiers- Boys and Mixed Softball & D grade Netball
Staffing
Gavan Hughes secured a teaching position in Tasmania. He and his family have relocated to be closer to family also.
On behalf of the whole school community I’d like to formally acknowledge the positive achievements in eLearning
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Echuca Primary School
‘A School with Tradition and a Future’
School Council Minutes
2014
and Staff development that Gavan has led our school through. His skills, in-depth knowledge, thoroughness and
professional manner will certainly be an asset to his new school. We wish Gav and his family all the very best.
Jo Trewhella has returned to take Mr Hughes Grade 56 class, fulltime. Brendan Leersen has been nominated to a
casual position on School Council. Nicole Jenkins will be undertaking the funded Early Years Koorie Literacy &
Numeracy Program, two days per week.
A new Trainee, Jensie Schroen from Lockington has started a 12 month Education Support Traineeship. This is
partially funded by the Youth Employment Scheme (YES) and delivered by MEGT.
Mrs Clee is taking seven weeks Long Service to caravan up north with husband. Holly Butler will be taking her Science
classes.
KESO- Koorie Engagement & Support Officer, Michael Saunders will be working with 208 and Echuca South for the
remainder of the year.
Staff on leave have until October 1st at the latest, to inform me of their intentions for 2015. The earlier this is known,
will benefit planning for all.
3.3
Teaching & Learning Report: Rob Hogan
Classes continue to provide high quality education programs in a collaborative setting. Team planning and
assessment is a strong focus in all area meetings and teaching planning time to ensure we are catering for all
learning styles.
Areas work together to group students based on their learning needs. This is a great use of our collaborative
environment and increases the rigour in teaching and assessing.
The spelling inventory and maths online assessments have been conducted, which gives a clear direction for future
learning in these 2 areas, and along with running records, writing moderation and reading conferences taking place
regularly, teacher assessment appears to be accurate and well delivered.
Our 2014 full NAPLAN results should be here within the month of August, but our preliminary data has shown we are
ahead of state benchmarks in year 3 and at or just below state benchmarks in year 5. The matched cohort growth
from 3-5, should show a good improvement though.
3.4
Community Engagement/Parents & Friends: by Scott Trewhella
Lorin Nicholson:
On Monday 21st July Lorin Nicholson visited 208 to share his life experiences with the students. Born with limited
eyesight, which has diminished even further in his lifetime, Lorin conveyed to the students the challenges and
obstacles he has confronted as a result of his disability. These included being bullied and segregated at school. Lorin
also sent a strong message to his audience of his commitment to not letting his disability get in the way of setting
and achieving goals in life. For example, he is an acclaimed musician and has ridden a bike over long distances
raising money for charity.
St John’s First Aid:
In Week 3 of Term 3, all students at 208 had the opportunity to participate in a workshop focused on first aid. Led
by guest presenters, the students engaged in valuable conversations about what to do in an emergency, how to
assist when someone is injured and the correct procedures for administering first aid. The senior students took part
in practical activities such as placing a patient in the recovery position and providing CPR to broaden their
understanding and skill base.
It’s My School Too:
Also in Week 3 Jamie Roberts, the It’s My School Too program coordinator, returned to 208 to showcase the
collaborative movie produced by all state schools in Echuca. A number of our senior students appear in the movie,
as does Andrew Briggs. The production sends a clear message that bullying is not accepted at Echuca Primary School
and through role modelling, highlights ways to not be a bystander.
The Resilience Project:
Hugh Van Cuylenburg, the founder of the highly acclaimed Resilience Project, will be visiting Echuca Primary School
on the 25th and 26th of August, working with students, staff and the school community.
Hugh’s focus will be to support the development of resilience in our children as well as building the capacity of our
staff and families in this area.
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Echuca Primary School
School Council Minutes
‘A School with Tradition and a Future’
2014
Student Attendance:
Currently, the Student Engagement and Wellbeing Strategic Focus Group are examining student attendance records
from semester one 2014. The team will look at strategies to assist those students and families who are regularly
absent from school.
3.6
Facilities Report: – by Gayle Bedford
Have investigated water seepage from sprinkler heads and found the controlling solenoids- Denise Compton. Soft fall
around playgrounds needs to be topped up. May Whyte has been busy upgrading the garden on the northern
building wall pathway entrance. Cut down prickly cypress to be replaced with 3m grevilleas and hardy low
maintenance plants.
4
STRATEGIC FOCUS
4.1 Student Engagement & Well Being - Scott Trewhella, as above
4.2 Literacy – by Kylie Coutts
Literacy SFG spent the majority of Term 3 discussing ways in which we can support our colleagues in regards to
professional readings and ‘best practise’ when it comes to teaching Literacy. From this discussion we decided to
purchase a subscription to ‘The Two Sisters’ website – Gail Boushey and Joan Moser are world renown in the area of
teaching Literacy and are the creators of The Reading Café and The Daily 5 Programs. This websites provided a
wealth of professional readings, tips and links to help teachers. We will continue to use this throughout Term 4.
Learning Walks and Peer Observations will continue to be a focus for Term 4. Members of the SFG will take time to
walk throughout the school to take notes and photos of different aspects of Literacy – anchor charts, structure of the
Literacy Block and use of ICT in the Literacy Block.
Our Writing Resource Folder will continue to be a focus of our meetings and we are looking forward to our
curriculum day in Term 4 where we will be given the opportunity to visit Bendigo schools and view their Literacy
programs and what they feel is ‘best practise’ in the area of Literacy.
4.3 Mathematics – by Dylan Cuttriss
Some exciting events happening in the world of Maths at 208 in the coming weeks.
Thursday 7th we held the Australian Maths Competition. 60 students from years 3-6 sat the competition, that
challenges students on a wide range of mathematical concepts. We look forward to receiving the results of the
competition and recognizing students on their achievements at assembly.
SFG members have begun conducting Peer Observations with each other during Maths lessons. The focus of these
observations is to gain an overall understanding of how mathematics lessons are conducted throughout the school.
Once feedback has been received from these, members will begin to look closer at how the school is using data
effectively in the classroom.
Finally, we are gathering momentum to conduct a “Maths Morning” for parents to participate in. The focus for the
junior school will be “What Maths games can I play at home?” while the senior school will be looking into “Ways to
learn my times tables”. We look forward to sharing our ideas with the broader school community to assist parents in
creating a link between Maths at school and home.
4.4 e-Learning – presented by Trav Cartwright
The eLearning team has been developing priorities that were outlined at the start of the year.
Recently all staff participated in a Professional Development session on our chosen school collaboration program,
Edmodo. All teaching staff now have user names and passwords as well as access to the School Community page to
collaborate and share resources and ideas. The PD catered for all levels of current teacher capacity by offering three
workshops to suit individual teacher needs.
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Echuca Primary School
School Council Minutes
2014
‘A School with Tradition and a Future’
The iPad trial continues to gain momentum. We have recently gathered data on the trial from participating parents,
students and teachers. Tis will be collated for discussion at School Council. Discussions have taken place for 2015 and
beyond through SIFT. These discussions have led to the recommendation of a full BYOI program to be implemented,
where students will be required to bring an iPad in years 3,4&5. There will be an option for year 6 students to bring
an iPad from 2015 but they will also be leasing a school laptop.
Work has been going into to produce a BYOI program handbook as well as a parent information session tentatively
set for Wednesday 27th August. This will give parents time to look at purchasing options before 2015. One of these
options will be to purchase through the school using a payment plan to purchase at a discounted price through
Smartmove computers if we receive an order for more than 30 devices.
We wish to also propose that families can write to apply to use a different preferred device. There will be criteria for
the device that will need to be met, such as own app purchasing for the school apps, own maintenance and the
device must be tested on the School Network before it can be approved for use. This will accommodate families who
already have purchased different devices.
Other priorities that have been developed: Classroom experts have begun introductory training. Edmodo being used
more in classrooms.
4.5 Inquiry – by Kirsten Wright
The Inquiry team have been pioneering through creating an even / odd knowledge based Scope and Sequence and
reached a census on the expected Skills required for each year level to create the Echuca Primary School Inquiry
Plan, which is now displayed in the Staffroom.
Ben Hawthorn and Kirsten Wright attended the Hawker Brownlow Conference - Creating by Design – Jay McTighe
PD and have shared professional readings with the SFG team and SIFT team. It was determined that the format of
Essential Questions will be introduced later this year.
The Inquiry team have compiled a knowledge based booklet based on History, Humanities, Geography, Civics and
Citizenship, Health and Design Technology which will be an important professional reading for all staff and which will
be the focus for an upcoming Staff meeting when we will focus on determining the links of the even planner to the
required teaching components. This will ultimately lead us to building the odd planner.
Motion: That the all Reports be received and acknowledged.
Moved: Rohan Stone
Seconded: Mel Mann
Carried
4. GENERAL BUSINESS –
ITEM & DETAILS
5.1 YMCA After School Care Program
Cost of operation is covered with 30
students. We will charge a fee above
this number. $19 per night. Policies
have been received but are not final.
Last correspondence suggests that we
are right to go ahead in Term 4.
ACTION
We are not happy with the advertising sent by YMCA. We have limited
information to advertise but will send out an expression of interest to
parents.
Motion: The school council support the initiative of the YMCA beginning
After School Care Program in principle first week of term 4 subject to
agreement of contract and for school to ask for expressions of interest
from the community. Moved: Ange Proctor
Seconded: Shaq Mubariz
Carried
Action Pat to make contact with Eli Future consideration of $1 per child
per night.
Promote in all school communications
5.2 BYO iPad Trial Survey
Parent (40 responses) Reflected a
positive attitude toward program and
school Student Feedback
Information sessions for parents Thursday 4th September @ 3.30, 7.00
and Friday after assembly
Lease payment for notebooks needs to be covered, possibly through
increasing IT student charges.
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‘A School with Tradition and a Future’
Recommendations Trial to become a full
program for Grades 3, 4 & 5 in 2015
5.3 Signage
5.4 Parents & Friends Fete
Aussie Fete @ 208, Friday 14th
November
All class has their parent helpers and
chosen stall Sponsorship letters have
been distributed Zone in Bendigo have
been approached WHIP Industries have
also been approached
Gala Ball Early 2015 (March)
5.5 Solar Installation
Lisa has engaged a Rep from Sunsolar
who is calculating whether our school is
eligible.
5.6 AIP
6. Planning objection
Objection received We will be advised
by the shire when meetings will be held
Grounds & Facilities
Amphitheatre needs attention Mal has
been working on the garden in this area
Fencing & sustainability group are
having an impact on general tidiness of
the grounds
Dustbowl needs attention
Community link with Johnny & Lyle’s is
working well
Student Leader Roles
Process of selection of Student
leadership roles is unclear.
School Council Minutes
2014
Staff to continue to review iPad agreement.
Steps to be taken to make devices as accessible as possible through
offering a payment arrangement. This information will be passed on to
parents at the information night.
Motion: Based on the analysis of the BYOI trial school council supports
the implementation of a full BYOI device program from Years 3 to 5 in
2015 with the following provisos:
1. Grades 6 having the option to participate
2. 2.Allowance for alternative devices to be brought in with
written requests
3. Steps to be taken to make devices as accessible as possible
through offering a payment arrangement
4. Consideration to be made for students unable to bring their
own device.
Moved: Travis Cartwright
Seconded: Mel Mann
Carried
No further progress at this stage will table at September meeting
Ticket booths to be manned by school council reps & teachers Option
of pre-selling tickets and printing own tickets Meeting Thursday 14th
August
Bunnings BBQ 31st August Helpers needed
Gala Ball date will be locked in. Suggestion of March 13th @ Morrisons.
There is a group of parents who are very keen to run this
Gayle to inform Council when information is provided
Document based on our strategic plan to inform school council about
what is happening in our school Tabled and endorsed.
Representatives will be sent to the meetings Gayle will advise us when
and where.
Gain advice from Leo Welch regarding what can be done with the
seating in this area
Taps near basketball courts could be removed to tidy up this area
Need to continue to make the new Arts building and surrounds more
presentable
Develop a clear description through creating proformas of positions and
inform parents and students of process. Documentation for future
reference. Consistent process.
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Echuca Primary School
School Council Minutes
2014
‘A School with Tradition and a Future’
ACTIONS
WHAT
After School Care
WHO
Pat
By WHEN
Next meeting
Gayle
Thursday
August
Resilience Project Parent Gayle
Information night
Scott
Drop Off
Gayle
&
Prior to
meeting.
How we’ll know it’s done
Contact with Eli Future consideration of $1
per child per night. A response from Eli
Promote in all school communications
14th Request expressions of interest from
parents of school. Collection of surveys
returned at office.
Invitation to be extended to 2015
Foundation student parents
Sept Email info from Andrew re Council
suggestions for Drop Off at the High St Car
Park
MEETING CLOSED: 9.25
Next meetings: Wednesday 10th September 7.00 pm, Finance: Tuesday 9th 2.45pm
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