Community Council Clippings

The St Monica’s Community Council met for their first meeting of 2024 on Tuesday evening. It was wonderful to see everyone back and refreshed after the Christmas break.

Some of the highlights from our meeting were:

• Lisa presented her Principal’s Report and was pleased to express a calm return to the school year for both teachers and students. This is partially attributable to the school’s behavioural curriculum which aims to teach students about routine and predictability and to set clear expectations. The students have been responding well and it’s been a lovely way to start the year.
• Our Treasurer, Kate Carey tabled her report and we were pleased to approve funding for a new oven for the canteen.
• We welcomed the 2024 Fete Co-ordinator, Laura Davern to present an update on all things fete coming up on 6 April. Preparation is well under way. The fete team is looking for a few more stall co-ordinators and sponsorship. If you can help with either, please reach out to the fete team either by email: stmfete@gmail.com or through the St Monica’s Fete Facebook page.
• The Council was able to approve funding for the purchase of a popcorn and fairy floss machine which will be an asset for the school, not just for the fete, but also for special days, for example Grandparent’s day, Mother’s and Father’s Day, school concerts, year 6 Graduation, the end of year carols and other special occasions. This will also save on future hiring costs!
• The Community Council is currently transitioning to a new School Community Council Charter and is developing Terms of Reference for our fundraising and other working groups within the school. We are aiming to transition to the new Charter by the end of March.
• We are thrilled to be progressing with the development of the Outdoor Classroom and Council will keep the school community apprised of the exciting developments in this space. This will be funded in part by the funds raised by the fete (both our pre-covid fete in 2019 and the 2023 fete) as well as future fundraising efforts by the fete and other initiatives. Parents will shortly be invited to attend a meeting with Paul Barnett who has been engaged to design and build the outdoor area to find out more and provide feedback.

Our Council is currently calling for nominations. We have five positions available, including four parent representative positions and the position of Secretary is also available.  Nominations open this Friday 16 February and will close at the end of week 5. Nominees are invited to attend our meeting on 26 March where we will elect new Council members. Please fill in the School Community Council Nomination Form or you can contact Lisa or check in at the front office if you would like to nominate. You can also email Chair, Alicia Prest at Alicia.Prest@gmail.com.

We extended our sincere thanks to outgoing Council members Madeline Taylor (Secretary), Katherine O’Sullivan (Parent Representative) and Cecelia Willis (Parent Representative) for their dedication to our Council during their various terms.

Our next meeting is on 26 March, at this meeting we will be setting the date for our next Open Council meeting where all parents / grandparents and friends of the school community are welcome to join us to find out more about the work Council is doing and offer any feedback.

Alicia Prest,

Community Council Chair