The Governing Council meets twice each term with a talented team of people who are focussed on making the school a more positive place for our children and the staff who work with them. 

Each meeting we hear reports from the Principal, Tyler Hogan, staff, students and representatives from various sub-committees of Council, including Agriculture, Grounds, Canteen, Finance and Fundraising. Finance reports are expertly prepared by Sue Foulis which makes monitoring the finances of the school a very easy but necessary part of the meeting. 

Highlights of our meetings include hearing how the student leaders have been focussed on engaging their fellow students in projects and sporting activities to keep them busy at lunchtimes. We have been thrilled to hear that the Poultry Club is very well attended by students and now has more members than the Minecraft Club! 

There are many ways that staff are working with the students in interesting but important work to make learning less of a chore and more of an engaging experience. The staff are committed to helping students learn through experiences and practical projects far more than in the past.  Thank you to the staff for their hard work, it is not easy to develop such excellent curriculum. 

One issue that constantly arises for the Council is the Canteen.  This is a valuable service that our school operates, and we help with providing food to students at other schools.  However, the finances of the canteen are very tight.  We are all feeling the pressures of the current economic situation with the cost of foods and drinks constantly increasing.  Wages and equipment are also factors that we need to cover through the sales in the Canteen.  We understand that people are needing to work longer hours and there is less money to go around.  However, our Canteen needs support.  If you can volunteer, even on one day a term, it will help to reduce waiting times for the students, some of whom are waiting for extended periods of time to get served.  Donations of goods to be sold would also be appreciated.  Perhaps contacting the Canteen staff to ask if there are any ingredients you might be able to donate.  If we all contribute a little, it will have a significant impact on the Canteen. 

We are fortunate enough to have a great school, with excellent staff and facilities (even if the buildings are aging a bit!).  It is a pleasure to be a part of School Council and I would encourage people to consider being a part of the team.  Although the Council does not have input into staffing, curriculum or the day to day running of the school, we are always looking for positive suggestions on how we can improve the school and its facilities, how we can raise money for projects and ideas for school improvement.  Feel free to contact me or one of the other Council members through the school. 

Andrew Hughes - Governing Council Chairperson.