School Council

School Council establishes and maintains the broad direction and vision of the College within the college community.  School Council develops and monitors the strategic plan, develops and updates policy, approves budgets and expenditure, maintains the grounds and facilities, enters into contracts (including canteen and cleaning), reports annually to the college community, and helps to raise the profile of the College within the community.  The election for Parent Representatives to School Council is held every year in term 1 with elected representatives serving for a 2 year term.

Each School Council member is on a sub-committee or portfolio group including Finance, Policy, Profile and Communications, Buildings and Grounds and Support Groups. Special groups are formed when needed, and strategic planning happens every four years.

If you have skills or knowledge you would like to offer to School Council, please get in touch by emailing School Council President, Beth Mellick on bethmellick@gmail.com

School Council, 2021

SCHOOL COUNCIL NOMINEE STATEMENTS (A-Z) post up 1/3/21 12.30

Nick Byrne

I am interested in supporting the future of Castlemaine Secondary College (CSC) through involvement on the School Council. I am most interested in the link between educational aspiration and future career paths for young people.

I am keen to increase my engagement with CSC through the School Council to better understand the work in facilitating educational outcomes for young people. I would be well placed to assist in policy development and implementation for the future.

My own work has a national reach and is often focussed on economic development and strategic planning for regions. The demand for a skilled and educated workforce remains a significant barrier for many businesses, industries and governments within regional locations throughout Australia.

I am keen to have more active involvement at the School Council level to build on the momentum of renewal and improvements that have been achieved in recent years at the CSC.

Bronwyn Fischer

Hello my name is Bronwyn Fischer, my daughter is currently studying year 9 in the Steiner stream. I believe I could bring a fresh and unbiased outlook into the school council board with only the children’s best interests in mind. I currently work at our local bacon factory but have had previous experience working in state government with community grants so I have a great understanding of the policies and procedures involved if the need arises.

My life is all about providing the best opportunities for my daughter and preparing her for her future. I believe that as a parent, we have to set examples to our children as future leaders. And our relationship with our children is a key factor to how they will mature into kind, caring, respectful and responsible adults.

If I were to be elected onto the school council board I would be excited to talk to and listen to the concerns of all my peers. I have no time or interest in social politics but try to keep up with what’s happening in our local community. This position has become very important to me so I can have more involvement and input into our children’s education. I want to see our children given every possible opportunity to excel in their individual ways and see this as the best avenue to contribute. If elected I would make myself available to listen to any concerns of all other parents and try to represent with an unbiased attitude.

In closing, please vote for myself, Bronwyn Fischer in the upcoming election for school council parent representative. Thank you all for taking the time to read my entry.

Alison Maclaren

Hello, my name is Alison Maclaren. My daughter Scarlette has just commenced at CSC and I would very much like the opportunity to give my skills and experience to the school. I am a Chartered Accountant and governance and risk management specialist with many years of experience in the audit field including the audit of schools on behalf of the Victorian Government. I am a big believer in public education and am very proud of our local high school and the place it occupies in our local community. CSC has grown and improved in leaps and bounds these last few years and I’d be honoured to contribute to its future success.

Elizabeth Mellick (Beth)

I have been on the CSC School Council since 2013 and the School Council President for the last 6 years. I have had three children at CSC – one graduated and is at university, one is in Year 12 and one in Year 10. I am passionate about public education and particularly devoted to CSC. Some of my key achievements include: working on two Strategic Plans; lobbying for the building of the new school; setting up and supporting our Parent Support Groups; developing a communications plan and new website; hiring the Principal; building an Environment Policy and other sustainability initiatives; being the Acting Treasurer for a year; as well as ensuring good governance on Council. I participate in fundraising activities, advocacy, working bees and forums. I currently sit on the Finance Committee, the Buildings and Grounds committee, and the Drama, Art and Music Support Groups. I work full time as the Executive Director of an environmental philanthropic trust, having an office in Castlemaine so I am available for School Council duties whenever required. It has been my great privilege to be on the CSC School Council and wish to nominate again, in order to continue my work for staff, students, parents, carers and the wider school community.

Jodi Oakman

I have nominated for school council as I am a strong advocate for high quality public education and would like to contribute to the school community. It is an exciting time for the school, new buildings and increasing numbers. My son, William Haslam (Year 8) is at the beginning of his secondary schooling.

I am currently an academic at La Trobe University in a teaching and research role, which gives me insights into the education sector beyond secondary school. I have worked in many sectors with several career changes, this has meant a few return trips to University to support these changes. I began my working life as a physiotherapist and left Melbourne to take a graduate job in Bendigo. I left the area to travel and work overseas, and twenty years later returned to live in Fryerstown, with our then baby son.

I am an active member of my local community. I am currently on the committee for the Fryerstown School and have spent many summers volunteering at the Chewton Pool. I have found volunteering to be very important in small regional communities and it has provided me with much satisfaction and enabled me to meet many people and make great friendships.

I consider my broad experience will enable me to make a strong contribution to the school council. Thank you for taking the time to consider my nomination, the school council is an important part of ensuring we have a high quality and vibrant secondary school.

Rachael Cooper

Hi, my name is Rachael. I’ve recently finished studying an early childhood/primary teaching degree after 7 years (!) and finally have a bit more space to dedicate to worthy purposes like putting time and energy into CSC where my daughter has just started.

We moved to this area almost 20 years ago and I love this local community. I’ve seen a lot of changes in this time and I am excited about the direction CSC is moving in.

Some people might know me from Castlemaine Kindergarten (Berkeley Street) and Harcourt Preschool where I have been working in recent years, Winters Flat Primary School where my daughter attended or from the local family music classes I run.

I am passionate about children having agency in their learning, the development of confidence and self-expression, inclusive education, encouraging kindness, creativity and working towards environmentally sustainable practices.

If elected I will contribute to the school council by helping to promote a positive, inclusive, school culture.

I am really looking forward to being involved with CSC over the coming years and getting to know more of the families associated with the school.

Thank you, and good luck to all the other candidates.

 

Name	Term	Membership Category	Portfolio/Support Group
Beth Mellick President	2020	Community/Co-Opted Member	Buildings and Grounds (chair) Finance Buildings and Grounds Profile & Communications Support groups
Jess Howard	2020+2021	Parent Member
Paul Frye Executive Officer	2020	Principal DET Representative	Finance
Marcus Bennett	2020+2021	Parent Member
Dean Bridgfoot	2019+2020	Parent Member	Treasurer Policy
Justin Hird	2020	Assistant Principal In attendance	Policy (chair) Child Safety (chair)
Paula Jenkins	2020+2021	DET Representative	Profile & Communications
Justin Marshall	2019+2020	DET Representative	TBC
Brona Murray	2019+2020	Parent Member	Policy
Elissa O’Connor	2020	Business Manager In attendance	Finance Profile & Communications Buildings and Grounds
Paul O’Connor	2020+2021	Parent Member	Buildings and Grounds Sport Support Group
Angela Sutton	2019+2020	DET Representative	Policy
Liz Grainer	2020	Parent Member
Michael Penrose	2020	Student Member
Christian Venjar	2020	Student Member

Get involved at CSC