School Council

School Council Members

Steph Viljoen

President / Finance / Facilities & Management

“If you want to touch the past, touch a rock.  If you want to touch the present, touch a flower.  If you want to touch the future, touch a life.” – Author Unknown

This has always been my motto in life and by helping my school committee I hope to make that difference.”

Lauren Sammartino

Vice President / Community Engagement

“The NLPS community is an important part of my children’s life and I look forward to giving back to the wonderful school community through my involvement on the school council.”

Jo Sutton

Secretary / Community Engagement / Education

“I love supporting the NLPS team behind the scenes in order to enrich our beautiful school community.”

Leah Campbell

Treasurer / Finance

“I strongly believe that schools and their structure are so important to our developing children. I have had the privilege of assisting the Finance sub-Committee with its budgeting and strategy decisions for the past 2 years, leveraging my experience and qualifications as a Chartered Accountant, and look forward to doing so again in 2023.”

Martin Foster

Facilities & Management

Martin is not a formal member of Council this year. He is a parent who gives his time, experience and expertise to chair the Facilities and Management sub-commitee.

Veronica Barbetta

Facilities & Management

“I am really looking to supporting the school community through school council. NLPS has a wonderful spirit which I am excited to contribute to.”

 

Murray Hall

Facilities & Management

“Parental engagement can help turn a school into a community. I’ve already felt the benefits of this at NLPS and feel compelled (and excited) to do my bit to make the NLPS community even stronger for the benefit of our kids and their families.”

Kristy Clucas

Community Engagement

“I look forward to helping shape an inclusive community environment that supports our children during their early school years. As I believe that it takes a village to raise a child and our school plays an important role within that village.”

Kim Gilson

Community Engagement

“As a senior clinical psychologist, I am passionate about children’s mental health and how our community at NLPS can promote this. I am excited to be working with the school council on looking at how children can thrive in their school journey.”

Being a member of Newport Lakes School Council is a rewarding way to be involved with the school and the community.

The NLPS Council is made up of parents and staff and meets twice per term. Elections are held at the start of each year and each sitting member serves a term of two years.

Our School Council plays a key role at NLPS, supporting our principal to provide the best possible educational outcomes for the students. All Government schools in Victoria have a school council, which is a legal entity, responsible for:

    • Establishing the broad direction and vision of the school within the school’s community
    • Participating in the development and monitoring of the school strategic plan
    • Approving the annual budget and monitoring expenditure
    • Developing, reviewing and updating school policies
    • Raising funds for school-related purposes
    • Maintaining the school’s grounds and facilities
    • Reporting annually to the school community and to the Department
    • Creating interest in the school in the wider community
    • Informing itself of and taking into account the views of the community
    • Coordinating and assisting with the major community events and activities
    • Regulating and facilitating the after-hours use of school premises and grounds 

School council do not manage the day to day running of the school – that job is reserved for the school principal!

Each member of the school council is expected to be an active member of a Sub-committee. There is also an option for members of the wider school community who may have relevant skills or experience to join the sub-committees.

These Sub-committees are:

    • Finance (School Budgets, Locally Raised Funds)
    • Education (Education Policy)
    • Facilities & Management (Buildings & Grounds, Out of School Hours Care, Hire Agreements)
    • Community Engagement (Uniforms, Events, Parent Clubs, Fund Raising)