School Council Report

The School Council has met twice since the last report – on 7 November and 5 December. An Extraordinary General Meeting was also held on 5 December to consider amendments to the Council constitution. The School Council comprises representatives of the School Executive, teachers, parents, students and the broader school community.

In November, Council discussed the school’s finances, focusing on funds available to undertake refurbishment projects around the school. Funding comes from the Department, the school, the Fort St Foundation and the P&C, with parents and alumni as contributors through the Foundation’s Building Fund and the P&C. A number of projects have been completed, including external art works, landscaping and seating, and painting and recarpeting. Other projects planned over the next year include upgrading the library, the toilets and bathrooms under the gym, the food tech facilities and the school hall, and creating a robotics classroom.

The Principal reported on progress in filling school vacancies, the HSC currently underway, SRC elections, the Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh program, and the review of Confucius classrooms. Students advised that a number of students will take part in the climate change protest at the end of the month.

In December, updates on the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) survey and the 2019 school budget were received. A more detailed breakdown from the TTFM survey will be provided to the Council’s February 2019 meeting. The Principal’s report included information on the Remembrance Day and SRC Induction Assembly, and student involvement in debating and the Schools Spectacular. A large number of Fort St students were involved in the climate change protest.

The Extraordinary General Meeting held on 5 December considered a range of changes to bring the School Council constitution up-to-date with current Departmental policies and emphases. The constitution was previously updated in 2008. Teachers, students, parents, Fortians and community members attended the meeting. Following a brief presentation outlining the changes, the meeting voted to accept the amendments in full. A copy of the revised constitution will be on the school website shortly.

At all Council meetings, members are advised of some of the many successes of Fort St students. Council also receives reports from the School Principal, P&C, students, the Fortians Union and the Fort Street Foundation.

The next School Council meeting will take place in February 2019.

Dr Kathy Esson – Chair