FROM THE SCHOOL COUNCIL PRESIDENT

It will be my last School Council meeting on Monday 16^th December 2019 after being on School Council since 2010 and being President for five years. In this time, I have watched the school grow in so many important ways from building significant links with the broader community, to embracing diversity, and maintaining a willingness to support programs that best meet the needs of students.  

We were the first local school to introduce the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, which has provided so many hours of joy to children, parents/carers, staff and volunteers. This program provides such a unique opportunity for students to learn about food, where it comes from, and rituals around eating, while also building literacy and numeracy skills. I was fortunate to be part of the successful Resource Smart program and the attainment of 5 stars, another achievement that put our school on the map and saw it lead the way in sustainability.

There have also been numerous wellbeing initiatives, including Respectful Relationships, training staff in the Berry Street Education Model, and employing a wellbeing staff member under the Chaplaincy program. We have been very fortunate to have Kim Collins in this role.

It is not just these big achievements that have marked my time at Winters Flat but all the little things too. These include seeing children participate in assemblies,  have our school bake the traditional ANZACS for the RSL, watching the efforts of everyone at the yearly cross country, being part of teams organising fundraising events, participating in school camps where students are challenged to try activities that they have not done before, walking into a classroom and being witness to all students dancing with a smile on their face, reading with the Preps, and taking an enthusiastic group of students to the MCG to watch the football with a committed group of teachers and the Principal.

Throughout my time at Winters Flat, there have been changes in Principals, staff, and buildings but through all these changes, the school has maintained a solid commitment to ensuring that all children and families feel welcome and included. Like most organisations, there have also been some challenging times. While these times have tested us all, I have also seen a resilience that I trust will help to ensure this Primary School continues to grow and ensure that children uphold the core values of caring for self, others and the environment.

As I farewell the school, I would like to say thank you to all the dedicated Principals with whom I have worked, the most recent being Suzanne who will continue to lead the school to be the best that it can be. I know that she works tirelessly to this end. I would also like to thank all the staff who have supported our children. They really do go above and beyond. Thanks also to the administrative staff who do so much work behind the scenes and of course to all the members of School Council and other volunteers who play such a critical role in supporting the school. It has been a real privilege to represent Winters Flat Primary School on School Council, and I leave filled with confidence that you will continue to be the vibrant school that is Winters Flat.

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Katie Wilson

School Council President