School Council Report

Introduction to School Council Sub-Committee Reports for 2025

The 2025 annual report highlights the work and achievements of Murrumbeena Primary School’s six School Council sub-committees: Finance, Social and Fundraising, Education, Canteen and Uniform, Facilities, and Out of Hours School Care (OSHC). Each sub-committee has played a vital role in supporting the school’s strategic priorities, improving programs, enhancing facilities, and fostering community engagement.

School Council would like to especially acknowledge the contribution of the School Council President Luda Unitt, who has been an active member of School Council for six years, including three years as President. Luda has provided strong leadership and ensured that governance, policy compliance, and strategic oversight remain at the forefront of all Council decisions.

Our President and school council members’ dedication has been instrumental in guiding the school through another successful year of operations and initiatives.

ANNUAL REPORT – EDUCATION SUB COMMITTEE

2025 has been a year of strong achievement and celebration at Murrumbeena Primary School. We began with a clear 2025 Overview, setting the direction for learning and community engagement. Throughout the year, students showcased their talents and learning through key events including Reconciliation Week and our Indigenous Assembly performance in May, the Year 6 Market Day and STEM Exhibition Week in June and July, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Day and Book Week in August, our School Production in September, and the Book Fair in October.

Our NAPLAN results were particularly pleasing, with Year 3 Mathematics achieving the highest results across our network of schools — an outstanding accomplishment for our students and staff. We were also proud to gain approval as a SunSmart member school through the Cancer Council Victoria SunSmart School Program. This recognition strengthens our sun protection practices, supports our OHS obligations in UV risk reduction, and aligns our policy with best practice standards in skin cancer prevention

Looking ahead to 2026, we are focused on strengthening communication, student wellbeing and continuous improvement. Our website will be updated to reflect our various curriculum and wellbeing programs and commitment to the IB .  Our website aims to better showcase leadership and the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program. We will continue to build student cyber safety capacity, with Year 5/6 students undertaking training, a “Think U Know” parent information session delivered by the Australian Federal Police in Term 1 and student incursions to support safe online behaviours.

Our eSafety processes will be strengthened through the MPS eSafety Checklist, which tracks behaviour, frequency and impact to guide consistent responses to online conduct both inside and outside the classroom.

Policy development remains a priority, with updated Asthma, Attendance, Student Dress Code, Photographing/Filming/Recording Students, Sun Protection and 2025 PYP policies (Assessment and Reporting, Language and Academic Honesty). We also look forward to important discussions arising from our upcoming 2026 PYP Evaluation and the Student Representative Council members will be reviewing the Student Attitudes to School Survey data to ensure our strategic planning continues to reflect the voice of our students and community.

Thank you to Fiona Sewell for convening the sub committee and members Fiona Boyer and Maisie Barry for their review and recommendations.

ANNUAL REPORT – FACILITIES SUB COMMITTEEE

In 2025, the Facilities Sub-Committee progressed a range of projects to ensure our buildings and grounds continue to meet the health and safety standards of our school community. Thank you to Chellee Plumb, Oliver Johnson, Bianca Baker-Smith and Adi Raddi for their contributions, and a special acknowledgement to Helen Georgitsopoulos and Ledam Nguyen for coordinating quotes, engaging contractors and overseeing budgets and payments.

Key works completed this year included plastering and painting in the main building and Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden (SAKG) space, a full refresh of the portables to establish a junior learning hub (new carpet, internal and external painting, new pin boards and classroom furniture), installation of shade over the senior playground, sanding and relining of the school hall floor, replacement of an upstairs window in the main building, repairs to underground water leaks, roof and gutter cleaning, rainwater tank cleaning, irrigation for the SAKG garden beds, installation of safety barrier netting behind the junior football goals, construction of a new retaining wall and pathway behind the portables to address water seepage, and installation of two junior netball posts.

Looking ahead to 2026, the committee has identified shading of the basketball court as a priority project. An architect has been appointed to support planning and assist with the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) process. The committee will also investigate additional measures to support the health and safety of students with allergies participating in the SAKG program, including the possible installation of a commercial dishwasher and scheduled deep cleaning. In addition, Murrumbeena Primary School Council will encourage school community members to advocate for state government support and funding for a new full-sized school hall. With a state election this year and increased housing density planned for parts of Murrumbeena, projected growth in enrolments reinforces the importance of ongoing discussions with government to ensure our students continue to learn in well-resourced, high-quality facilities.

ANNUAL REPORT - CANTEEN AND UNIFORM SUB COMMITTEE

Canteen

The canteen has continued to provide a valued service to Murrumbeena families throughout 2025, recording a profit of $6,345.88, a record high. Sue has further improved the organisation and presentation of stock with the purchase of airtight storage baskets for biscuits and packaged items, ensuring products are both visible and well stored. We have continued to employ two staff members, Sue and Amanda, both of whom received a modest salary increase this year. Amanda’s 9 hours per fortnight has been a significant support, particularly on busy Fridays when order volumes are at their highest.

Fridays remain our busiest day, with Wednesdays also requiring volunteer support for sushi collection. Securing volunteers continues to be a challenge, and regular reminders will remain in the newsletter to encourage families to assist, particularly on Tuesdays and Fridays. Special Food Days, coordinated by Sue, were once again very popular, with themed menu items offered for Japanese Day, Harmony Day, Sports Day (Hot Cross Bun and Milo), the Olympics and Halloween. A sincere thank you to Sue Hunt, our Canteen Manager, for her ongoing dedication, organisation and commitment to running such a successful service.

Uniform

Second-hand uniform sales raised $7,209 in 2025, a significant increase from $4,046.83 in 2024. The second-hand uniform stall continues to provide an affordable and sustainable option for families. Thank you to An An and Amanda for their work in this space, and to An An and Daphne who have overseen operations this year following Amanda’s involvement last year.

A recommendation for 2026 is to review our current sports uniform, with consideration given to introducing more SunSmart options, as the existing singlet-style tops (for some interschool sport teams) do not provide ideal sun protection.

School Council sincerely thanks Fiona Boyer for convening the sub-committee, with members Helen Georgitsopoulos and Sue Hunt, for their valuable contributions.

ANNUAL REPORT -  SOCIAL AND FUNDRAISING SUB COMMITTEE

2025 has been an outstanding year for Murrumbeena Primary School’s Social and Fundraising sub committee, with a range of successful fundraising and community-building events. The year’s activities have strengthened school spirit, provided opportunities for families to connect, and supported important programs for students.

The Trivia Night was a major highlight, selling out 22 tables and raising approximately $19,800, with additional support from silent donations and auction contributions. Other key fundraising activities included the Mother’s Day Stall and Catch-Up, Father’s Day Stall and Catch-Up, Easter and Election Day fundraisers, raffles, and community snack fundraisers. Collectively, these initiatives contributed to an estimated fundraising total of $17,300, with additional profits from Trivia Night and raffles.

The Social and Fundraising Committee also successfully delivered a variety of social events for the school community. The Disco Party on 6 November followed the theme “Welcome to the Jungle,” with separate sessions for junior and senior students, efficient drop-off and pick-up arrangements, and BYO water bottle tables organised by grade. Planning for the 2027 Carnival is underway, including ride quotes, discussion of hiring an MC, and establishing dedicated Carnival lead roles with year-level coordinators. The Colour Run, originally scheduled for 2025, has been moved to Term 2 2026, with fundraising to start early in the year.

Looking ahead to 2026, the committee recommends continuing the successful calendar of events, exploring a mini Trivia Night to preserve sponsors for the 2027 Carnival, increasing volunteer engagement across events, and refining logistics to maximise participation and enjoyment. The dedication of committee members: David Funston, Deborah Nhuch, Katrina Beer and Kelly Tuck has been central to these achievements, providing invaluable support to both the school community and student experiences.

2025 Social and Fundraising Event Summary

ANNUAL REPORT – FINANCE

In 2025, despite rising costs of living and tightening education funding policies, Murrumbeena Primary School maintained a strong financial position, thanks to strategic financial planning and a conservative approach to expenditure by the administrative team and School Council. The School Savings Bonus (SSB) provided meaningful support to families during these challenging times.

The school completed a successful financial audit in Term 4, and the Annual Update to the Plan audit was also finalised satisfactorily. As at 31 December 2025, the school held healthy net assets placing it in a strong position to enter 2026 and beyond. The Finance Sub-Committee acknowledges the exceptional contributions of Business Manager Helen Georgitsopoulos for her rigorous business management, and Principal Rochelle Plumb for her strategic leadership across fundraising, asset management, policy implementation, and financial decision-making.

Budget projections for 2026 remain focused on sustainable cost management. While fundraising expectations have been conservatively set, increased allocations have been made across programs to address rising operational costs and maintain high-quality educational offerings. It is important to acknowledge that Parent Voluntary Contributions play a critical role in enabling the school to deliver curriculum programs, facility upgrades, and grounds improvements, as detailed in the Facilities Annual Report. Without these contributions, programs such as the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden (SAKG) and enhancements to school buildings and grounds would not be possible. Parent Voluntary Contributions remain at the same level for 2026, and their ongoing support continues to be essential for sustaining the programs and facilities our students benefit from.

The 2025 School Council acknowledges and thanks parents Nimit Aggarwal and Jenks Guo who worked with Business Manager, the principal and Oliver Johnson to provide their expert oversight of the school’s financial governance. Meetings were held on schedule, with high-quality reporting, and the committee recommends a similar composition for 2026 given the workload and the importance of rigorous financial oversight.

Recommendations for 2026

1. Policies and Funds Management – Continue review of education funding policies and government subsidies.
2. School Savings Bonus Administration – With the discontinuation of the SSB and no replacement funding announced for 2026, it will be important to monitor its impact on the school budget and parent contributions.
3. COLA Shade Project – Maintain close oversight of contracts, timelines, and regulatory compliance. Regular reporting and tight contractor collaboration will be essential to deliver the project within budget.
4. Building and Infrastructure Maintenance – Continue to implement the school’s 5 year maintenance Plan to address aging facilities and equipment approaching end-of-life.
5. Student ICT Device Management – Plan for ~$40–45 k per year for device replacement from 2027 onward, considering DET policies affecting BYOD programs

Entering 2026, Murrumbeena Primary School is in an excellent financial position. Strong cash reserves and net assets provide the capacity to deliver the COLA project, invest in facilities, and continue providing high-quality programs for students. These strong results reflect careful leadership, the dedication of our Business Manager, and the generosity of the school community through fundraising and contributions. The Finance Sub-Committee proudly presents this report to the school community.

ANNUAL REPORT – OUT OF HOURS SCHOOL CARE

In 2025, Murrumbeena Primary School’s OSHC program continued to grow and provide high-quality care and enrichment for students before, after, and during school holidays. Enrolments increased throughout the year, particularly on Mondays, with up to 79 students attending on peak days. The holiday program proved popular, including participation from students outside the school community, and excursion days such as movie trips, drama activities, and Ninja Warrior experiences were well received. The program’s 2IC settled in successfully, contributing to smooth operations and strong engagement with students, including those requiring additional support.

A key focus for the year was oversight and governance of the OSHC program, including the Expression of Interest (EOI) process to review service providers, resulting in the continuation of TheirCare as the contracted provider. This process involved careful assessment to ensure the highest quality of service for students, compliance with OHS requirements and the National Quality Framework. Operational enhancements included improved communication with the cleaning service to maintain allergy-safe eating areas, careful management of hall and office spaces during school maintenance projects, and the implementation of robust safety and security procedures for excursions and program areas. The latest parent satisfaction survey achieved 100% satisfaction, reflecting strong approval of program quality and management.

Financially, the OSHC program remained sustainable, with fee adjustments of 4.4%, reflecting federal recommendations, industry award increases, inflation adjustments, and superannuation updates. Fundraising initiatives, including the Election Day Sausage Sizzle, contributed additional revenue, raising $3,000 to support school programs.

School Council would like to sincerely thank the TheirCare Supervisor (Jacque) and Area Manager (Nadia), as well as committee members (Paula Bain and Deborah Nhuch) for their dedication in reviewing the service and providing valuable recommendations for continuous improvement.

Recommendations for 2026

1. Promotion and Enrolment – Continue using pupil-free days, holiday programs, and transition mornings to showcase OSHC and attract new families. Consider targeted advertising to nearby schools to increase enrolments during holiday programs.
2. Program Development – Maintain high-quality excursions, enrichment activities, and themed events to engage students. Explore further opportunities for Indigenous and sustainability-focused programs in partnership with the school.
3. Operational Oversight – Implement clear processes for cleaning, equipment storage, and allergy-safe food handling. Ensure lessons learned from 2025 maintenance projects are applied to minimize disruption.
4. Governance and Provider Review – Establish a clear framework for evaluating service providers, potentially via a dedicated sub-committee or extraordinary meetings to review proposals and ensure the program meets the school’s strategic and educational objectives.

Overall, 2025 was a year of growth, quality assurance, and strategic oversight for the OSHC program. The program continues to provide a safe, engaging, and supportive environment for students, and it is well-positioned for continued success in 2026.