Many of you are aware that GPCC launched a new initiative two years ago called the Melos Foundation.  This is an umbrella company that offers support services in the areas of governance, leadership and business management to members of the Foundation.  We currently have 5 members in the Foundation: GPCC, YVCS, Greenacre CC, Yanginanook School and Brewarrina CS, with another joining this month.

The aim of the Melos Foundation is captured by its name. Melos is the Greek word used by the Apostle Paul in his New Testament letters and refers to the ‘body’.  A human body is made up of many parts, all of which are necessary for the body to function well and be healthy. In these days of increasing compliance and complexity, an independent school faces significant challenges in the areas of governance (finding suitably experienced and qualified directors), leadership and business management. By banding together under the Melos Foundation, participating schools receive quality governance from a common group of directors, school principals work together to encourage each other, and business managers get advice and support from each other. 

The Melos Foundation also believes in strong partnerships with parents and so have proposed the idea of the establishment in each member school of a Parent Advisory Group (PAG).  Below are listed the main elements of the terms of reference: 

1. The PAG exists to partner with the school by working with the Principal, providing advice and support to them in their leadership of the school.
2. The PAG holds no authority over the Principal or the School but acts in an advisory and communication capacity only.
3. The focus on the PAG’s work will be in the areas of academics, pastoral care and wellbeing, school improvement and parent participation opportunities.
4. The PAG and the Principal should meet at least once per term.
5. A wide cross-section of parents should be selected if possible, covering the year levels/stages of the school.
6. As the PAG represent the ethos of the school, the office holders must be committed practising Christians able to sign and adhere to the Statement of Faith of the school.
7. Names and contact details of PAG members must be made available to all parents to foster communication with them and following each meeting a summary of the issues raised and any actions taken by the school should be made available to all parents.

 We will officially open for expressions of interest shortly and look forward to enhancing parent participation in our school in this way.

Phillip Nash

Principal