Community
There is a close collaboration between the College and rural primary schools through the Dunmunkle Cluster where we network, resource share, and support an extensive transition program.
Our Parents
One of the most important aspects of a healthy school community is our parents. We have an open-door policy for all parents and welcome and nurture parent feedback, parent help, parent involvement and parent support.
Our Students
Our students are the core and backbone of a healthy school community. We offer as many educational, social and sporting opportunities as possible – as well as opportunities for students to be involved in the running of school events and initiatives. Our students are taught the importance of community and build a deep sense of connection through various intiatives such as:
- Student projects that link in with local service projects and clubs
- Generation Exchange – 9/10 Elective offered where students work with Dunmunkle Lodge to foster relationships with elders within the community
- Duke of Edinburgh Advance program – Voluntary Service, Skill, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journey.
- Shared use of community and school resources
- Staff involvement in Sporting and Community organisations such as the local show and Big Weekend, Minyip-Murtoa FNC and Rupanyup FNC.
Getting Involved
We plan school activities to enable as many parents to be involved as possible. For example, our twilight swimming carnival is from 2-7pm and the venue for our athletics carnival is Dudley Cornell Park in Horsham to enable working parents to drop in during the day. Check our calendar on the home page for carnival dates.
Primary Parents and Friends
We have an active Primary Parents and Friends Committee. We welcome new parents and their ideas and enthusiasm to our committee. Please contact Nicole Noonan, F-6 Leading Teacher if you’d like to become involved.
Camps and Excursions
There are many sports excursions that we love parents to be involved in. See our Weekly Newsletter for these opportunities. The major excursions also provide opportunities for parent involvement. See our calendar for excursion dates for the following groups:
- Year 3/4 camp – Sovereign Hill
- Year 5/6 camp – Robe
- Year 7 camp – Roses Gap
- Year 8 camp – Adelaide
- Year 9
- Bogong Ski Camp / Canberra Camp
- Outdoor Education camps (9&10)
- Duke of Edinburgh – Advance camps
- Year 10 – Melbourne Camp
- VCE
- Outdoor and Environmental Studies camps
School Canteen
Our school canteen is always on the lookout for more volunteers to go on the roster. We’d love to see some dads get involved! Please contact the office to put your name on the roster.
MATES Mentoring
We are always on the lookout for MATES volunteers. Our MATES program is run by Jan Dunlop. It asks for a fortnightly commitment of about an hour, initially in school time, for the whole year. MATES mentors meet regularly with students who need an adult friend to provide a bit of one-on-one time. We provide training at the school.
School Council
Our School Council meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 5.30pm. Meetings generally finish by 7.30pm. This is a more formal role but the only skill needed is a genuine interest in the school. A wide range of topics are usually discussed and we are looking for parents who feel they can present opinions on behalf of the parent body. School Council elections are held in February each year, but casual vacancies often arise.
Other Community Involvement
Our students and our school are also very involved in the local community. Below is a list of just some of the community activities that Murtoa College is part of:
– Murtoa Big Weekend
– Art Show
– Murtoa and Rupanyup Shows
– ANZAC Day
– Meals on Wheels
– Community Garden Maintenance
– Lions Youth of the Year