School seeks ruling to balance its numbers Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au CO-ED school Peninsula Grammar is seeking an exemption from the Equal Opportunity Act to allow it to “better manage” gender numbers in its classes. Principal Stuart Johnston told the school’s alumni that the exemption would allow it to structure waiting and enrolment lists, allocate placements, and advertise or offer scholarships to either boys or girls depending on the genders it needed to balance numbers. The Mt Eliza school, which has 41 per cent girls and 59 per cent boys after becoming fully co-educational in
1996, is seeking to extend the exemption granted by VCAT in 2013 for a further five-year term. Mr Johnston said that, under the terms of the act, students were admitted in order of application, but this tended to skew numbers and upset the equal balance of boys and girls. “We strongly believe it is in the best interests of both our male and female students alike, both educationally and socially, for our student body to comprise an equivalent number of boys and girls in each year level,” he said. “The exemption would permit the school to continue to take positive action to even out our boy to girl ratios, thus enhancing the benefits of a fully
coeducational learning environment.” Mr Johnston, who has been principal for the past nine years, said classes up to Year 9 were affected by a gender imbalance. “The perception of the community is that the numbers of boys and girls are equal. By having the exemption we can better manage that expectation,” he said. Other co-ed schools affected by an imbalance would likely also seek exemptions under the act, he said. “We believe in choice and also that co-education works well, with students of co-ed schools doing better.” The tribunal will hear the exemption application on 16 July.
THE “proudly co-educational” Peninsula Grammar School needs more girls to balance its student numbers.
Tradies warned: ‘watch out for thieves’ Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au A “MASSIVE increase” in the theft of power tools on the southern peninsula is worrying police. They say thieves are targeting tradies’ vehicles and trailers in Mt Eliza, Mornington, Mt Martha, Somerville, Safety Beach and Dromana during the day and overnight. “After hours, tradies should keep their tools out of sight in a locked garage if possible,” Detective Acting Sergeant Robert Vine said. “If this is not an option they should park in a well-lit area and make sure
their tools are locked up.” Tradies are advised to also lock their vehicles when parked outside a job as it is less likely thieves will use force to gain entry during the day. Overnight, offenders are cutting locks on trailers and forcing canopy locks and cutting or forcing tonneau covers. Police concerns for tradies was underscored on Friday morning when a thief attempted to steal a tradie’s van while its owner was in a nearby cafe. The tradie had left his van with the motor running in a Diane Street, Mornington, car park when the would-be thief saw his opportunity. However the theft was foiled when
the tradie, 25, sprinted out of the café when he saw his van being driven off. The thief fell out of the door into the gutter and into the arms of the angry tradie. The van stopped rolling when it hit several parked vars. A Carrum Downs man has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle and will appear in Frankston Magistrates Court on 13 September. “Before tradies think what a pain it is to have to lock the car constantly, they should think, ‘Would I still be able to work without my tools?,’” Detective Vine said. “Tradies should realise that if they are offered cheap tools they have
Gray’s Auctions. Second-hand dealers cannot display goods for sale within a week of receiving them. “If you see your items for sale please notify police as soon as possible and do not notify the seller,” Detective Acting Sergeant Robert Vine said. “Please help us help you.” Anyone with information on thefts, or who sees anything, anyone or any vehicle they think is suspicious, is urged to call police or Detective Acting Sergeant Robert Vine at the Mornington Peninsula Crime Unit, 5978 1400, or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
most likely been stolen – and they may well know who from. So, please, let police know.” Tradies should mark their tools by engraving them or permanently marking them with their names and drivers’ licence numbers. This makes it harder for thieves to offload them – and, hopefully, generate a greater return rate of stolen tools. The tools, batteries and chargers should all be marked. Owners of stolen power tools should actively look for them at second-hand dealers at least seven days after they have been stolen, as well as on eBay, Gumtree, Facebook buy, swap and sell sites, and at others like
Choose your way to retire With four different ways to buy at Fiddlers Green
01
02
03
04
Prepaid Plan
Refundable Contribution
Deferred Management Fee
Pay As You Go
Relax into retirement with a sense of comfort.
Enjoy your retirement with optimum security.
Make the most of your retirement now.
(at selected Serviced Apartments)
Live the Serviced Apartment lifestyle with the freedom to change your mind.
FIND OUT MORE AT OUR NEXT TEA AND TOUR, THURSDAY 10.30AM. CALL 1800 550 550 OR VISIT CHOOSEYOURWAY.COM.AU
FIDDLERS GREEN | 57 GLOUCESTER AVE, BERWICK Lendlease proudly operates under the Retirement Villages Act. Full details are available in the residence contract. These options are available now, subject to availability. However, Lendlease reserves the right to amend or discontinue these offers at any time, without notice. Published by Lendlease RL Realty (VIC) Pty Ltd ABN 55 124 646 484
Frankston Times
11 June 2018
PAGE 9