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Born to teach: Mount Eliza Primary School’s new principal Kim Wheeler is a graduate of life as well as education. Picture: Supplied
Bringing life’s lessons to school’s top job MOUNT ELIZA Primary School’s new principal Kim Wheeler has had more than her share of interesting and life-changing experiences. She’s been a senior educator at various schools, a scholarship-winning classical musician, professional singer who has entertained in Europe and the UK and was chair of Mathematics at the American Overseas School of Rome. Ms Wheeler and her Italian husband have three children, As a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts (University of Melbourne), Ms Wheeler for many years had a dual career as both a teacher and professional singer. In 1995, she was awarded a place to study classical singing in Rome. Highlights of her career include performing as soprano soloist in Mozart’s Requiem with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House and recording as the soprano soloist on the Academy Award nominated soundtrack for the film, Elizabeth. While in Italy, Ms Wheeler says study tours to Reggio Emilia left an indelible impression on her and “inspired the child-centred lens through which she approaches education”. Mount Eliza Primary School council’s presi-
dent Dean Charge said Ms Wheeler returned to Australia in 2012 with a focus on community, a love of languages and fine food, and an understanding of what it means to be a global citizen. She holds a Master in School Leadership and has completed the Advanced Leadership Program through Women and Leadership Australia. Previously head of campus at Firbank Grammar, Brighton, Ms Wheeler led the junior school and Long Day Early Learning Centre. Before that she taught at Mount Eliza North Primary and Toorak College. Mr Charge said Ms Wheeler’s family live on the Mornington Peninsula, making her even more excited to be leading Mt Eliza Primary School which “aligns to her values of high expectations and exceptional learning”. “Kim brings 25 years’ experience in the education sector in international, independent and government schools,” he said. “It has been a momentous start, with the area in stage four lockdown and the challenge of running a school virtually. “Kim has spent the past few weeks getting to know students, staff and families online and has shared her passions for learning, reading, music and cooking with the community.” Stephen Taylor
Shire starts search for pool inspectors MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire is recruiting staff to be trained as swimming pool and spa safety inspectors to cope with greater demand under stricter state government safety rules. On current numbers – and as the November compliance deadline approaches – there are not enough inspectors. The government introduced new regulations last December to make swimming pools and spas safer and prevent young children from drowning. Shire municipal building surveyor David Kotsiakos said: “We are currently recruiting suitably qualified staff to ensure we will be able to meet our statutory requirements under the legislation. “On current numbers, we believe [we] will have insufficient inspectors to cope with the number of inspections required, however the Victorian Building Authority is developing a course specifically for pool safety barriers to increase the number of inspectors in the marketplace.” The peninsula has a “known” 17,000 pools and spas – reportedly the second most of any municipality in Australia, behind one Sydney suburb. More than a third of pools are estimated to have been built before June 1994 and these have
to be inspected within 12 months. Pool and spa owners have until Sunday 1 November to register with the council for a one-off fee of $79 or they could cop a $330 infringement notice. Once registered pool owners will be contacted by the shire and advised how they can organise an inspection of their safety barrier by a registered practitioner and how a compliance certificate can be lodged. Owners must have a registered building surveyor or inspector certify the continuing compliance of their safety barrier every four years. Drowning is the most common cause of preventable death for young children and in Victoria most fatal drownings of young children occur in backyard swimming pools. Over the past 20 years in Victoria, 27 children under five have drowned – mostly in private pools and spas. The state coroner found that in at least 20 of these cases the safety barrier was non-compliant, and that this was likely to have played a role in their deaths. Due to the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) the deadline for registration was extended by five months from June to acknowledge the extra pressure on families and the increased workload on councils. Stephen Taylor
BELINDA
RODMAN MORNINGTON PENINSULA SHIRE COUNCIL
BRIARS WARD For Sensible and Sustainable Action www.belindarodman.com.au www.facebook.com/BelindaRodman2020 How to Vote 1 RODMAN, Belinda and vote onto Council those who will best serve our community. O'CONNOR, Despi STREET, Janet ORTON, Peter McCARTHY, Julia MARSH, Anthony HINTON, Wayne BATTY, Stephen FITZGERALD, Peter MULLETT TRELOAR, Dion O'REILLY, Barbara WARD, Andrew RODMAN, Belinda STANSZUS, Jill HOLLAND, Steve RANKEN, Bruce
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Authorised by B.Rodman P.O. BOX 1185 Kunyung VIC 3930 Mornington News
6 October 2020
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