SCHOOL ORGANISATIONS

SCHOOL COUNCIL

WHAT IS SCHOOL COUNCIL AND WHAT DOES IT DO?

All government schools in Victoria have a School Council. They are legally formed bodies that are given powers to set the key directions of a school within centrally provided guidelines. In doing this, a school council is able to directly influence the quality of education that the school provides to its students.

WHO IS THE SCHOOL COUNCIL?

There are three possible categories of membership.
A compulsory elected parent category. More than one third of the elected members must be from this category.
A compulsory elected Department of Education and Early Childhood Development employee category. Members of this category may make up no more than one third of the total membership. The Principal of the school is automatically one of these members.
An optional community member category. Its members are co-opted by the decision of the council because of their special skills, interests or experiences.
The term of office for members is two years. Half the members must retire each year and this creates vacancies for the annual school council elections.

WHY IS PARENT MEMBERSHIP SO IMPORTANT?

Parents on school councils provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help shape the direction of the school.
Those parents who become active on a school council find their involvement satisfying in itself and may also find that their children feel a greater sense of belonging.

HOW CAN YOU BECOME INVOLVED?

The most obvious way is to vote in the elections which are held in March each year. However, ballots are only held if more people nominate as candidates than there are positions vacant.

In view of this, you might seriously consider:

DO I NEED SPECIAL EXPERIENCE TO BE ON A SCHOOL COUNCIL?

No!
What you need is an interest in your child's school and the desire to work in partnership with others to help shape the school's future.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO TO STAND FOR ELECTION?

The Principal arranges and conducts the elections.
The Principal will issue a notice of the election and call for nominations in the second half of February or early in March. For parents, this notice will probably be given to your child so you may need to check with them whether it has been sent.
If you decide to stand for election, you will need to arrange for someone to nominate and second you as a candidate in either the parent or Department of Education and Early Childrood Development employee category.
Make sure that it is completed and returned to the Principal within the time stated on the notice of election - seven days from the date the notice is sent.
If there are more nominations received than there are vacancies on council, a ballot will be conducted in the two weeks after the call for nominations has closed.
Ask the Principal for help if you would like to stand for election and are not sure what to do.