Principal's Item 

Dear parents, carers and friends of EEPS,

Thank you to the Eltham East community for the lovely welcome. Over the last few days, I have been visiting all the classrooms and introducing myself. The students are very settled and enjoying being back at school, how quickly they learn the routines again!

Construction of the ramps continue this week. The work includes preparation for the concrete pour, this will take a few days with weather permitting. We anticipate a concrete pour towards the end of next week. When details are finalised, we will share them with the community as many concrete trucks will be required to complete the job. Our main goal during this time is the safety of our community.

Notice of election and call for nominations for our school council will begin today. An election is to be conducted for members of the school council. Nomination forms may be obtained from the school office from Tuesday 20th February and must be lodged by 4.00pm on Wednesday 28th February 2024. The ballot will close at 4.00pm on Tuesday 12th March 2024.

Following the closing of nominations, a list of the nominations received will be posted at the school. The terms of office, membership categories and number of positions in each membership category open for election are as follows:

If the number of nominations is less than the vacancies, a notice to that effect and calling for further nominations will be posted in a prominent position at the school.

School Council Elections – Information for Parents 2024

Our timeline:

Notice of election and call for nominations: Tuesday 20th February 

Closing date for nominations: Wednesday 28th February  

Nominations displayed at Office by: Thursday 29th February

Prepare ballot papers (if necessary): Wednesday 6th March

Close of ballot: Tuesday 12th March 

Vote count: Tuesday 12th March

Declaration of ballot: Tuesday 12th March

First council meeting: Tuesday 19th March

What is a 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 for its students.

Who is on the school council?

There are three possible categories of membership:

• A mandated elected Parent category. More than one third of the total members must be from this category. Department of Education (DE) employees can be Parent members at their child’s school as long as they are not employed at the school.
• A mandated elected DE employee category. Members of this category may make up no more than one third of the total membership of school council. The principal of the school is automatically one of these members.
• An optional Community member category. Its members are appointed by a decision of the council because of their special skills, interests or experiences. DE employees are not eligible to be Community members.

The term of office for all members is two years. Half the members must retire each year, creating 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 Term 1 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 standing for election as a member of the school council or encouraging another person to stand for election.

Do I need special experience to be on school council?

No. What you do 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 will issue a notice and call for nominations following the commencement of Term 1 each year. All school council elections must be completed by the end of March. 

If you decide to stand for election, you can arrange for someone to nominate you as a candidate or you can nominate yourself in the Parent category.

DE employees whose child is enrolled in a school in which they are not employed are eligible to nominate as parents for the school council where their child is enrolled. 

Once the nomination form is completed, return it to the principal within the time stated on the notice of election. You will receive a Nomination Form Receipt email following the receipt of your completed nomination.

If there are more nominations received than there are vacancies on council, a ballot will be conducted during the two weeks after the call for nominations has closed.

Remember

Ask at the school office for help if you would like to nominate for School Council and are not sure what to do. Consider nominating for election to council this year. Be sure to vote in the elections, if necessary.

Contact Eltham East PS for further information.

Doreen Montgomery

Acting Principal