Partnership and Participation: School Council

Community Engagement

Participation is the hallmark of a vibrant and engaged school community

There is compelling evidence that an involved, participative and dynamic school community results in better educational outcomes for our children and school.

There are many ways to participate

We encourage you to get involved by working on a Sub-committee or Working Group, attending events and responding to requests e.g. surveys, focus groups, speaking events and more. The Friends of Music parent group is also active in supporting the Music program.  Keep an eye on the newsletter and key dates. 

Working on school council

School Council works in partnership with school leaders to:

• assist in the efficient governance of the school
• ensure that its decisions affecting students of the school are made in the best interests of Northcote students

To work on School Council, you need to:

• be interested and curious about what the school is doing and why
• be available to attend monthly Council meetings
• work on a Sub-Committee or Working Group, which also involves attending a monthly meeting and contributing work in between.

The meeting dates are published in the newsletter and also on the website. 

We encourage parents to gain experience by participating in a sub-committee or working group prior to joining Council (see below for further information).  Whilst all expressions of interest in joining School Council are welcome, there are specific skills needed given the current priorities of the school.

These include:

• Financial expertise
• An interest in or expertise in events and/or fundraising
• A legal or communications background
• Community connectors and influencers

For further information or to discuss getting involved at Northcote, please contact:

Sue Harrap, Principal (9488 2332,  harrap.susan.j@edumail.vic.gov.au)

Martin Hughes, School Council President, (9488 2332, mhughes@afainsurance.com)

2018 School Council Elections

What is school council and what does it involve?

All government schools in Victoria have a school council. They are legally formed bodies that are given powers to set the key directions of the 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.

Why is parent membership so important?

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

There are two Sub-Committees of School Council:

• Finance – supports school leadership to manage finances effectively and future planning.
• Governance – supports the school to meet all legal requirements, as well as DET requirements and community expectations of good governance

There are currently two Working Groups:

• Events & Fundraising – develops the schools events calendar and hosting events to raise money build community and have fun. e.g. Comedy Night, Trivia Night, Writers TalkFest
• Uniform - considers matters regarding uniform supply as they arise and may make recommendations to Council, as requested, on aspects of uniform policy

Other working groups are formed as required according to school needs and priorities.

Do I need experience to be on school council?

No. Although any parent/carer is eligible to nominate for school council, we would encourage some prior involvement in working parties or committees. Of course, this is not a prerequisite for council membership.

How can you become involved?

The most obvious way to be involved is to vote in the upcoming election.

You might consider standing for election as a member of the school council, or suggesting/encouraging another person to stand for election.

Please note: Ballots are only held if more people nominate as candidates than there are positions vacant.

What do I need to do to nominate and potentially stand for election?

Nomination forms are available at the Northcote High reception from Kate Challis from Friday 9 February and must be lodged at Northcote High no later than 4.00pm on Friday 16 February 2018. 

Please also complete a biography of up to 150 words for publishing to the school community.

If there are more nominations for School Council than there are vacancies, a ballot will be conducted on Monday 26 February 2018 – see timeline below.

More information is also available http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/parents/involve/Pages/schoolcouncilguide.aspx

Council Election Timeline 2018

Notice of election and call for nominations:  

Friday 9 February 

Closing Date for nominations:    

Friday 16 February 

Date by which the list of candidates and nominations will be displayed:

Monday 19 February 

Date by which ballot papers will be distributed:

Monday 26 February 

Close of ballot:                    

Thursday 8 March 

Vote count and ballot declared:

Friday 9 March 

School Council Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Thursday 23 March 

Current vacancies

Parent Member:                                 Four (4)

DET Employee Member:                 Two (2)

Term of Office: From the day after the declaration of the poll in 2018 to, and inclusive of, the date of the declaration of the poll in 2020.

School Council comprises four membership categories:

• A mandated elected Parent category. Parent members must make up more than one-third of the council’s total membership. Department of Education and Training (DET) employees can be parent members on council at their child’s school as long as they are not employed at the school
• A mandated elected DET Employee category. DET employee members may make up no more than one third of the council’s total membership. The Principal of the school is automatically one of the DET employee members
• An optional Community Member category. Members of this category are appointed from a decision of the school council based on their special skills, interests and experience. DET employees are ineligible for this category
• From 2018, there is a mandated student member category, with full voting rights. This is just a continuation of practice for Northcote High School

The term of office for council membership is two years.

Note: DET 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.