If you are interested in standing for PPP School Council read on to find out what it involves.

School councils play a key role in Victorian government schools, and being a member of the school council is a rewarding and challenging experience. Acting as a team, council supports the principal and staff to provide the best possible educational outcomes for students.

Each councillor brings their own valuable life skills and knowledge to the role, and must also be willing to learn new skills.

As a member of the PPPS Council you will be involved in a minimum of eight, and no more than nine, meetings per year. These are held on a Tuesday in the conference room from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm or via Webex, with an extension of 15 mins if voted for by members.

You also have an important and active role at events like the Family Fun Night, the Family Dance, the Prep Welcome BBQ and other community events during the year. Your level of participation might range from staffing the door at the Family Dance to organising a stall for the Family Fun Night, depending on your work and family commitments.

We are incredibly fortunate to have members of our community who, each year, are prepared to take on the responsibility of school council membership. Our parent members are the key to understanding our parent community; your opinions, your interests and your concerns.

Each year I look forward to working with such an interested and dedicated group, who enjoy a laugh together while never losing sight of the main purpose of our school, which is;

Plenty Parklands Primary School is a place of learning.

We educate children as lifelong learners to thrive in our rapidly changing and increasingly connected world.

This year, on your behalf, I would like to recognize the commitment of the members whose term finishes this year; Roger Baker, our School Council President, Elan Balasubramanian, Vlatko Miseski and Fiona Taylor. I would like to thank them for the time and energy they have given to the PPPS children and community.

The terms of office, membership categories and number of positions at PPPS are as follows:

Parent member 7 members. Each member holds the position for a 2 year term.

No more than one-third of the total members must be from this category. Department of Education and Training (DET) employees can be Parent members at their child's school as long as they are not engaged in work at the school.

DET employee member 4 members. Three of these are for a 2 year term and 1 ongoing position is held by the principal.

No more than one-third of the total membership of school council must be from this category. The principal of the school is automatically one of these members.

Community or co opted members

If required, members are coopted by a decision of the council because of their special skills, interests or experiences. DET employees are not eligible to be Community members.

2021 Election Timeline

Thursday 25th February:

Call for nominations

Thursday 4th March: Nominations close at 4.00pm

Tuesday 9th March:

List of candidates to be announced

Thursday 11th March: Distribution of ballot papers if necessary

Thursday 18th March:

Close of ballot at 4.00 pm

Friday 19th March:

Counting of votes

Monday 22nd March: Declaration of the poll

Tuesday 23rd March:

First School Council meeting to elect office bearers and coopt community members

This year we have FOUR parent member vacancies due to the end of term for Roger Baker, Elan Balasubramanian, Vlatko Miseski and Fiona Taylor.

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

 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.

To assist you to decide if you would like to self nominate or nominate another parent, we have attached detailed information from the Department of Education and Training.

Thank you for your support.

Claire

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