School Council

Welcome to the 2026 school year! 

As communicated at the end of 2025, in the coming weeks, the Essendon North Primary School, School Council will be calling for nominations for positions vacant. We take the opportunity to remind and inform parents of this process and share some information with our community members, to promote and inform our ENPS families of what School Council involves and to potentially interest new members for nomination for the 2026 School Council. 

The Purpose of School Council 

The School Council of Essendon North Primary School plays an important role in assisting with the efficient governance of the school. Being a member of the School Council is a rewarding and challenging experience. Acting as a team, council supports the Principal to provide the best possible educational outcomes for all students. 

School Council operates under a framework provided by the: 

• Education and Training Reform Act 2006 

• Public Administration Act 2004 

• Education and Training Regulations 2007 

It is important that School Councillors understand the key features of the legislation because it affects all aspects of their work: how they interact with the community, consider options, make decisions and generally how they conduct themselves. This strengthens community confidence in the school and helps to protect and build the school’s reputation. 

The Roles and Responsibilities of School Council 

The role of School Council is outlined in the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. In essence, the role of School Council is to support the Principal in setting the long-term future for the school. The types of responsibilities for School Council include:

• Participates in the development of the school strategic plan 

• Approves the strategic plan which is then signed by the president 

• Monitors the progress of school strategic plan against the goals 

• Approves the annual budget 

• Ensures appropriate internal controls are in place 

• Monitors school expenditure 

• Approves requests for voluntary contributions and school fees 

• Approves and monitors investments 

• Develops the broad direction and vision for the school using guidelines provided by DET 

• Develops, monitors, reviews and updates policies 

• Develops Student Engagement Policy and Student Dress Code 

• Consults with the school community before adopting changes to these policies 

• Approves employment of some staff (e.g. casual replacement teachers and support staff) 

• Allocates contract for school cleaning 

• Enters contracts for building and grounds improvements 

• Promotes the school to the wider community 

• Works with school community to stimulate interest in the school

• Makes a recommendation to the Secretary regarding Principal selection. 

School Council does not: 

• Manage the day to day running of the school that includes all operational processes and procedures 

• Discuss individual issues relating to teachers, staff or parents 

• Represent specific interest groups or permit special interests to dominate the agenda of the council 

• Purchase land, buildings or motor cars, and it can not enter into hire purchase agreements or obtain creditor loans, unless it is given permission by the Minister.

The Role of a School Councillor

Parent members on School Council bring their experience as parents at the school and the views of the wider school community to School Council meetings. 

DET employees bring their educational expertise to School Council meetings. 

Community members, if they are on School Council, most often bring a particular skill or area of expertise. 

School Council Membership 

School Council at Essendon North Primary School has twelve (12) positions. The constituting order of School Council states that the composition is as follows: 

• Six (6) elected parent electorate members, who represent more than one third of all School Councillors. Parent members are elected by a call for nominations. If more nominations are received than there are places available, the process will follow DET Guideline ‘Principal’s Guide to School Council Elections’. Parent members are elected for a two-year term. 

• Four (4) elected DET staff electorate members. The Principal as Executive Officer is included in this number. DET employee members are elected according to the process outlined in DET Guideline ‘Principal’s Guide to School Council Elections’ and are elected for a twelve-month term. 

• Up to two (2) co-opted community members. Community member positions are optional and are co-opted, rather than elected. DET employees are not eligible for this category. Community members will be co-opted for a twelve-month term. 

School Council Membership 

The current membership of School Council is:

*Indicate members of School Council whose term of office expires in March 2026

School Councillor positions become vacant due to the expiry of term of office and/or resignation of particular council members. In 2026, these positions include: 

• Four parent electorate representatives (Two-year tenure position) 

• Three DET Staff electorate representatives (One-year tenure period)

Process for Call for Nominations of School Council Members for Essendon North Primary School

Invitation to Parents/Carers 

The School Council invites parents and carers potentially interested in nominating in 2026 to reach out at and please contact our School Council President via the School email at Essendon.north.ps@education.vic.gov.au. 

It is anticipated that the Call for Nominations will take place from next week. 

If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us directly or the school office on 9379 3979. 

Yours sincerely, 

Kate Barletta

Principal

Ben Suter  

School Council President

School Council Sub-Committees

Sub-committees are a great way to get involved and help out! There is so much we want to do with and for our school, and we really do need the help of our parent community to make this happen. 

Is there a sub-committee you could lend your skills or interest to? We actively invite parent and staff members to join in on our sub-committees:

If you would like to be involved (remember many hands make light work!), please contact the office on 9379 3979 or email essendon.north.ps@education.vic.gov.au.