School Council

ELTHAM HIGH SCHOOL     

School Council Elections:

I take this opportunity to provide you with information about School Council. School Council elections are imminent. It is important that you all consider the possibility of nominating for a position on Council.

Each year a number of positions become vacant and I urge you to consider this opportunity. The following information may help you clarify some of the main roles of School Council and the responsibilities of School Councillors. More detailed information is available from the school on request.

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 to 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 elected members must be from this category. Department of Education and Training employees can now be parent members at their child’s school.
   
• A mandated elected Department of Education and Training 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.
   
• A mandated elected student category. A student member category on School Council was mandated for Victorian Government Schools with a Year 7 cohort and above. Each school council increased by two positions to allow for two Student members to be elected to council.
   
• An optional community member category. Its members are co-opted by the decision of the council because of their special skills, interests or experiences. Department of Education and Training employees are not eligible to be community members.

The term of office for members is two years. Normally half the members 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 will be held in late February/early March. 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 Eltham High School Council.
• Encouraging another person to stand for election.

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?

A notice of the election and a call for nominations accompanies this document.

If you decide to stand for election, you will need to arrange for someone to nominate you as a candidate in the parent category (use Form 4). Alternatively, you may self-nominate (use Form 3). Once the nomination form is complete, return it to the school within the time stated on the notice of election. (Form 3 and Form 4 are available from the School Website or directly from the General Office).

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.

Remember The Following:

• Consider standing for election to the Eltham High School Council this year.
• Be sure to vote in the election if it goes to ballot.
• Contact the Principal for further information.

School Council Election Timeline – 2024

School Council Annual General Meeting:

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the School Council will take place on 20 March 2024 at 7:00 pm in the Conference Room (enter via the Withers Way entrance). This will be followed by the first meeting of the new School Council starting at 8:00 pm.

All members of the school community are invited to attend the AGM and will be most welcome.

RSVP: To the Executive Assistant (Mrs Kate Scalzo)

                Telephone: 9430 5111

                e-mail:  Kate.Scalzo@education.vic.gov.au

Please access notice of election and nomination forms through the following link.

VINCENT SICARI, Principal