College Council

McClelland College School Council 2025

College Councils play a pivotal role in the running of a government school, and is a way for parents, students, and even community members to get further involved in the McClelland experience. Parent representatives have a two year tenure; in 2025 there are 4 parent positions available, for which we warmly welcome current and new parents to apply for. Where multiple applications are made, voting occurs. New council members have access to learning modules to help with understanding the requirements of council, as well as being supported by the regular members of council.

The McClelland College Council is a supportive and positive group, where members have the best interests of all students and stakeholders in mind, and engage in informed and thorough discussion of important matters of teaching, learning, wellbeing, programs, camps, and much more. All voices are sought and valued, contributing to balanced decisions which are always in the best interests of the McClelland College community.

In 2024 our council representatives includes:

President – Patrick Lee

Principal – Laura Dowdell Spence

Business Manager – Melinda Dunston

Assistant Principal – rotation

Parent representative – Mel Shaw

Parent representative – Chris Fathers

Parent representative – Heidi Paton

Parent representative – Kerri-Lee Corkery

Parent representative – Vacant

Student representative – Evelyn Buttler

Student representative – Ella Ginn -resigned

A range of staff and students also present to council at various meetings, usually when they have a particular agenda item to present, request to make, or to report back after an event.

The standing agenda of all council meetings includes:

· Previous minutes

· Principal report

· Student representative committee

· Finance

· Child safe

· General business

Some of the exciting contributions the 2024 School Council have made include discussing and approving:

- Over $250,000 in spending on student learning resources

- Over $450,000 in minor capital works funding

- Student Representative Council events such as free dress days and fundraising,

- Inaugural events such as the Vocational Major Cornershop Carnival

- The 2025 Central Australia Tour

- The forming of a Uniform Sub Committee to expand the range of stakeholders and contributions to ongoing discussions about McClelland’s school uniform

- And many more exciting initiatives

Student voice is critical to School Council discussions, and we strongly encourage 2025 students to nominate for a position.

In 2024 Council met twice a term, Tuesdays at 7pm, usually for between 1 to 2 hours. Agenda and relevant documents are emailed the Friday prior to the meeting, with members provided a laptop at the meeting to access the documents, assisting with discussions.

If you are interested in applying for a position on the 2025 McClelland College Council, a call for nominations will be made in the February, ballot forms are made available at the office or by email.

For more information from the Department of Education on the role of School Councils, please see: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/school-council-overview/overview

If you wish to contact a current council member for more information about council, please email: schoolcouncil@mcclellandcollege.vic.edu.au

For other information related to council, please contact Business Manager Melinda Dunston, or Principal Laura Dowdell Spence at mcclelland.sc@education.vic.gov.au.