GENERAL INFORMATION

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT SCHOOL COUNCILS

All government schools in Victoria have a school council. School councils are legal entities that are given powers to set the broad directions of a school in accordance with their constituting Orders and the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. In doing this, a school council is able to directly influence the quality of education that the school provides for its students.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DUTIES OF A SCHOOL COUNCILLOR?

The school council has particular functions in setting and monitoring the school’s direction.

School councils have three main responsibilities:

• Finance: overseeing the development and expenditure of the school’s annual budget and ensuring proper records are kept of the school’s financial operation.

• Strategic planning: participating in the development and monitoring of the school strategic plan.

• Policy development and review: developing, reviewing and updating selected policies that reflect a school’s values and support the school’s broad direction outlined in its strategic plan.

Other key functions of school councils may include:

• raising funds for school related purposes

• maintaining school grounds and facilities

• entering into contracts

• reporting annually to the school community and the department

• creating interest in the school in the wider community

• representing and taking the views of the community into account

• regulating and facilitating after-hours use of school premises and grounds

• operating a children’s service at the school.

PLEASE NOTE

PARENTS - A voting form will be sent home with students for parents to fill in and return inside the envelopes on Monday 7th of March.

Students are to place the voting forms into the ballot box, located at reception by Thursday 10th March.

STUDENTS - A voting form is available at your house station. You are to vote and place in the box located in your house.