School Council Update

School Council News

It’s that time of year again, where we are setting up for a year of School Council membership. Unfortunately due to COVID, last year was not as we hoped for as a School Council team, therefore, we are hoping to set up in a similar way that was planned at the start of last year.

Please make a time to see me of you are interested in a being on School Council.

Janene

Notice of election and call for nominations	Friday 5th February 2021
Closing date for nominations	4pm Friday 12th February 2021
Date by which the list of candidates will be posted	Friday 19th February 2021
IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTION:
Date by which ballot papers will be prepared and distributed	On or before Friday 19th February 2021
Close of ballot	Friday, 26th Feb 2021 at 4.00 pm
Vote count	Monday, 1st March, 2021
Declaration of poll	Tuesday 2nd March via Compass Newsfeed
First council meeting to elect office bearers	Tuesday, 9th March 2021 following Annual General Meeting

Who is on the school council?

There are three possible categories of membership:

A mandated elected Parent category. More than one third of the total members must be from this category. Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DET) employees can be Parent members at their child’s school as long as they are not employed at the school.
A mandated elected DET 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.
An optional Community member category. Its members are appointed by a decision of the council because of their special skills, interests or experiences. DET employees are not eligible to be Community members.

If there are more nominations received than there are vacancies on council, an election ballot will be conducted during the two weeks after the call for nominations has closed.

What Does School Council Do?

The School Council has a key role in supporting the Principal and assisting in the effective governance of the school. There are a range of specific functions of the Council, along with its general responsibilities around setting strategy and governance. The Council has 8-10 meetings annually (usually one a month during term), and operates with a range of sub-committees where much of the work is done.

The role of school council is outlined in the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. In essence, the role of school council is one of helping to set the long term future for the school and maintaining oversight (not management) of the school's operation. It is not about running the school – that is the job of the Principal.

Responsibilities of School Council Members include:

· Regularly attending meetings of School Council

· Thoroughly reading reports before each meeting

· Maintaining confidentialities as required

· Having a prime responsibility to the interests of Council above that of any part of the school community

· Placing on the School Council meeting agenda items of a policy nature that cannot be addressed by normal management procedures i.e. Principal

Art

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