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.