VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT SCHOOL COUNCILS

All government schools in Victoria have a school council. They are legally constituted bodies that are given powers to set the broad direction of a school, in accordance with Ministerial Order 1280 Constitution of Government School Councils, and the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. In doing this, a school council may directly influence the quality of education for students.

WHY IS PARENT MEMBERSHIP SO IMPORTANT

Parents on school councils provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills and a range of experiences and knowledge that can help inform and shape the direction of the school.

Those parents who become active on a school council find their involvement satisfying and may also find that their children feel a greater sense of belonging.

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

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SCHOOL COUNCILLORS

School councils in Victoria are public entities as defined by the Public Administration Act 2004.

School councillors must comply with the Code of Conduct for Directors of Victorian Public Entities issued by the Victorian Public Sector Commission.

John Monash Science School

School Council Elections 2023 · 28 Feb 2023

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