schoolorganisation

SCHOOL COUNCIL

All government schools in Victoria have a school council. They are legally formed bodies that are given power to set the key directions of a school within centrally provided guidelines. In doing this a School Council is able to directly influence the quality of education that the school provides to its students.

There are three possible categories of membership.

- A compulsory elected parent category.
More than one third must be from this
category
- A compulsory elected Department of
Education, Employment and Training'
employee category. The Principal of
the school is automatically one of these
members.
- An optional category is the community
member category. Its members are
co-opted by the decision of the council
because of their skills, interests or
experiences.

The term of office is for two years. Half
the members must retire each year and
this creates vacancies for the annual
school council elections. Parents on
School Council provide an important
contribution and have valuable skills
that can help shape the direction of
the school. Elections are held each
year and all parents are invited to stand
for election or encourage another person
to stand. No special experience is
necessary - simply an interest in your
child's school.