School Council
At 208, our School Council comprises of eight parent representatives, five Department of Education representatives from the school and two representatives from the broader community.
What is a School Council?
- is a legally formed body that is given powers to assist in the key directions of a school
- is the major governing body of the school
- plays an important role in school accountability and improvement processes
- endorses the key school planning, evaluation and reporting documents.
What is the function of a School Council?
- establish the broad direction and vision of the school within the school’s community
- develop, review and update school policies
- raise funds for school-related purposes
- approve the annual budget and monitor expenditure
- maintain the school’s grounds and facilities
- enter into contracts (e.g. cleaning, construction work)
- generally stimulate interest in the school in the wider community.
School Council does not
- manage the school, employ ongoing teaching staff with no fixed date for termination
- represent sectional interests
- renew the principal’s contract or hire and fire the school principal
- determine class allocations
- discuss individual issues between teachers and students and/or parents
- purchase land or buildings
- enter into hire purchase agreements or obtain credit or loan facilities, unless authorised by the Minister.
What qualities would I need to possess to be on the School Council?
- you need to be keen, but you don’t need to be an expert
- you need to like people and be able to work in a team
- you do need to be prepared to commit the time needed to ensure the work of council gets done.
Benefits of being on School Council
- it’s a great way to get involved and have a real say in what your school is doing for its students
- it’s a very good way to help current and future students of the school
- your children may feel a greater sense of belonging with the school.
What is the election process?
- the Principal arranges and conducts the elections.
- these are held in February or March each year.
- if you decide to stand for election, you can arrange for someone to nominate you as a candidate or you can nominate yourself.
- your nomination form needs to be returned within the time stated on the Notice of Election and Call for Nominations.
- ballots are only held if more people nominate as candidates than there are positions to fill.
- all school community members are encouraged to vote.