What is a School Council and what does it do?
All government schools in Victoria have a school council. They are legally formed bodies that are given powers 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 for its students.
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.
The term of office for all members is two years. Half the members must retire each year, creating vacancies for the annual school council elections.
Why is parent membership so important?
Parents on school councils provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help shape the direction of the school.
Do I need special experience to be on school council?
No. What you do need is an interest in the school and the desire to work in partnership with others to help shape the school’s future.
Lightning Reef Primary School Councillors 2024
Parent Members:
Dash Turnbull (School Council President)
Donna Rutherford (Treasurer)
Sonia Valli
Hannah Allen
Julie Darcy
Community Members:
John Jones
Stew Annan
DET Members:
Joanne Ryan (Principal)
Peter Millar
Katrina Johnstone
Amy Gillett
Documents: