School Council

Objectives of school council

The objectives of a school council are to:

• assist in the efficient governance of the school
• ensure that its decisions affecting students of the school are made having regard, as a primary consideration, to the best interest of the students
• enhance the educational opportunities of students at the school
• ensure the school and the council complies with any requirements of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, the Education and Training Reform Regulations 2017, a Ministerial Order or a direction, guideline or policy issued under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006.

These school council objectives must be considered by school council members when exercising any of their powers, duties or functions.

The key functions of school council are:

• to establish the broad direction and vision of the school within the school’s community
• to arrange for the supply of goods, services, facilities and other things or matters required for the conduct of the school
• to raise funds for school related purposes in accordance with applicable Department of Education fundraising policies
• to regulate and facilitate the after-hours use of the school premises and grounds
• to exercise a general oversight of the school buildings and grounds and ensure they are kept in good order and condition
• to provide for the cleaning and sanitary services that are necessary for the school
• to ensure that all money coming into the hands of the council is expended for proper purposes relating to the school
• to provide meals and refreshments for the staff and students of the school and make charges for those meals or refreshments
• to inform itself and consider any views of the school community for the purpose of making decisions in regard to the school and the students at the school
• to generally stimulate interest in the school in the wider community
• to participate in the development of the School Strategic Plan – to be signed by the president and the principal
• to report annually (the Annual Report) to the school community and to the department on:
• the school’s financial activities
• the School Strategic Plan, and
• any other matters that are determined by the Minister
• to manage the hire, licence and shared use of school facilities
• to determine the dates for the school’s student-free days, in accordance with the number of student-free days each calendar year specified by the Secretary of the department

How to join the Girgarre PS school council

In February each year, the school will notify the entire school community of nominations, where any member of the school community can put forward their name to go on school council for a tenure of two years. Depending on current school council members either incoming or outgoing, this will determine how many spots will become available for any new members to join.

In the circumstance of having more prospective members than available spots, each applicant will have to write an application that will go into a ballot, in which the school community will cast their vote for their preferred candidate.

Once we have finalised all outgoing and incoming representatives, an Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held to officially hand over the roles.

If you have any questions or would like more details regarding our school council policy, please contact the school.

2026 School Council

Wade S — President
Naomi V — Vice-President
Tracey R — Secretary, DET representative
Alicia B — Member
Suz V — Member
Ashleigh B — Executive Officer