Belmore School Council

All government schools in Victoria have a school council. They are legally constituted bodies that are given powers to set the key directions of a school within statewide guidelines. In doing this, a school council is able to directly influence the quality of education that the school provides for its students.

The Belmore School Council is comprised of three categories of membership:

• Parent membership – 5 members
• DET employee membership – 4 members including the principal who fulfils the role of executive officer
• Community membership – 1 members

Generally, the term of office for all members is two years.

Participation on School Council is an interesting and rewarding experience. It provides members with an insight into how the school is run and gives them an opportunity to contribute to policy and program development. Parents and staff on School Council provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help shape the direction of the school.

The key functions of school council with regard to Belmore School 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
  • materials
  • equipment
• to raise funds for school related purposes
• 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 ensure that all money coming into the hands of the council is expended for proper purposes relating to the school
• to inform itself and take into account 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 prepare the School Strategic Plan and the Annual Implementation 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
• to perform any other function or duty, or to exercise any power conferred or imposed on the council by or under:
  • the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, or
  • any regulations made under that Act
  • a Ministerial Order made, or direction issued, by the Minister under the Education and Training Reform Act