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 School Council at Horsham West and Haven Primary School is made up of four categories of membership as designated by the Department of Education and Training:

• A mandated elected Parent category – more than one-third of the total members must be from this category. Department of Education and Training (DET) employees can be Parent members at their child’s school as long as they are engaged in work 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 the School Council. The Principal of the school is automatically one of these members.

• Optional Community member category – members are co-opted by a decision of the School Council because of their special skills, interests, or experiences. DET employees are not eligible to be community members.

Parents on school councils provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help shape the direction of the school. Parents are also welcome to contact the school to discuss being involved in one of the sub-committees of the School Council.

Generally, the term of office for members is two years. The term of office of half of the members expires each year, creating vacancies for the annual School Council Elections.

The School Council Sub Committees are:

• Finance

• Policy and Curriculum

• Buildings and Grounds

Further information regarding School Council is available from our Principal.