School Council Code of Practice

The School Council of Altona Meadows Primary School acknowledges that it operates within the Education Act and Regulations.

Within these regulations and guidelines Altona Meadows Primary School Council has resolved that it will observe the following principles:

• Council will respect confidentiality in matters of a personal nature.
• The learning needs of students will be the primary consideration in decision making.
• Council decision making will be based on a consensus model, but voting will apply if this is not possible. All councillors will support decisions made by the council
• Members of Council will be trained regarding their responsibilities, current school practices and DET policies and directions.
• Council will develop policy directions and observe the Principal’s right and responsibility to implement policy in the most appropriate way.
• Staff, parents and the wider community views will be considered in policy decisions.
• The community will be informed about major decisions and decisions of a general interest.

 Using the following practices: 

• The Council will meet no less than eight times per year.
• Meetings will be open to the community.
• Meeting procedures and decision making processes will operate as detailed in the School Council Standing Orders.
• School Council will appoint sub-committees each year in accordance with the School’s Priorities. Wider participation of community members will be sought. The sub-committees will include: Finance, Canteen Uniform, Grounds & Buildings, Promotions.
• Each sub-committee will be convened by a member of School Council and will have the responsibility of developing draft policy, reports and recommendations for School Council consideration.
• Maintain an effective partnership between staff/parents/students/community.

 Role of the Principal as Executive Officer of School Council the Principal will ensure that:

• Adequate advice is provided to the Council on educational and other matters

• The decisions of Council are implemented in an efficient and timely manner.

• Adequate support and resources are provided for the conduct of council meetings.

• Performance information on Charter Goals and Priorities is provided regularly to Council.