The Lorne P-12 School Council plays a significant role in the life of the school and is one of the many ways you may become involved in the life of the school.

Good governance relies on the professional leadership of the Principal, who is the council’s executive officer, the school council president and school council members. The establishment and implementation of appropriate processes achieve a balance between formal meeting procedures and a friendly atmosphere of cooperation.

The council has a legislated responsibility to:

• contribute to the long-term planning for the future of the school by assisting with school evaluations and strategic plans
• oversee the management of the school’s cash reserves, including budgeting and some capital works
• make sure the school’s grounds and buildings are developed and maintained
• develop, review, update and monitor policies
• report annually to the community and the DET
• take into account the community’s views when making decisions.

School Council is not involved in the day-to-day operational management of the school.  Council does not:

• employ teaching staff
• hire or fire the school principal
• determine class allocations
• discuss individual issues between teachers, students and parents
• represent sectional interests
• make decisions about curriculum or pedagogical approaches.

The Lorne P-12 College School Council can have up to fourteen members – seven elected parent representatives, four elected DET representatives, including the principal and two student members. School Council may also nominate one community member.  All elected members serve a two-year term.

The council meets at least eight times a year and in the week prior to these meetings the various the council sub-committees meet.

Teamwork, co-operation, collaboration, trust and confidentiality are the hallmarks of effective councils, and we are fortunate that our councils have been highly effective over many years.

If being on school council appeals to you, we suggest you have a chat to one of our current councillors or contact our school principal, Carly Stafford.  You might also wish to visit the DET website.

For further information on the role of school council, see the DET publication Making the Partnership Work.

Our School Council body consists of the following sub-committees:

• Education Policy
• Finance
• Buildings, Grounds and Environment

If you have a question for School Council, please email lorne.p12.co@education.vic.gov.au requesting it be forwarded to the relevant sub-committee. It will be answered as soon as possible.