Governing Council
Parents/Caregivers are encouraged to be involved in Governing Council or Committees of Council to ensure that parents/caregivers are involved in making decisions about the school’s directions. The Annual General Meeting is held each year. Governing Councillors are nominated and elected by the parents/caregivers of the school.
The role of the Governing Council is established under the Education Act and includes:
- involving the whole school community in the governance of the school.
- ascertaining the educational needs of the local community and the attitude of the local community to educational developments within the school and advising the Principal on these matters.
- setting the broad direction and vision for the school and developing, monitoring and reviewing the strategic plan.
- determining policies for the school including policies for the safety, welfare and discipline of students.
- determining the application of the total financial resources available to the school and reviewing the budget.
- reporting to the school community and the Minister on the strategic plan, the finances of the school and Council’s operations.
- maintaining any property owned by the Council and ensuring facilities and services enhance the education, development, care and safety of students or residential facilities for student accommodation.
Committees
Each Committee (except Finance) has student, staff and parents representatives. There are five standing committees of Council and also Ad Hoc Committees established at need, eg the Ag and Uniform Committees. A Governing Councillor is nominated as the convenor for each committee and has the responsibility of liaising with the Principal and staff and reporting to Council and the school community. The Standing Committees and their roles are listed below:
Finance Committee
Under Regulations, the Council must establish a Financial Advisory Committee to advise the Council on budgetary and financial matters, including the preparation of the budget.
Composition:
- Treasurer, elected by Governing Council
- Principal (ex officio)
- School Administration Officer (ex officio)
- 2 Teaching Staff elected by the staff
- 2 Parents approved by the Governing Council
Role & Responsibilities:
- investigate, review and formulate school financial policy and practice to continually improve the school’s financial management.
- prepare the annual budget to be submitted to the Governing Council for approval before November of each year.
- publish notes and procedures to staff for annual budget preparation.
- monitor procedures relating to financial management of the school (in particular submissions for funding outside the normal budgeting process) and ensure they are in accordance with DECS policies and audit procedures on financial management.
- monitor actual expenditure against budget and report to financial managers and Governing Council regularly.
- approve the annual financial statement before its presentation to the school’s Annual General Meeting and submission for audit.
The Finance Committee must meet at least once each school term to examine receipts and payments and review the school budget. Tintinara Area School’s Finance Committee meets on a regular basis, approximately two times per term if needed. At the time of budget preparation there is a more intensive meeting schedule.Asset Management
Composition:
- Principal
- Groundsperson
- Up to 2 Teaching Staff elected by the staff
- 4 parents (including one from governing council)
- SRC nominee elected by the SRC
Role & Responsibilities:
- to investigate, review, discuss and formulate policies that affect the school grounds and facilities (Ovals, Pools, Tennis Courts, furniture, fittings and equipment.)
- monitor policy statements from DECS and OHSW Act, which are applicable to the grounds and facilities.
- review actual expenditure against budget, and report to the Governing Council and the Finance Committee as required.
- prepare the Minor Works submission and the allocation of the Asset Management Grant.
- make recommendations to Governing Council, Staff, SRC, regarding Facilities projects for which funds could be raised or spent.
- decide when appropriate to carry out specific projects with volunteers eg working bees
- prepare reports and recommendations for the Governing Council.
The Asset Management Committee meets on a needs basis. Meetings occur more frequently around times such as the preparation of the Asset Management Grant priorities and Minor Works submissions.
CPC Management
Composition:
- Governing Councillor
- Principal
- CPC Teacher
- Parents/Guardians ( at least 3)
Role & Responsibilities:
- to support the CPC teacher with management of the Child Parent Centre.
- to support new projects and to maintain existing projects
- to organise fund-raising activities
- to liaise with CPC parents to give information or ask for support
The CPC Management Sub-Committee meets on a needs basis, usually once a term.
Education Committee
Composition:
- Governing Councillor
- Principal
- 2 Staff Nominees
- 2 parents
- 2 students
Role & Responsibilities:
- to develop and review educational policies, procedures or directions
- to consult with the school community during the development or review phase
- liaise with school community to review curriculum offering or changes to educational directions
The Education Committee meets on a needs basis, usually once a term.
ICT Committee
Composition:
- Governing Councillor
- Principal
- ICT Teacher
- 2 Staff Nominees
- 2 parents
- 2 students
Role & Responsibilities:
- to develop, implement and review the ICT 3 year Plan
- manage and develop the ICT facilities and infrastructure in the school
- work with the ICT teacher to manage the ICT curriculum and hardware budgets and report on expenditure to Governing Council
- obtain quotes for resources or equipment
- prepare any submissions for the Finance Committee for expenditure above the budget
The ICT Committee meets on a needs basis, usually once a term. Meetings may occur more frequently around times such as the preparation of submissions.