education.vic.gov.au

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School council training

Improving school governance training modules

Improving school governance (ISG) consists of 5 modules, including a table of contents. The modules have been developed to improve knowledge, understanding and skills of school council members, school council presidents and school principals.

The ISG training package comprises 5 modules:

  • governance
  • strategic planning
  • finance
  • policy and review
  • school council president.

The complete ISG training package is available at:

Virtual Live training (formerly face-to-face)

Virtual Live training is delivered free of cost to school councils of Victorian government schools, through Synergistic.

For further information and to book a training session, visit: Synergistic Virtual Live trainingExternal Link

Interactive online training

School councillors can self-register to access free interactive online training through The Big Canvas learning management system (LMS).

Online training can be accessed individually or in small groups, at a time and place convenient to participants.

To access the Interactive Online training visit: The Big Canvas Interactive Online trainingExternal Link

Councillors are to be formally reminded about the availability of governance training through tabling the Improving school governance fact sheet (DOCX)External Link at the first meeting annually.

Induction

The School Council Induction Video (available on the Policy tab) provides a summary of the purpose and responsibilities of school councils, as well as the roles and duties of school councillors.

Principals and school council presidents may use the video as general information for school councils, for recruiting prospective councillors, or for the induction of new school councillors.

A Welcome to school council letter (DOCX)External Link has been prepared for principals. Principals are encouraged to use this letter when welcoming new members onto school council.

Self-assessment tool

This self-assessment tool provides support and guidance to school councils in evaluating their effectiveness as a collective council. Group discussion and reflection using the self-assessment process help school councils identify areas for improvement. Refer to: School council self assessment tool (DOCX)External Link or the tool can be accessed through the School Council PortalExternal Link (principal and business manager login required).

Self-assessment video

This video provides a summary of:

  • the purpose of the self-assessment tool
  • the steps to take to complete the self-assessment task.

Watch the Self-assessment video on VimeoExternal Link .

Principals and school council presidents may use the video:

  • to undertake a review of their school council activities
  • to assess their school council activities.
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Reviewed 25 April 2023

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