The Policy-making body for School operations, the School Council is of vital importance in all Schools. Different configurations of Councils are permissible across the State, but it is compulsory for School Councils to have a membership where parents have the majority.
At Mount Waverley North Primary, we have chosen to have a 15-member Council made up of 5 Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) employees (usually MWNPS Teaching Staff, but not necessarily so, one of whom is the Principal), 9 Parents and 1 Representative from the Parents and Friends Association. Councillors are normally elected for a 2-year term, with half the Council retiring each year. Nominations are called for at the start of each year in both Parent and DEECD Employee categories and if nominations exceed the number of places available an election is held. This is considered to be a sign of healthy interest in how the school is operating.
Within its structure, the School Council operates Committees for special purposes which generally meet in the fortnight preceding Council to discuss specific issues and make a report and recommendations to Council for endorsement. The Committees are currently: Education (reviewing policy and issues), Environment (maintaining and improving school facilities), Finance (financial management), Communications (includes publicity and marketing), Out Of School Hours Care (OSHC) Parents and Friends (PFA) and Festive Fair. At Council meetings reports are also tabled from the Junior School Council, Safety House, Festive Fair and the School's Co-operative. It is expected that each member of School Council is on at least one Committee.
School Council meets a minimum of twice per term with dates for 2009 being: 16th February, 16th March, 4th May, 1st June, 3rd August, 7th September, 9th November and 9th December. Meetings commence at 7.45 pm. and are open to any interested member of the School Community to attend as guests (without voting rights).
Current Council
Parent Representatives: Adam Creek (President), Anne Dawson (Vice-President), Darren Bastian (Treasurer), Jodie Blewett (Secretary), Lance Lloyd, Laurie Donovan, Tina Bosco, Natarsha-Lee Gadjek, Bronwyn Barnes
DEECD Representatives: Robyn James (Principal), Chris Forge (Assistant Principal) Sandra Robertson-Smith, David Wells, Tanya Gurney
PFA Nominee: Deb Radi