Chairman or Chairperson?
Use of the word Chairman instead of Chairperson is the recognised legal term. It does not reflect the male/female role as leader of the governing body. Each Council should make its own decision on this matter. At any meeting the Chairperson is the most important person in terms of the way the meeting operates. The Chairperson uses this position to initiate, facilitate and motivate ideas and people to accomplish the goals of the meeting. Important aspects of a good Chairperson include impartiality, firmness, tact, common sense and a good sense of humor. Other useful qualities are courtesy, patience, fairness, self-control, tolerance, and an orderly mind.
School Council Annual Requirements
Each year a School Council must:
Hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) by 15th March each year. (Permission must be sought from the Minister for Education to hold an AGM after this date)
Ensure all teachers are registered with the NT Teacher Registration Board
Ensure an up to date Asbestos Register is available for workmen to sight and sign
In brief - Roles & Responsibilities
The Secretary is required to:
Give notice of meetings
Inform the School Community of closing dates for receiving nominations for office bearers and committee members
Manage Inward and Outward correspondence
Draft Counsil correspondence as required
Assist the Chairperson in preparation of agendas and at the meetings
Write up the Minutes of each meeting
Distribute Minutes ensuring each Council member receives a copy
Maintain a Minute folder/book
Keep a record of members terms of office
Election of Treasurer
The Treasurer is generally elected from, and by, the parent component of the School Council. Should Council consider no member has the required expertise they may ask the Principal to appoint the School's Administration Mananger (sAM) to the position (see page 2 of Handbook)
Roles & Responsibilities
The Treasurer’s duties include:
Establishment of a close working relationship with the sAM, to facilitate a good understanding of the school's accounts and financial position. Preparation of a monthly financial statement, which includes receipts, expenditure and variations to the budget, as well as the balance of all accounts. (The sAM will prepare the report for presentation.)
Preparation of the school’s draft budget to Council for endorsement and sign off. (Whilst the sAM prepares the budget in conjunction the the Principal, school staff and the Finance Subcommittee of Council, it is the Treasurer's role to present it to Council. The Treasurer may request that the sAM be present to discuss any questions Council may have at the meeting in regard to the more in depth details of the budget.)
The COGSO Representative is the key link in establishing and maintaining communication between School Councils, Regional Councils and COGSO Executive. Their main role is to bring issues and information concerning their schools to regional meetings.
Each school elects a COGSO Representative ideally at the same time as other positions are decided upon at their School Council Annual General Meeting. School policies may raise issues for the collective action of all COGSO affiliates or may affect a school’s response to an issue raised by other Councils or the Executive of COGSO.
The COGSO Regional Executive Representative will then take this information to the Executive.
They would also be expected to become aware of current COGSO Policy and be prepared to advise the School Council on such when and where appropriate.
Welcome to your School Council
The Council of Government Schools Organisations (COGSO) welcomes your participation in the education process of not only your child but all of the children at your school in particular and all government schools in the NT in general.
This book draws heavily on Section 7 of the School Management Handbook (Department of Employment Education and Training, January 1998). [Quotations from the School Management Handbook have their location within the SMH acknowledged.] The School Management Handbook explains in simple language many of the questions you may have, and information you need to know as a School Council member. In addition it contains information that COGSO feels you may find interesting and useful.
Other documents you should have copies of are:
Parent-teacher interviews can sometimes become a cause for concern for everyone involved. Children may be worried at the idea of parents and teachers talking about them. Regardless about how you feel it is important to remember that you both have a mutual interest—the welfare and education of your child.
Parent Teacher Interviews provide opportunities to:
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