All school councils in Victoria operate under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006.

Each school council is established by an Order of the Minister for Education, which specifies:

• membership
• size and configuration
• objectives and powers
• functions and accountabilities
• role of the executive officer who is the principal.

Key functions

The school council has particular functions in setting and monitoring the school’s direction.

School councils have three main responsibilities:

• finance: overseeing the development of the school’s annual budget and ensuring proper records are kept of the school’s financial operation
• strategic planning: participating in the development and monitoring of the school strategic plan
• policy development and review: developing, reviewing and updating policies that reflect a school’s values and support the school’s broad direction outlined in its strategic plan.

Other key functions of school councils include:

• raising funds for school related purposes
• maintaining school grounds and facilities
• entering into contracts
• reporting annually to the school community and the Department
• creating interest in the school in the wider community
• representing and taking the views of the community into account
• regulating and facilitating after-hours use of school premises and grounds
• operating a children’s service at the school.

School councils comprise parents, the principal, staff, and students if the school has enrolments in year 7 and above. Many councils also have community members.  At least two thirds of the membership consists of parents.  School council elections are held in February or March each year and must be completed by 31 March.

All parents or guardians of students enrolled at the school are eligible to vote for parent members, staff vote for Department employee members and students vote for student members. Community members are co-opted by the school council.

Terms of office on council

School council members are elected (or co-opted in the case of community members) for approximately a two year term. Usually half the membership expires each year creating vacancies for the annual school council election.

The term of office and rights and responsibilities of community or co-opted members are the same as those of elected councilors.

It is to the benefit of the whole school that parents take a positive interest in the work of the School Council.

Reporting information

• 2023 - 2027 School Strategic Plan
• 2024 Annual Implementation Plan
• 2023 Annual Report to the School Community
• 2022 Annual Report to the School Community

The Council usually meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 4.30pm in the staff room or online via Teams. Members of the school community are welcome to attend any or all school council and sub-committee meetings. If you would like to attend a school council or sub-committee meeting, please contact the office so that we can arrange for a school representative to welcome you to the meeting.

Council members are keen to represent the whole school community, and are always interested in any thoughts or feedback that will help improve Werribee Primary School, to ensure our children have the brightest future possible. 

Council members in 2024/25 are:

Parent members:

• Hayley Amiet
• Rachael Andrews
• Sarah Dawe (Treasurer)
• Michael Laird
• Kate Sheikh
• Daryl Smith
• Sarah Testa
• Madhu Vasa  (Vice President)
• Liam O'Brien  (President)

DET Employee members:

• David Quinn (Principal)
• Jodie Christian (Assistant Principal)
• Rosemary Doherty (Assistant Principal)
• Shelley Laird (Assistant Principal)

There are two sub-committees of school council for which we are always keen to receive expressions of interest in becoming a member or any feedback:

• Finance Committee (incl Buildings & Grounds)
• Werribee Friends

2024 Meeting Dates:

Tuesdays - 4.30pm - Staffroom or Teams

Term 1 - 20 February 
Term 1 - 19 March  
Term 2 - 21 May  

Term 2 - 18 June - Public Reporting Meeting  

Term 3 - 20 August July 

Term 3 - 17 September 

Term 4 - 15 October 

Term 4 - 19 November 

There is more information about School Councils on the Victorian Department of Education's website