School Board Vacancy

We have a vacancy for a parent representative on our School Board. As a member of the School Board, you have the opportunity to take part in shaping and monitoring the school’s objectives, priorities and general policy directions.

One important role the Board has is to establish and promote a vision for the school that reflects the aspirations and needs of the community. The Board can have an important influence on the direction of the school, with members bringing ideas and lending their expertise to strategic planning and community partnerships.

You do not require any special skills as induction and training is provided. Your enthusiasm, commitment and passion for the school are all that is needed.

Please download the NOMINATION FOR SCHOOL BOARD 2016 and hand in to the front office by 2:30pm Wednesday 16^th March 2016.

More information about the roles and responsibilities of the School Board can be accessed here on our website

Kind regards,

Jacqui O’Donnell & Margaret Keen

Principals

The role of the School Board is that of involvement in the governance of the school. This means taking part in the shaping and monitoring of the school’s objectives, priorities and general policy directions. One of the most important things the Board does is to establish and promote a vision for the school that reflects the aspirations and needs of the community.

The Board can have an important influence on the direction of the school, with members bringing ideas and lending their expertise to strategic planning, and community partnerships. Professional skills in areas such as management, finance, procurement, marketing and cultural knowledge support the Principal and strengthen the school’s capacity to meet the needs of its students.

The Independent Public School Board is a signatory to the Delivery and Performance Agreement with the Principal and Director General. There is also an expectation that the Board participates in the external review of the school that is undertaken by the Department of Education Services in the final year of the Delivery and Performance Agreement.

Elected members include parents, staff and members of the community. The principal is a member of the Board. A comprehensive induction is provided for all Board members. We have outlined the responsibilities of School Boards below so that you can make an informed decision whether to nominate.

The Rockingham Beach Primary Campus Board is formed, under the provisions of the School Education Act 1999 (the Act), with the fundamental purpose of enabling parents and members of the community to engage in activities that are in the best interests of students and that will enhance the education provided by the school.

The functions of Rockingham Beach Primary Campus Board are to:

• To take part in:
  • establishing and reviewing from time to time, the school’s objectives, priorities and general policy directions;
  • planning financial arrangements necessary to fund those objectives, priorities and directions;
  • evaluating the school’s performance in achieving those objectives, priorities and directions;
  • formulating codes of conduct for students at the school.
  • take part in the selection of, but not the appointment of, the school principal or any other member of the teaching staff if prior approval is given by the Regional Executive Director
• Promote the school in the community.
• Provide advice on a general policy for religious education and implementation of special religious education.
• Determine, in consultation with students, their parents and staff of the school, a dress code for students when they are attending or representing the school.
• Approve of:
  • a charge or contribution determined by the principal for the provision of materials, services and facilities;
  • the costs determined by the principal to be paid for participation in an extra cost optional component of the school’s educational program;
  • the items determined by the principal to be supplied by a student for the student’s personal use in the school’s educational program; and
  • an agreement or arrangement for advertising or sponsorship in relation to a government school.

The responsibilities of the Board are to:

• comply with the Board’s terms of reference, the Department of Education’s School Councils policy, the School Education Act 1999 and the School Education Regulations 2000;
• liaise with other committees within the school e.g. the Parents and Citizens’ Association;
• hold an annual public meeting once in every calendar year that is open to the public. An annual report will be presented at the meeting to advise the school community of the performance of the Board in the last year;
• hold meetings that are generally open to the public.

The School Board does not:

• manage the day to day running of the school (for example, staff management, and student assignment to classes);
• discuss individual issues relating to teachers, staff or parents;
• represent specific interest groups, or permit special interests to dominate the agenda of the Board;
• intervene in the educational instruction of students;
• borrow money or obtain funds;
• purchase property; or
• performance manage the principal or any other Department of Education employee

School Board members are required to exercise judgement and make decisions, and this can, at times, present ethical dilemmas. The code of conduct provides a framework of values and behaviours in support of this role:

• To perform roles and responsibilities to the best of one’s abilities, within the framework of the law, the limits of authority and available resources.
• To respect the uniqueness and dignity of individuals and act in a fair, courteous and sensitive manner.
• To respect the decision making processes of the Board which are based on a decision of the majority of the Board.
• To accept the responsibilities arising from the trust placed in members of the Board by staff, students and the community.
• To perform all duties with integrity, honesty and impartiality.
• To ensure that information concerning adopted policies, processes and decisions of the Board is conveyed accurately.
• To promote the role and function of the Board in a positive manner.
• To respect the roles of office bearers and not make unauthorised statements or decisions on behalf of the Board.
• To effectively communicate with, and promote participation by all sections of the school community, in order to achieve proper accountability and responsibility.
• To declare conflicts of interest, which may result in personal benefit or potential discrimination to others.
• To maintain appropriate confidentiality of personal and official information.
• To be accountable for efficient and effective use of resources with which Board members are provided.
• To undertake not to misbehave or hinder the implementation of Board decisions.