School Council
School Councils play a key role in providing the best possible educational outcomes for students.
All government schools in Victoria have a School Council that operates under a legislative framework within the Victorian government school system with particular functions in setting and monitoring the school’s direction.
Being a member of our School Council is a rewarding and challenging experience. Our School Council partners with our school leaders to assist with the efficient governance of the school and make sure decisions are made in the best interest of our students.
Members need to understand their role, the powers and functions of council, and how they are required to work with the principal and the school community.
The term of office for membership is 2 years.
Members 2024–25
| Category | Members | Requirements |
| Executive Officer | Chris Jones (School Principal) | |
| Parent-elected members | Gaby Chapman (President) James Thyer (Vice President) Clive Madder (Treasurer) Jo Rainford Ian Rogers Robyn Schofield |
Parent members must make up more than one-third of the total membership. Department of Education and Training (School) employees can be parent members at their child’s school as long as they are not employed at the school. |
| School employee members | Richard Smallcombe Karen Burgess Catherine de Sousa Peta Sirec |
School employee members make up no more than one-third of the total membership. The principal is automatically one of the school employee members. |
| Community-elected members | Nicole Oke | Members of this category are appointed by a school council decision based on their special skills, interests and experience. School employees are ineligible for this category. |
| Student-elected members | Rocket Douglas Thanh Nguyen |
There are two student members who are elected to council by their peers. Any student in year 7-12 is eligible to nominate. |
How to join
You don’t need any specific experience or prerequisites – any parent or carer is eligible to nominate for School Council.
All you need to be is interested and curious about the school, be available to attend monthly meetings, and work on a sub-committee or working group.
Council elections are held each year in February. You can self-nominate and stand for election, or you can encourage another person to stand for election.
Note: Ballots are only held if more people nominate as candidates than there are positions vacant.
To find out more about joining the School Council, contact Gaby Chapman, President on 9488 2332 or Chris Jones, Principal on 9488 2332 or christopher.jones@education.vic.gov.au
Working groups and sub-committees
In addition to School Council, parents and carers are encouraged to join our working groups and sub-committees. These groups and committees are formed to meet specific school needs and requirements.
Our working groups and sub-committees meet monthly and members are required to participate in designated activities. Current groups include Friends of Northcote, Governance, Finance and Masterplan Working party.
Friends of Northcote
Friends of Northcote is an active parent group that assists the Performing Arts Department and the broader school community to organise activities such as plays, concerts, literary, information and other community-building events.
To find out more, contact Audra Keane, Assistant Principal on 9488 2300.
For more information on School Council governance, visit DET Improving School Governance.