Frequently Asked QuestionsThis information has been drawn from various sources, including the Paraburdoo Primary School Board Terms of Reference. Some details have been simplified for ease of understanding and to make the information relevant for Paraburdoo PS.
Further information and original documents are available in Information, Documents and Training. |
What is the purpose of the school board?
The school board is a mandated aspect of the school’s governance structure, with specific functions determined by state government acts and regulations.
The School Board is formed with the fundamental purpose of enabling parents and community members to engage in activities that are in the best interests of students and will enhance the education provided by the school.
The School Board is formed with the fundamental purpose of enabling parents and community members to engage in activities that are in the best interests of students and will enhance the education provided by the school.
What does the school board do?
The school board promotes the school, participates in setting strategic and policy directions, approves parent/carer contributions and changes, determines the student uniform policy, and provides advice to the school’s principal to inform the principal’s decision-making.
The school board meets regularly throughout the year to undertake these activities.
The school board meets regularly throughout the year to undertake these activities.
What aspects of school business is the board not responsible for?
The school board does not:
- Manage, control or intervene in the day to day running of the school, e.g., staff management, student behaviour, student instruction, etc.
- Discuss individual students, parents/carers or school staff.
- Represent individual agendas or allow personal interests to dominate the board’s work.
- Borrow money, obtain credit or make purchases on behalf of the board or school.
- Performance manage or have authority over the principal or any other school staff.
What are the roles within the school board?
The board comprises parents, staff and community members (i.e., those with an interest in the school or who can add value to the board, but do not have children attending the school). The school principal is automatically included on the board.
The school board chair can be a parent or community member. The chair is responsible for working with the principal to create board meeting agendas, along with other responsibilities throughout the year. The board chair is elected by the board.
There is also an option for the school board to have a member fill a secretary role.
The Paraburdoo Primary School Board comprises seven members: four parents/community members and three staff members including the principal.
The school board chair can be a parent or community member. The chair is responsible for working with the principal to create board meeting agendas, along with other responsibilities throughout the year. The board chair is elected by the board.
There is also an option for the school board to have a member fill a secretary role.
The Paraburdoo Primary School Board comprises seven members: four parents/community members and three staff members including the principal.
How much of a time commitment are board members asked to give?
Board members are asked to attend regular meetings, typically once or twice a school term for about an hour each. At minimum, a time commitment of 8-10 hours over a year would allow a board member to participate fully in school board processes.
Newly appointed board members are asked to complete an self-paced online training program, which can take upto three hours to complete.
The school board chair typically has a more significant time commitment as there are meetings with the principal, formal invitations to attend events, and agendas or other board items to prepare. This is negotiated between the chair and the principal throughout the year.
There are also opportunities to attend or volunteer at school events throughout the year; this time commitment depends on the availability and interest of each individual board member.
As part of the promoting the school, board members may have informal conversations in the community; this is again at the discretion of each individual board member.
Newly appointed board members are asked to complete an self-paced online training program, which can take upto three hours to complete.
The school board chair typically has a more significant time commitment as there are meetings with the principal, formal invitations to attend events, and agendas or other board items to prepare. This is negotiated between the chair and the principal throughout the year.
There are also opportunities to attend or volunteer at school events throughout the year; this time commitment depends on the availability and interest of each individual board member.
As part of the promoting the school, board members may have informal conversations in the community; this is again at the discretion of each individual board member.
How does someone become a board member?
All staff and parent members other than the principal must nominate and - if there are more nominations than positions - be elected to the board. In an election, staff elect staff members and parents elect parent members.
If a parent or staff board member resigns their position before the end of the tenure, casual members can be invited to join without election for the remaining tenure of the vacant position, afterwhich a regular election must be called with the casual board member welcome to nominate themselves to continue.
Community members (those who are not parents or school staff) are invited to join with agreement from the board. Community members are not elected in the same way parents and staff are.
If a parent or staff board member resigns their position before the end of the tenure, casual members can be invited to join without election for the remaining tenure of the vacant position, afterwhich a regular election must be called with the casual board member welcome to nominate themselves to continue.
Community members (those who are not parents or school staff) are invited to join with agreement from the board. Community members are not elected in the same way parents and staff are.
How long does school board membership last?
A board member can hold their position for up to three years, except the principal who is a board member for as long as they are in the principal role at Paraburdoo PS. Staff, parent and community members can nominate for further membership periods after their first tenure.
As Paraburdoo is typically a transient town, board members are not required to serve three years if there is a change in their personal circumstances during their tenure. Members can resign positions upon leaving town if members relocate before their tenure ends.
As Paraburdoo is typically a transient town, board members are not required to serve three years if there is a change in their personal circumstances during their tenure. Members can resign positions upon leaving town if members relocate before their tenure ends.
Are there any requirements bEforE becoming a board member?
Yes, a board member must hold a current Nationally Consistent Criminal History Check (sometimes referred to as a screening). This is different to a regular police record/criminal history check. It must be applied for through the Department of Education.
Screening information and the online application: https://www.education.wa.edu.au/ncchc
If school board members volunteer to work in the school directly with children, a WA Working With Children Check may also be required. The principal or the school's Mananger Corporate Services can provide more information about this.
Screening information and the online application: https://www.education.wa.edu.au/ncchc
If school board members volunteer to work in the school directly with children, a WA Working With Children Check may also be required. The principal or the school's Mananger Corporate Services can provide more information about this.