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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.

School Council Standing Orders

For more information on School Council governance, visit DET Improving School Governance.

© 2023 Northcote High School