College Council

All government schools in Victoria have a school council. They are legally formed bodies that are given powers to set the key directions of a school within centrally provided guidelines. In doing this, a school council is able to directly influence the quality of education that the school provides for its students.

The College Council is a voluntary body comprising representatives from across the college community.  The council meets on a monthly basis between February and December.  Parents on school councils provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help shape the direction of the school.  Those parents who become active on a school council find their involvement satisfying in itself and may also find that their children feel a greater sense of belonging.

The College Council provides advice to the Administration Team and facilitates consideration of a range of key strategic initiatives that support the mission
statement of Dromana College – ‘To provide a caring, inclusive and sustainable community in which students develop the skills and personal qualities necessary to participate positively and confidently in a changing, global community while striving to achieve their personal best’.
Dromana College Council is responsible for taking a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety issues. The safety and wellbeing of children at Dromana College is paramount. To this end, Dromana College Council has adopted the following Child Safe Code of Conduct which expects all members and participants in our Dromana College Community to be responsible for supporting the safety, participation, wellbeing and empowerment of children by:

• Taking all responsible steps to protect children from abuse;
• Treating everyone with respect;
• Listening and responding to the views and concerns of children, particularly if they are telling you that they or another child has been abused and/or are worried about their safety or the safety of another;
• Promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal children (for example, by never questioning an Aboriginal child’s self-identification);

• Promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of children with culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds (for example, by having a zero tolerance to discrimination);
• Promoting the safety, participation and empowerment of children with a disability (for example, during personal care activities);
• Ensuring as far as practicable that adults are note left alone with a child;
• Ensuring any allegations of child abuse are reported to Dromana College Child Safety Officer’s – the Assistant Principals and ensure any allegation be reported to the police or child protection;
• Ensuring any child safety concerns are reported to Dromana College Safety Officer’s – the Assistant Principals;
• Ensuring as quickly as possible that the child(ren) are safe, if an allegation of child abuse is made;
• Encouraging children to ‘have a say’ and participate in all relevant organisational activities where possible, especially on issues that are important to them.

A key platform of the College Council is the Strategic Plan.  This document sets the foundation of the College Council and identifies the key areas of interest and attention on an annual basis.  The document represents focused discussion on a range of issues of importance to our school that will ultimately create a better school environment for our students.

During recent years the College Council has addressed many strategic issues.  These reports have been prepared and presented by members of council as well as the Principal and members of the Management Team.  Some of the recent strategic issues that have been considered by council include school bus program, extensive sports program, Healthy Food Campaign, school security and student safety.

Parents or interested persons wishing to make representations to the College Council are invited to complete the election nomination form, which can be found on the Dromana College website.
Any queries can be directed to Shilo Fortuyn at the College on 03 5987 2805 or via email shilo.fortuyn@education.vic.gov.au