School Advisory Council Introduction to Terms of Reference - PowerPoint Presentation

1. School Advisory CouncilIntroduction to Terms of Reference

2. OutlineMACSMACS Statement of MissionWorking Together in MissionRole of School Advisory CouncilTerms of Reference for School Advisory CouncilsSchool Advisory Council Manual

3. Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS)The company Archbishop Peter established, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), will govern and operate the schools belonging to the Archdiocese. The move to structure the work of School Advisory Councils around a Terms of Reference, adapted to local context seen through the lens of Working Together in Mission, was designed to accomplish, through subsidiarity, the Statement of Mission’s shared goal by supporting Catholic schools to be eucharistic in character

4. SubsidiarityArising from the consultation during the establishment of MACS it was affirmed that the School Advisory Council is a living expression of the principle of subsidiarity in action and plays a critical role in the system governance of MACS schools.

5. The life of the school and parishCouncils will ensure that, at a local level, Catholic schools will remain 'actively embedded in the life of the faith communities of the local Church, which in turn is tangibly manifest in the life of each school' through the partnership and participation of school, parish and the wider community in the life of the school and parish.

6. Four key documentsThe MACS board, as the governing body, is responsible for making any decision about the establishment of a council and its arrangements. This has been done through the provision of four key documents:MACS Statement of Mission. Working Together in Mission. Terms of Reference for School Advisory Councils. School Advisory Council Manual.

7. Four KeyPapersMACS Statement of Mission

8. In detailMACS Statement of Mission. From Clause 3.2 – Constitution: Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd Working Together in Mission. A Charter for parishes and schools in the Archdiocese of MelbourneTerms of Reference for School Advisory Councils. A MACS template for each school to modify for local context to establish and operationalise their council.School Advisory Council Manual. An outline of MACS base line expectations.

9. Statement of MissionCatholic schooling seeks to provide the young with the best kind of education possible, one that fosters a formation of the whole person that is deeply and enduringly humanisingStatement of Mission

10. is actively embedded in the life of the faith communities of the local Church, which in turn is tangibly manifest in the life of each schoolis an essential place for the evangelising of children and young peopleprioritises the forming of missionary disciples of Jesusexists to assist students and their families to integrate faith, reason, life and cultureis conspicuously Christian in outlook, explicitly Catholic in faith and practice, and intentionally missionary in orientationcultivates spiritual, social and emotional growth in a safe and protective environmentprovides a learning environment in which the whole educational community is formed to embrace life in all its fullnessoffers a human formation that has the intellectual, practical and moral excellence of learners at its heartforms consciences, fosters peace and develops respectful dialogue at the service of intellectual charityencourages the discovery of Catholic cultural heritage, especially in art, music, literature and architectureSource: MACS Statement of MissionA Catholic school….

11. Working Together in MissionParish priests and principals hold distinctive roles of leadership in their parish and school communities, and therefore it is essential that they work collaboratively to ensure that the relationship between parish and school is central to providing the religious leadership necessary for the success of the missionWorking Together in Mission

12. Local discernmentLocal discernment will be required concerning how to conform within the structure and operation of the School Advisory Council with regard to the MACS Terms of Reference (ToR) for School Advisory Councils. Issues to consider may revolve around those areas in the ToR that allow for local context: e.g. the number of parents, staff, students and other coopted experts who may be required to be permanent members or invited to attend from time to time.

13. Role of School Advisory Councils The new governance arrangements were developed, through the consultation process with priests, principals and parents, around the critical role parish priests and the principal have in leading the school's mission with the support of the School Advisory Council. Characteristics central to its role:MissionAdvisory in natureEducational relationshipsWider purposeAnd its articulation

14. MissionA school environment that supports the Catholic ethos is largely the responsibility of the principal, the parish priest and the work of the school staff. The School Advisory Council plays a significant role in supporting the spiritual and educational welfare of students through their support of the principal as delegated authority of the MACS board - the governing body, and of the parish priest as custodian of the mission.

15. Advisory in natureSchool Advisory Councils are advisory bodies and exist to provide support, review and advice to the principal. They do not have a legal identity and do not become involved in the day-to-day management of the school. Through a process of discussion, deliberation and consensus School Advisory Councils ensure advice is authentic and congruent with who we are and what we proclaim.

16. Educational relationships They are nevertheless an important expression of the educational relationships that exists between parents, schools, parishes and the wider community to support all students and this is reflected in the ex officio membership of both the principal and the parish priest on the Council.

17. Wider purposeSchool Advisory Councils provide a structure and a process for shared voices leading to consensus that supports the “effective development of the strategic direction of the school” - Schedule 4 clause 15(1) (a) in Education and Training Reform Regulations 2017. They are an opportunity for parent voice and perspective to be available to the principal and parish priest for the good of school and parish where the wellbeing and outcomes for students is paramount.

18. And its articulationThrough on-going discussion, dialogue and reporting the relationship between the School Advisory Council, Priest and Principal “ensure that a school is clear about its philosophy and can articulate it to staff, students, parents, guardians and the school community.” - Schedule 4 clause 16(1) in Education and Training Reform Regulations 2017.

19. Focus on…Strategic leadership:of the groupby the group in the schoolCouncil relationships: clarity of rolesshared understanding of roles Shared responsibility: Collective response to discussion, deliberation and consensus arrived at for advice given.(Legget B, Campbell-Evans G, 2016)Effective Councils Common Stumbling blocks…Differing expectations and understandings about roles and goals Time spent on the dance floor rather than balcony.Confusing consultation with consensusListening and responding processesCommunication oversights.

20. Terms of ReferenceIn keeping with the objects of the MACS Constitution, which states “The good work of educating the young, undertaken in the light of the Gospel, is a co-responsible task led by every member of the Catholic school community”, the School Advisory Council provides a crucial point of connection between the wider School community and School leaders. The Terms of Reference replaces the constitution as the structure that frames the operation of the School Advisory Council.

21. ConstitutionWritten by the governing body for the governing body A document which outlines the contractual system which establishes the rules and principles by which an organisation is governedNeeds to define powers, responsibilities, roles and principal activities, including the appointment, removal and power of members, procedures for conducting meetings and rules regarding. Shift to Terms of ReferenceTerms of ReferenceWritten by a governing body for a particular group within the organisationA document by a governing body that defines the purpose and structure of a group who have agreed to work together to accomplish a shared goal and a specific taskIncludes some but not all of the elements required in a formal constitution.

22. Purpose of the School Advisory Council Role of the School Advisory CouncilCouncil StructureAppointment and induction of membersThe role of individual council membersKey rolesCommittees and working partiesSchool Advisory Council meetingsEngaging with the school communityRecord keeping Evaluating the work of the councilTerms of Reference: 11 Sections & 9 Guidance notesGuidance Note 1 - School name, logo and visionGuidance Note 2 – Custodian of missionGuidance Note 3 – Council membership with regard to context and typeGuidance Note 4 – Additional overarching structures of multiple schools within a single parish community onlyGuidance Note 5 – How discernment leading to appointment reflects the mission of MACSGuidance Note 6 - Process for appointing membersGuidance Note 7 – Period of appointmentGuidance Note 8 – Induction and supporting new membersGuidance Note 9 – Number of meetings

23. School Advisory CouncilManualThe MACS School Advisory Council Manual contains baseline expectations that parish priests, canonical administrators and principals will need to know about operating School Advisory Councils under the governance of MACS is available here.It will include the Terms of Reference for School Advisory Councils, Working Together in Mission, Statement of Mission, MACS Policies, induction and formation programs, and templates for advertisement for expressions of interest, appointment letter etc.

24. Reference GroupTo ensure that the Manual was practical and reflects the lived experience in schools and parishes, it has been informed by the work of a Reference Group comprised of principals, priests and parents.A Terms of Reference for the work of the Reference Group was written to identify the shared goal and is available here.Their work will conclude in November 2021 with the final copy of the Manual going to the MACS Board for approval.

25. Foreword by Archbishop Peter Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Melbourne What are Catholic schools about?What are School Advisory Councils? Advisory in nature Articulate and supportive What they are What they do List of delegated responsibilities Multiple schools within a single parish community School Advisory Council Manual contentsCouncil Structures Guide to the MACS Terms of Reference for School Advisory Councils Membership Expectations of members Legal status of members Parent voice Succession planning Council Activities Guide to conducting meetings Prayer Agendas and minutes Consensus Induction and formation

26. MACS TemplatesMACS Terms of Reference for School Advisory Councils Template – Letter of AppointmentTemplate – SAC Annual ReportTemplate – SAC Self EvaluationTemplate – ToR CommitteesSuggested ModelsSuggested model – Letter to Parents for new SACSuggested model – SAC AdvertisementSuggested model – SAC AgendaSuggested model – SAC MinutesSchool Advisory Council support documentsSupport Documents and Information HandoutsMACS Code of Conduct for School Advisory Council membersHandout – 10 stagesHandout – Establishing a School Advisory Council Handout – AgendaHandout – MinutesHandout – Prayer at School Advisory CouncilsHandout – Religious Institute and Ministerial Public Juridic Person SchoolsHandout – Role of Association of Canonical AdministratorsHandout – Discernment process for School Advisory Councils

27. Legacy DocumentSteering Committee Position PaperRelated MACS PoliciesConstitution: Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd – Clause 3.2 MACS Governance Framework – MACS Terms of Reference for School Advisory CouncilsMACS Conflict of Interest for All Employees, Contractors and Consultants Policy Child Safety Policy (available from the school)Child Safety Code of Conduct Enrolment Policy MACS School Insurance PolicyMACS Finance & Admin Procedures ManualReferencesThese documents establish, support and maintain the work the Terms of Reference and the Manual and provide further detail of certain aspects of the policy and may be helpful to readers in engaging with the purpose of the School Advisory Council.Foundation DocumentsMACS Statement of Mission – Constitution: Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd, Clause 3.2 Working Together in Mission charterHorizons of Hope Foundation Statement: Families as partners in Catholic school communities.Legal and regulatory citationsEducation and Training Reform Regulations 2017 (Vic.), Schedule 4 clause 16Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) minimum standardsWorker Screening Act 2020, Chapter 3Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic), section 37.

28. Web page linksIn addition to all of the above resources, three introductory videos are available on the web page: Two on the Home page introduce the aims and purpose of School Advisory Councils+PAC : https://youtu.be/aGMQFCRsE4c MACS Chair: https://youtu.be/JV2AOdzA2XAAnd one on how to Establishing a School Advisory Council: https://youtu.be/yBRy9g_FqyQ

29. 1. Read and become familiar with the following:MACS Statement of MissionWorking Together in MissionTerms of Reference for School Advisory Councils. School Advisory Council Manual2. View the following web sites:MACS: Who we areMACS: Why MACS?School Advisory Councils3. Review and modify Terms of Reference for School Advisory Councils to your context.4. Formally move to close the PEAB and establish SAC adopting your modified Terms of Reference for your schoolNext steps5. Communicate with your community by promoting the links above, referring people to FAQ and by adding the following to the school’s website. - Further information about School Advisory Councils can be found on the following MACS links:School Advisory Councils Parents as PartnersFamilies as PartnersFamily and Community Engagement