The school association committee is an elected group of school association members. The committee represents the association.
The committee undertakes administrative and decision-making activities on behalf of the association and for the benefit of the school.
Why get involved?
Being a committee member is a rewarding role and a valued and recognised commitment. Members’ skills and knowledge are used to support the school and to contribute to helping learners succeed.
The committee itself is also a place of learning where members develop experience and new skills.
What are the roles in the committee?
At the first meeting following its election, the committee elects the following office holders:
- a chairperson (who must be a parent member or a community member, not an employee of the department)
- a deputy chairperson (who can be a parent member or a community member, and where possible not an employee of the department)
- a secretary (can be a parent member, community member or staff member)
- a treasurer (can be a parent member, community member or staff member).
Is the principal a member of the committee?
The principal is the one permanent member of the committee. This means they are not subject to election or rotation of office.
The principal is not counted as a staff member in the committee. The committee can have up to three staff members. This means that the committee can include three staff members, plus the principal.
How many committee members are there?
The committee must consist of a minimum of five members. To ensure the committee is representative of the association members, it must have:
- not less than three parent members
- not more than three community members, and
- at least one staff member, but no more than three staff members.
This means that for a committee to form it must, at a minimum, consist of:
- the principal
- a staff member
- three parent members.
The maximum number of committee members depends on your association constitution. This is found in the Register of current School Association Constitutions.
How often does the committee meet?
The committee meets at least once per term.
How can I get involved in the committee?
If you are a member of the association you can nominate to stand on the committee. To stand for election you need to complete a nomination form.
Committee ballots take place before the end of the school association year, or if there is a vacancy. The chairperson or principal can give you more information about your committee. They can explain when nominations for the committee are due and what roles are available.
MS Teams for School Association Committees
The department provides a Microsoft Teams site for the school association committee of each Tasmanian Government School. Access to a consistent electronic platform assists with resource sharing and document storage. It also helps with the transfer of knowledge and information as committee members change.
All of the resources listed below are also available within the Teams sites.
School Association Committee Handbook
Information about the administration and procedures of a school association committee is available in the School Association Committee Handbook. The handbook also links to editable forms and templates that committees can use. These help to make administrative requirements simple and straightforward.
The forms and templates are also available here:
- Template 1 School Association Appointment of Community Member (optional form)
- Template 2 School Association Member Register (optional template)
- Template 3 Checklist – Holding Elections
- Template 4 School Association Committee Nomination (optional form)
- Template 5 School Association Committee Ballot Paper (optional template)
- Template 6 Amending the School Association Constitution (optional form)
- Template 7 School Association Agenda (optional template)
- Template 8 School Association Minutes (optional template)
- Template 9 Checklist – Holding Annual General Meetings
- Template 10 School Association Motion Table
- Template 11 School Association – Motions – What, Why and How
- Template 12 Subcommittee Terms of Reference (optional template)
- Template 13 Restricted Activity Application Form (mandatory form)
- Template 14 Inability to Form or Maintain School Association Committee Form (optional form)
Other resources
Frequently asked questions about School Associations contains commonly asked questions about school associations.
Secretary’s Instruction No 7 for School Associations issues directions for the formation, operation and administration of school associations.
Ministerial Instruction No 12 for School Associations outlines the process a school association must follow to apply for approval to undertake a restricted activity.
Roles and Responsibilities of Parents in School Associations is an online learning module that explores how school associations and school association committees work.
Need more information?
- Contact your school or college, including:
- any current member of your school association committee
- the principal or staff at your school
- Visit the School Associations webpage
- Contact the Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations (TASSO) at info@tasso.org.au, or on (03) 6243 7718
- Email your enquiry to schoolassociations@decyp.tas.gov.au, or
- Phone the Department for Education, Children and Young People on 1800 816 057 (free call).