School Association

Who are members of the association?

The following people are automatically members of their school association:

  • all parents (parents or guardians who have children or young people enrolled at the school)
  • all staff (permanent and fixed-term employees at the school), including the principal.

Community members who do not have a child enrolled at the school need to apply to become a member of the school association.

Why is the association important?

The association allows members to share their knowledge and skills. Members can work with the principal to achieve shared outcomes for learners and the whole school.

Parent and community engagement in the school is important, as it:

  • creates a collaborative culture within the school
  • uses existing community strengths to benefit all learners
  • enhances teamwork between staff, parents and the community
  • role models good citizenship to learners
  • inspires and helps learners to succeed
  • helps create better understanding between the local community and school
  • facilitates a good understanding of the value and benefits of education
  • provides adult learning opportunities
  • supports opportunities for creative thinking
  • creates community support.

Research shows that children do better at school when their families are involved and engaged in their education.

What is the school association committee?

Each school association has a committee. School association members choose the people to sit on the committee through elections. The committee represents the school association and carries out administrative and decision-making activities. Committee members work with the school to:

  • develop school policies and improvement plans
  • shape school objectives, priorities, strategic directions and values
  • plan the financial arrangements to support these activities
  • check the school’s performance on these activities
  • select the principal, where a permanent vacancy exists
  • foster the value and benefits of education
  • encourage co-operation among teachers, students, parents and the school community.

Visit the School Association Committees page to find out more.

How can I be involved in the association?

As a member of the association you can:

  • attend general meetings of the association
  • nominate for the association committee
  • where they exist, join a subcommittee of the association committee
  • support association events or fundraising.

Need more information?

  • Contact your school or college, including:
    • any current member of your school association committee
    • the principal or staff at your school
  • 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).

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.