School Board

The Catholic Education Council of Darwin recognises the importance of School Boards in providing robust forward-thinking school governance at the local level to ensure that schools meet the present and future spiritual and academic needs of their school community. The Board is responsible for the school’s strategic direction which must be aligned to the strategic direction of the Catholic Education Council including fundamentally the Catholic School Ethos. Operational matters are the responsibility of the Principal.

In fulfilling this strategic role the Board has a responsibility to:

• contribute to the development of the School Strategic Plan, Annual School Improvement Plan, the School Annual Report and Financial Management;
• participate in the school self-assessment and other monitoring processes; and
• monitor and review school performance against identified goals and targets in the School Strategic Plan and the Annual School Improvement Plan.

The following functions would also normally be considered to be responsibilities of the Board:

• The ongoing development of the Catholic ethos of the school, which means promoting the school as a centre of evangelisation (in partnership, where appropriate, with a parish or other Church agencies) in fidelity to the teachings of the Church, diocesan authority, and the special spirituality that animates the school community;
• Being consultative in relation to the appointment of a principal.
• Supporting staff, especially the principal, who will have the day to day responsibility for maintaining and promoting the Catholic ethos of the school.
• Exercising general oversight of the curriculum, but in accordance with any relevant requirements of Government and Catholic education authorities, and without trespassing upon areas of professional educational judgment.
• Overseeing the prudent financial management of the school, particularly with a view to ensuring access to quality education for future generations, and including planning for the provision of future facilities.
• Seeking to ensure that the school fulfills its potential as an option for the disadvantaged, including the poor.
• Providing advice to the principal on any matters referred to it by the principal.
• Developing policies on matters referred to it by the principal or by responsible Catholic education authorities.
• Facilitating the induction and preparation of board members, including ensuring that members understand the scope and extent of their role.

(Manual for School Board Members, February 2019)

The School Board is responsible to the Bishop through the Director of Catholic Education.

St Francis of Assisi’s School Board meets once a month, usually on a Tuesday. The School Board AGM is held in August each year. Nominations are called prior to the meeting. Prospective members are required to meet with the Principal and Parish Priest to discuss the role, function and responsibilities of School Board members.

St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Primary School Board Office Bearers 2019