For Students

Students can participate formally in decision-making in schools through:

• Membership of school council
• Membership of student representative councils

Students on school council are equal members and like other school council members represent the whole school community rather than the views or interests of a particular group (in this case, students). As equal members of school council students need to understand the roles and responsibilities of the council and to participate fully in the development of policy and the strategic plan. VICCSO encourages students on school council to access school council training via the Education Department's online resources and by attending school council training sessions (ask your principal or contact VICCSO).

Membership on a student representative council can, like membership of school council, be both rewarding and frustrating. There is a huge potential for SRC's to be a genuine voice for students in schools and to provide real democratic participation in decision-making over all of the issues which affect students. But there are many obstacles that SRC's face, from a lack of skills and knowledge to resistance within schools to students participating in decision-making processes rather than just giving feedback to the decision-makers.

VICCSO supports the development of structures, processes and a culture within schools which support and nurture student participation in democratic decision-making. Specific support and resources are available from VicSRC which is a democratic network of Student Representative Councils in secondary schools. VICCSO is also happy to support students who are active or seeking to be active on their school council or Student Representative Council or Junior school Council. VICCSO and VicSRC are currently working together to enhance the capacity of schools to have robust democratic participation in decision-making which is inclusive of all groups within school communities.