Home / Learning and Development / Effective Governance Practice

Effective Governance Practice

Unpack the roles, responsibilities
and liabilities of school board members

AUDIENCE
School Board and Council Members from ISV Member Schools
FOCUS
School Board Governance
NEXT INTAKE
2025
DURATION
1 day in-person, 4 online sessions, or on demand.
DELIVERY MODE
Online, in person or on demand.
COST
Free of charge

School board members are faced with a myriad of challenges as they navigate the role and manage the responsibilities associated with governing an independent school.

To make this less daunting, Independent Schools Victoria (ISV) has been offering school governance training for almost two decades.

School board and council members can now register for the 2024 training programs.

All training is conducted from the board member’s perspective. The content of Twilight Seminar Series 1-3 are repeated at the in-person Governance Forum.

Only representatives from ISV Member Schools can attend this training which is fully subsidised.

“This is a must for all board members.”

— Previous participant

In person

Governance Forum

This forum provides you with insights into:

  • Understanding your governance roles and responsibilities
  • How to manage a crisis in your school
  • Understanding your risk management obligations
  • Role requirements of the Chair and the Principal
  • Financial literacy required to meet your governance obligations.

This forum also provides you with an opportunity to network with other Independent school governors.

This year’s Governance Forum has now passed. It will be held again in 2025.

On demand

Online, self-paced course

This self-paced online course features the recordings from the 2023 governance twilight seminar series under four modules covering the following topics:

  • Module 1: Introduction to School Boards: The basics
    • Understanding your governance roles and responsibilities
  • Module 2: Governance vs Management
    • The role of the Principal
    • The role of the Chair
  • Module 3: Governance and Risk Management in Schools
    • Understanding your risk management obligations
  • Module 4: Understanding Board Responsibilities
    • Financial Literacy
    • Compliance and Accountability

Time commitment
This course covers 4.5 hours of presentational content along with knowledge questions and supporting resources.

Why attend?

  • Better understand your governance roles and responsibilities
  • Learn how to manage a crisis in your school
  • Understand your risk management obligations
  • Unpack the role requirements of the Chair and the Principal
  • Examine the financial literacy required to meet your governance obligations
“As a relatively new Board member, I have come away with a much better appreciation of my role.”

— Previous participant

Useful governance resources

More information

Kate Anderson
Executive Support Manager
Independent Schools Victoria
kate.anderson@is.vic.edu.au

Related Programs