Full course description
Date and time
Term 1
Tuesday 3 March 2026, 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm
Tuesday 10 March 2026, 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm
Tuesday 17 March 2026, 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm
Term 2
TBC
Term 3
TBC
Term 4
TBC
Delivery Mode
Online
Audience
This learning event is right for you if you are a Board or Council member of a school looking to understand your governance role.
Cost
Member Price $900 & Non-Member Price $1800
Description
The School Governance Course is the leading governance training option for Victoria’s independent schooling sector. This industry-specific, comprehensive training program is designed for school governing body members and senior executives who want to place their governance capabilities on a firm footing. Successful completion of the School Governance Course empowers participants to confidently fulfil their governance duties and add value to their organisation.
Key Takeaways
• Clear understanding of governance roles and responsibilities
• Stronger board-level decision-making skills
• Practical financial oversight confidence
• Strategic and risk-informed leadership capability
• Improved board effectiveness and stakeholder engagement
| Modules | Description | Date and time |
| 1. Defining governance roles | Discover corporate governance models and understand the vital roles and functions that governing bodies and individual governors play in the effective oversight of an organisation. | Tuesday 3 March 2026, 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm |
| 2. Legal environment and director duties | Understand the complex regulatory environment in which independent schools and their governing bodies operate and gain an appreciation of the significant legal and fiduciary duties of directors. | Tuesday 10 March 2026, 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm |
| 3. Decision-making supported by board processes | Comprehend board decision-making processes and techniques, and explore how leading practice agendas, minutes, board calendars and executive reports support governors in determining effective resolutions. | Tuesday 17 March 2026, 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm |
| 4. Financial reporting | Recognise why financial literacy is a fundamental requirement for any governing body member and learn about balance sheets, income and cash flow statements and how they relate to one another. | TBC |
| 5. Monitoring financial performance | Develop competency in guiding a school’s financial performance by interpreting financial ratios and understanding the budgeting process with a specific emphasis on the prohibition to trade while insolvent. | TBC |
| 6. Executive oversight and development | Foster proficiency in assessing, overseeing and reviewing the performance of the Principal/CEO and understand the different roles the governing body performs with respect to the school’s most senior executive. | TBC |
| 7. Strategic planning | Expand your understanding of the board’s role in setting and implementing organisational strategy and developing performance measures to monitor progress and delivery of strategic imperatives. | TBC |
| 8. Risk management framework | Understand current risk frameworks and the board’s role in articulating risk appetite, implementing risk governance systems and monitoring strategic and operational risks. | TBC |
| 9. Compliance and policy framework | Learn about policy and compliance frameworks and engage with compliance management processes to assist your governing body in meeting its reporting and accountability requirements | TBC |
| 10. Stakeholder engagement and networking | Comprehend the importance and value of developing networks and explore the use of stakeholder engagement tools. | TBC |
| 11. Board effectiveness | Identify how the elements of board performance evaluation, induction, succession planning, board development and director protection contribute to the effectiveness of a governing body. | TBC |
| 12. Boardroom dynamics | Explore typical board room dynamics and understand how individual and collective behaviours can impact a governing body’s decision-making and performance. | TBC |