TCS Governance School Board formation Focus of the

TCS Governance School Board formation

Focus of the session • know the hierarchy of TCS instruments of governance and their purpose • understand how these instruments of governance are applied

What is governance? … the set of responsibilities and practices, policies and procedures, exercised by an agency’s executive to provide strategic direction, ensure objectives manage risk, and use resources responsibly and with accountability to achieve the vision and mission of the organisation. Australian National Audit Office and Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, 2006, Implementation of Programme and Policy Initiatives: Making Implementation Matter, Better Practice Guide, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.

• it also encompasses the important role of leadership in ensuring that sound governance practices are instilled throughout an organisation • on a daily basis, governance is typically about the way TCS employees make decisions and implement policies Australian Public Service Commission, 2007, Contemporary Government Challenges, Building Better Governance, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.

Overview of TCS governance Bishop under Canon 806 …. has the right to issue directives concerning the general regulation of catholic schools; these directives apply also to schools conducted by members of religious institutes, although they retain their autonomy in the internal management of their schools.

Overview of TCS governance The Bishop • is advised by the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Council AND • delegates responsibility and authority to the Executive Director: Catholic Schools.

Getting the balance right performance compliance

When do we need

TCS instruments of governance – the hierarchy

who, when Policy – what and why Framework – what and why Procedure - ‘must’ how Guideline – ‘good practice’ how Position paper – ‘ what and how’ about an issue ‘at this point in time’

Policy – must be adopted without adaption Framework – must be adopted without adaption Procedure – must be followed Guideline – can be followed Position paper – recommended actions

Policy – if one exists a school can’t create its own Framework – if one exists can’t a school can’t create its own Procedure – if one exists, must follow it Guideline – if one exists, use it to create school’s own procedure OR follow it Position paper – if one exists, follow it

Why? • • • legislation accountability complexity system-ness unity

Implementing TCSC policy requires or triggers TCS and/or school framework, procedure and/or guideline

How do we know what is required… • interpreted from the policy statement • stated in the consequences/actions • explained at Leadership Forums • communicated in Circulars

Who determines what is ‘triggered’… • Executive Director: Catholic Schools has delegation and authority to determine how TCSC policy is implemented in Toowoomba Catholic schools • collaborative decision making with Executive Leadership Team • advice from TCSO team and principals • reporting back to the TCSC on how and the impact of policy • principals determine this for their school if there isn’t a TCS framework or procedure

Examples TCSC Conflict of interest declaration policy required and triggered • TCS Conflict of interest declaration procedure • TCS Code of conduct (inclusion of conflict of interest) • TCS Conflict of interest declaration training materials

Examples TCSC Student behaviour support policy required and triggered • TCS Student behaviour support guideline • TCS Formal behaviour sanctions procedure required • School student behaviour support plan (procedure)

What about TCS policy… TCS Acceptable use of ICT systems and resources policy triggered • • • TCS Acceptable use agreement templates for primary and secondary students TCS AUP staff and parent education materials TCS recommended curriculum materials required • schools to use templates, engage staff and parents in education to understand the policy, implement curriculum to support students understanding and ensure all students have a signed AU agreement

…and school policy… School boards are to • know and understand TCSC and TCS policy • provide advice to principals in the development and review of school policy Principals are to • explain TCSC and TCS policy to the School Board, staff and families and describe how it is implemented in their school (written procedures and guidelines) • report to the School Board on the impact and outcomes of implementation of TCSC, TCS and school policies

…and school policy… Examples of school policy may include • Use of owned mobile technologies during school hours • Homework • School uniform • 1 to 1 and BYOD These should be contextual and in response to setting a standard or changing behaviours.

Ensuring a policy is a policy and not a procedure…

On the intranet… • Policy and Procedure Register (PPR) • Toowoomba Catholic Schools governance