Parents' Council

Members and Role of LCC Parents Council 2023/24

Role of LCC Parents Council (LCCPC)

The Parents Council is one of three advisory councils in LCC which also includes the Teachers Council and the Students Council. Each council is part of a partnership to provide the best education for our students.

Teamwork, respect and the pursuit of excellence are guiding principles of LCC. Each council must keep these principles in mind when making decisions that will have implications for the college. By working together in partnership and by respecting each other we can build an excellent college and be true to the mission of LCC.

Here are some activities the Parents Council:

• Organising information/social events for new parents to the school
• Organising welcome events for new students to the school
• Arranging talks on topics of interest to school parents
• Providing support/organisational input to major school events, e.g. concerts etc.
• Channelling parents’ views on school policy issues to the school.
• Contributing to school newsletter
• Organising Fund Raising Events for the school

Constitution of LCC Parents Council (LCCPC)

1. Name:
   The name of the Association shall be the Luttrellstown Community College Parents Council (LCCPC).
   
   
2. Mission Statement:
   The Parents Council will work in partnership with LCC authorities and the other college councils to promote a happy and caring community where students are encouraged and supported to reach their full potential.
   
   
3. Aims and Objectives:

To support the management and staff of the college to develop a suitable environment that will provide the best education for the students.

• To foster good relations between parents, teachers, students, principal and the Board of Management.
• To encourage parental involvement and participation in cultural, social and sporting school activities through partnership between parents, teachers and school management.
• To engage in fundraising activities to help provide additional finance for the college
• To offer parents programmes and information which might help them fulfil their role as the primary educators of their children.

4. Membership:

All parents or legal guardians of students attending the college shall be automatic members of the Parents Council.

5. Committee:

• The Parents Council shall elect a Committee to represent parents/guardians.
• Election of members to serve on the Committee of the Parents Council will take place at the Annual Meeting to be held in the first term each year. Outgoing members will be eligible for re-election.
• The committee shall consist of up to 25 parents.
• All members of the committee must be parents or legal guardians of students currently enrolled in the college
• The committee will elect its officers from within its members at the first meeting after the A.G.M. to include: chairperson, secretary and treasurer.
• The committee may form sub-committees to assist in specific areas, such as, information evenings, fund raising, policy evaluation etc. All such sub-committees must be approved by the Principal.
• The College Principal and a member of the teaching staff may attend meetings as ex-officio members of the committee.
• No officers on the committee shall serve in the same position beyond three consecutive terms.
• The committee will meet at least 5 times each year.
• A quorum of at least 40% of committee members will be necessary for meetings to be held. Any member who is absent for more than 3 consecutive meetings, without a valid reason, shall be deemed to have resigned.
• Individual students, parents or teachers will not be discussed at meetings.
• The committee shall have the power to call on any member to resign, if such member whether by act, deed or otherwise fails to uphold the constitution of the Parents Council. If such a member fails to resign, he or she shall be suspended by a majority vote of the committee.
• The committee shall have the authority to co-opt up to five parents in any one year.
• The committee, with the approval of the Principal, may invite non-members to be present at their meetings or to speak to the other partners if they believe that their expertise will be of benefit to the college.
• Minutes of all meetings shall be kept by the secretary who shall present the minutes to the committee for approval at the next meeting
• In the event of a vote being taken, the method of voting (open or closed) at committee meetings and general meetings will be decided by the committee. Results will be decided by a simple majority of those present. In the event of a tied vote the chairperson will have a casting vote. Proxy votes will not be accepted and each parent or legal guardian will be entitled to one vote.

6. Finance:

• A bank account will be opened in the name of Luttrellstown Community College Parent Council.
• Two of the three signatories on the account will sign cheques.
• The treasurer shall keep a true and accurate account of all income and spending which will be available on request.
• Accounts will be prepared annually for submission to the Annual General Meeting of parents.
• Accounts will be prepared annually for submission to the Board of management.
• Parent Council funds can only be spent with the approval of the committee and following consultation with school management. An annual sum of €1,500 will be lodged from the Parent Voluntary Contribution to the LCCPC account. This sum will fund the Merit Awards and other school based schemes.
• All monies collected will be used for the benefit of the college.

7. Amendments to this Constitution:

• The Constitution shall not be altered, added to, or rescinded, in whole or in part, except by a resolution adapted by a two-thirds majority at the Annual General Meeting. At least two week's notice of any proposed amendments must be provided in writing to the secretary of the committee.

8. Official Statements and Representations:

• No member of the committee other than the Chairperson or member nominated either by the Chairperson or by the committee shall make any official or public statement or representation on behalf of the committee. All such statements will be communicated to the Principal in advance for approval.

9. Liaison with College Authorities:

• Liaison with the college shall normally be maintained through correspondence by the Chair or by deputation nominated by the Chairperson with the Principal or his nominees.

10. Parents Council and Management of the College

• The Council shall have no part in the overall management of the college, which is the responsibility of the Board of Management, or in the day to day running of the college which is the responsibility of the Principal.
• The committee in discharging its functions recognise that the examination and resolution of problems relating to individual pupils or parents will be for determination between the individual pupil and/or his parents and the School Authorities.
• The committee also recognises that matters concerning the College Curriculum and its implementation are the function of the School Authorities.

11. Reports

• The committee shall present a report of its activities during the preceding year, including a financial statement, to the PC’s Annual General Meeting.

Minutes of LCC Parent's Council Meetings

8th November 2021

AGM 16th November 2021

LCC PC Newsletters

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