ISG School Council training – frequently asked questions.

ISG training is FREE! There is no cost to schools or council members to host or participate. Training is fully funded by DE.

Training is offered throughout the school year, commencing in Term 1, and is available through to the end of Term 4 via face-to-face or virtual (live) sessions. Session dates and times are flexible and can be tailored to suit the needs of individual schools.  

Please click the Book to host an ISG training event button at the bottom of this page. Select the module(s) and format and indicate preferred date/s. You will be contacted to confirm details including the format, time and date. Upon confirmation of details a facilitator will be booked, the event will be published, and you will be provided with information for how to register and enroll in the event, and preparation for on the day. 

Each council member attending a training event must be registered and enrolled prior to the session. 

Individual council members can register themselves via the event registration link or by logging into the online booking system. Alternatively, council members are welcome to contact the SCT team, who can register and enroll them on their behalf.

As per Departmental guidelines, and to ensure the quality of each training session, a minimum of 10 enrolled participants is required for virtual Governance, Strategic Planning and Finance sessions, while virtual President training requires a minimum number of eight enrolled participants.

Virtual sessions are capped at a maximum of 25 participants, and face-to-face sessions at 30 participants*. 

*Synergistiq and the Department are committed to ensuring that ISG training is accessible to all school council members including those from regional and/or diverse school settings. Please phone (03) 9946 6800 or email [email protected] to discuss specific training needs for your school council. 

No, each training session focuses on 1 of the 4 modules (Governance, Finance, Strategic Planning and  President) only. Student council member sessions are tailored for students.  

Both virtual and face-to-face sessions run for 2 hours and 15 minutes. Sessions are tightly scheduled and as such, must commence on time.  

For face-to-face training events, the facilitator will arrive approximately 30 minutes prior to the start time of the session, unless other arrangements have been made directly with the host school. 

Virtual (live) sessions commence with a 15-minute registration period followed by 2 hours of training. The facilitator will open the event approximately 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the session. 

For face-to-face events, the host school is asked to provide: 

• the name and mobile phone number of the person who will be the contact at the event 
• details of the room/building where training will place 
• a suitable/room space for the number of enrolled participants 
• a chair and desk/table space for each attendee, and  
• a laptop with internet access and large screen. 

We also ask that a staff member is assigned to open the building, disable the security system (if required), and make any other necessary access arrangements to enable the facilitator to set up for the session.  Likewise, please ensure there is a staff member assigned to close and secure the building at the end of the session. 

For face-to-face events open to other schools, it is also recommended that the host school council invites council members in their networks to attend by forwarding the digital event flyer provided by Synergistiq.

No, the host school is welcome to provide tea, coffee and/or other refreshments, however, this is not a requirement. 

School council members wishing to attend a training session, whether a face-to-face or virtual (live) event, must register and enroll via the ISG online booking system. School councillor members are required to provide their full name, email address, school, role on school council and member type.
Upon enrolment for both face-to-face and virtual (live) events, participants will receive a confirmation email with session details and Zoom login information (for virtual, live events).

Two days prior to virtual (live) training, enrolled participants will receive a reminder email including session details and Zoom login information.

Two days prior to face-to-face events, enrolled participants will receive a reminder email with session details (host school address, venue and time) and access to the ISG Reference Guide.

For effective facilitation and training for virtual (live) events, each participant should have their own laptop/tablet, allowing for effective online interaction and enabling the facilitator to easily identify and engage with each participant. 

For effective facilitation and training for face-to-face events, each participant should bring a laptop/tablet, note pad and pen. 

You’re welcome to send through any questions you may have prior to training to [email protected].  Alternately, questions are encouraged and welcomed by facilitators during training.

Participants enrolled in virtual, live events will receive access to the digital ISG Reference Guide at the start of the training session.

Participants enrolled in face-to-face training will receive access to the digital ISG Reference Guide in their reminder email two days prior to the event.

For any other questions, please call the SCT team on (03) 9946 6800 (select option 2) or email [email protected].