Under the Western Australian Department of Education framework, a Parents and Citizens’ Association (P&C) has an important but very distinct role within a public school community. Its responsibilities are primarily centred onÌýpartnership, advocacy, community engagement, and supporting the schoolÌý— rather than managing operational or staffing matters.
Key responsibilities of a P&C in WA include:
- promoting the interests of the school through cooperation between parents, staff, students, and the wider community;
- fostering community engagement and supporting positive school culture;
- providing a forum for parents and community members to appropriately discuss matters relevant to the school community;
- raising funds or providing resources for the benefit of students and the school;
- supporting school activities, events, and initiatives;
- advocating broadly for public education and student wellbeing;
- working collaboratively and respectfully with the principal and school leadership.
P&Cs are incorporated bodies affiliated with WACSSO (the Western Australian Council of State School Organisations). Importantly, under WA Department of Education governance arrangements, P&Cs do not:
- manage the day-to-day operations of the school;
- investigate allegations against staff;
- direct staff performance or disciplinary processes;
- determine student management matters;
- replace formal student protection or complaints procedures.
Those responsibilities sit with the principal and the Department of Education through formal processes and student protection frameworks.
If a P&C member is involved in raising concerns, complaints, allegations, or questions about a particular matter or a child, a conflict of interest may exist if:
- The child is their own child.
- The child is closely connected to them (family member, close friend, or adversarial relationship).
- They stand to gain or lose personally from the outcome.
- Their involvement could reasonably be seen as compromising their objectivity.
For example:
- A parent committee member discussing a disciplinary matter involving their own child should generally declare an interest and remove themselves from any decision-making.
- A committee member pursuing concerns about another child may have a perceived conflict that should be disclosed.
It is also worth noting that student welfare, behaviour, enrolment, staffing, and operational matters are generally school matters rather than P&C matters. P&Cs typically should not become involved in individual student or staff cases. Those matters are handled by the Principal and the Department of Education under separate policies and confidentiality requirements.
The Shenton Parents and Citizens Association is involved in a host of school activities, and provides a range of volunteer assistance, fundraising, and initiatives to strengthen important bonds with our community.
A key initiative of the P&C in 2019 was the establishment of a ¹ú²úÇø¸£ÀûÍø Alumni Program, creating a community of former students plus current and former staff. For ¹ú²úÇø¸£ÀûÍø, this includes those students who attended Hollywood and Swanbourne Senior High Schools.
The Shenton Alumni Program aims to provide opportunities for alumni to network with each other, plus give back to the College and support a number of student endeavours. For example – mentoring, coaching, presentations, service and financial support.
Other P&C initiatives include the Sustainable Schools Shop, a service which allows parents to .
The P&C Association also helps fund several school projects including the school psychologists and chaplains program supporting student wellbeing.
Elected Positions 2026
President: Thomas Simpson
Vice President: Janine Roets
Treasurer: Francene Leaversuch
School Board Rep: Thomas Simpson
Secretary : Rosemary Clough
FoMS Secretary: Kristen Blesing-Gardner
Upcoming Meetings 2026
Thursday 19th FebruaryÌý (Term 1 – AGM)
Thursday 26th MarchÌý (Term 1) Ìý
Thursday 7th MayÌý (Term 2)
Thursday 6th AugustÌý (Term 3)
Our AGM meeting will take place in the HUB Auditorium, commencing at 5.30pm and conclude by 7.00pm
All remaining meetings will be held online through Microsoft Teams – if you would like to attend and are not already a member of the P&C, please email the P&C Secretary to receive the necessary Microsoft Teams invite.