What is the VicSRC?

We're students from across Victoria who have set up a democratic network of Student Representative Councils. We're working to strengthen SRCs so they can speak and act on behalf of secondary students in schools and throughout Victoria. Student conferences identified a need for a statewide organisation or network of school students, so the VicSRC was established in 2001. It is entirely student owned and run, although supported by many organisations and individuals.

The main thing to remember is: VicSRC is a student run, organised and initiated organisation run for the benefit of students.

An elected Student Executive gives direction to the VicSRC staff, sets policy, communicates with SRCs and helps strengthen and promote the aims of the VicSRC. The Executive’s job is to represent what is actually being said via student councils across the state. Students can join the Student Executive by nominating for a place at our annual Congress meeting.

A Coordinator is employed for four days per week to support the VicSRC Executive to grow and develop the VicSRC.

The VicSRC is currently auspiced by the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic). YACVic is the peak body and leading policy advocate on young people’s issues in Victoria.

Since 2008 the VicSRC has recieved funding from the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

What's the Point?

Where there are effective structures in and between schools to represent students, students have a voice and are able to work to bring about changes. In the same way, if student representative bodies are able to work together and are recognised by the rest of the education system, they have the potential to represent students on important education issues. Through representation, students are able to have a say, contribute to the education system that surrounds them and become increasingly engaged in important decisions.

Learn from and help each other

Combine together to focus our many schools' strength on specific activities/issues, increasing our effectiveness

Create a united student voice, which could be heard throughout the education system.

To strengthen SRCs

* By improving the operation of student representative bodies within secondary schools in Victoria

* By supporting networks between schools at a local level

* By increasing the profile of student representative bodies in the community

To be a representative body for Victorian secondary school students
* By providing a network linking students ands student representative bodies across Victoria

* By providing a recognised and student based structure to speak on behalf of secondary students

To facilitate and co-ordinate action by secondary students at all levels

* By supporting projects, initiatives, and any related activities that secondary students could participate in, and which would be more effective on a larger scale

* By coordinating appropriate activities at a state wide level

To be democratic and particpatory
By encouraging students to understand, practise and experience democracy, by being included in decision making at all levels