...some items to explain the role of the parents, some pratical manuals to inform and help you. These items are, for the most part, found on the site of the F.A.P.E.E., (Fédération des Associations de Parents d'élèves des Etablissements d'enseignement français à l'Etranger), from which we have "fished" the information which we consider to be useful. The Jean Giono Parents' Association is a member of the F.A.P.E.E.

A school council (conseil d'école) is set up in all establishments which are composed of a place of primary level teaching which is under the responsibility of a school head teacher.

When the establishment is only comprised of primary teaching, the 'conseil d'école' carries out the tasks of the board of governors.

A committe responsible for the internal organisation of a secondary school (conseil du second degré)   is set up in establishments where there is secondary level teaching.

A board of governors (conseil d’établissement) reponsible for the primary and secondary teaching and, should it be necessary, the post-bac classes is set up as soon as a 'conseil d'école' and an a 'conseil du second degré' exist within the establishment.

In our establishment, for practical reasons, there is no 'conseil du second degré'. In our case the board of governors assumes the task of this body.

The representatives are chosen by a voting system of the proportional respresentation type. The lists of candidates may be presented either:

1. by the parent's association which is affiliated to a federation or to a national union of parent' associations (as is thcase of the lycée Chateaubriand which is affiliated to the Fapée): or
2. by the parents' association (A.P.E); or
3. by the parents who are not grouped into an association;

The list of candidates should not be changed or deleted as doing so would invalidate the election. Since December 2004 every parent may cast a legible vote in these elections, regardless of their matrimonial situation (except in certain cases of inelegibility)