A rural school named Help-each-other is being established to provide quality education to all learners in the school district. All national and provincial legislative requirements have been put in place for the school to start. However, all the members of the newly elected school governing board do not understand the board's role and purpose. As an education law expert, you are approached to guide the newly appointed board and explain the legal status of the school, the difference between school management and governance, who serves on the governing board, and what the governing body is required to do in terms of the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996