The assistance of volunteers in the classrooms is very
welcome. The school is always in need of
extra help from both school families and the wider community.
In our experience it is generally more effective if
parents’ assistance is in a class other than that of one's own child. Some children find the presence of their
parent in their classroom a distraction. It is suggested that parents participate
in a familiarisation session before arranging for a trial period of classroom
support.
Our school has many volunteers each year and while their
efforts make a great difference to our students’ learning it also makes a great
difference to the lives of the volunteers.
It is a requirement of the Education Act that the
P&C maintain a register of volunteers and that volunteers sign on and off as they enter and leave the school,
for Workplace Health and Safety and insurance purposes. This register also
assists in us knowing the number of people on site during Emergency Procedures
(eg Evacuation or Lock In).
All volunteers
and other visitors must report to the Office on arrival at the School.
The P&C carries an insurance policy to provide cover
for registered volunteers. All
volunteers are required to complete an application form during their interview
and induction with the Principal / Deputy Principal.
The comprehensive selection and induction process
conducted with all volunteers includes:
- having a ‘Blue
Card’ from the Commission for Children and Young People if not a parent of a
current student at the school,
- completion of
application form,
- induction with a
senior member of staff, and trial work period.