Family Engagement
Parent Helpers
Parents are invited to participate in the Classroom Helpers program, to assist in classrooms and to accompany students on excursions.
Each year we run a Parent Helper Course, designed to prepare parents to work under the guidance of the classroom teacher in order to support small groups of students during the Literacy Block.
All volunteers are required to have a current Working With Children card and sign a Volunteer’s agreement, in line with the school’s Child Safety Policy.
Parent Seminars and Workshops
St. Mary’s provides seminars and workshops each term, to engage parents in various learning programs in the school.
These evenings can take the form of a seminar presented by St. Mary’s Staff or guest speakers, or be a workshop where parents and children come together to engage in learning experiences.
These sessions provide parents with opportunities to discover more about learning at St. Mary’s and to walk away with useful tips and resources to assist them in supporting their child at home.
Topics across the year may include social-emotional learning, cybersafety, numeracy, literacy and faith education.
Parents & Friends
The Parents and Friends Committee is a vital fundraising and social arm of the school, upon which the school relies for fundraising, which contributes towards much needed resources and facilities for students.
The students at St. Mary’s greatly benefit not only from the fundraising done by the PnF, but through their parents involvement in the school. When students see their parents involved in their school, this helps to strengthen their own connectedness to school, which impacts positively on learning.
The PnF provides an excellent avenue for being connected to the school community on a social level. By getting involved in the PnF, parents make friendships that last for many years to come.
Parents have an opportunity to nominate for various positions on the PnF. There are many opportunities for social functions ranging from informal gatherings to major fund-raising activities. The parents also maintain the grounds and buildings at Working Bees, which are held throughout each year.
At the beginning of each school year, Class Parent Representatives are appointed. It is the role of these parents to coordinate a fundraising event. The Class Reps also coordinate the distribution of parent names and addresses (once permission is given) for their ‘class’.
