Involvement opportunities
Class Representatives
At Balnarring Primary School, each class has their own parent Class Representative who has an important role to:
- enhance connections between parents in our school community
- to assist classroom teachers with enlisting classroom help and assistance
Their contribution is greatly valued as they provide support for the teacher when requested, encourage and co-ordinate Parent Helpers for classroom activities, excursions and camps, organise group social functions and help foster positive relationships within the parental group and their children.
Classroom Helpers
There are a number of ways for parents and friends to be involved in the life of the school. Classroom teachers and the specialist staff greatly appreciate the support given by our many volunteers.
One avenue of such support is via the ‘Classroom Helpers’ program.
At the beginning of each of the first three school terms, an information session is held for parents interested in working in the classrooms and contributing to the educational program. The session covers the areas where helpers are needed and how their participation can be the most effective for everyone. It also points out the need for a current Working with Children Check (WWCC), OHS requirements and the signing of the Balnarring Primary School Confidentiality Agreement.
Helpers may be asked to support individual students with their reading or writing efforts, to practise their recognition of high frequency words or maybe to work in the maths field, helping individual or small groups of students practise their number recognition, number facts to 20 or those times tables! The classroom teachers may ask their helpers to work with children on a number of specific or general tasks.
They may also be asked to assist with classroom activities. An additional, supportive adult to assist the students to engage in activities is a wonderful asset in all rooms.
The specialist teachers also enjoy the support of volunteers in sporting events, musical activities and scientific explorations.
An extra pair of hands is always very much appreciated at every level and in every area of the school’s program!
Parents & Friends Committee
There are many opportunities for parents and friends to contribute to Balnarring Primary School. One way of making a difference is by joining the Parents club.
Parents’ clubs promote the welfare of, and provide support to, the school and its community. Parents are key partners in their child’s learning. By interacting with the school and other parents, parents’ club members can use their skills and experience to work collaboratively with others in supporting the school and its students, and build a sense of community within the school.
The role of a parents’ club is threefold:
- to provide support, in various forms, for the school, its students and community, including raising funds for the benefit of the school
- to work in cooperation with the principal, staff and school council in building effective partnerships between home and school
- to encourage diversity by getting to know the parents of other children at the school, and to support the operation of the school
Working Bees
At Balnarring Primary School we value caring for the environment.
The students are encouraged to take care of their learning environment both in and outside the classroom by participating in ‘We Care’ Working Bees. Each week, designated grades take part in these working bees starting at 2:15pm and concluding at 3:15pm. During this time, much is accomplished.
Parents are also invited to attend our working bees throughout the year. These working bees are co-ordinated by our Buildings and Grounds Committee and involve activities such as gardening, painting, and general tidying up of our extensive school grounds.
