Volunteering at Mother Teresa

Authentic partnerships are actively promoted within the school community. The formation of a Parents’ and Friends’ Association and Parent Participation Programs will operate to facilitate the development of partnerships among parents/guardians, staff, parish members and the wider community.

Participation and collaboration will be reflected in:

  • Open consultation processes that occur in developing, implementing and reviewing policies, procedures and other relevant issues.
  • Parent Partnership Evenings, where staff and parents come together to discuss specific aspects of school life.
  • Weekly Newsletters which outline events and matters relating to the school community and an up-to-date website to allow greater and two-way communication.
  • Celebrations of Learning where students are able to share their learning with parents/guardians, peers and interested visitors.
  • Feedback forums where parents and friends of the school have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.
  • Student Support Team Meetings where Equity Support Personnel work in partnership with parents and staff to facilitate education plans for individual students and the ascertainment process.
  • Educational Forums e.g. Guest Speakers and curriculum capers, where parents/guardians are given opportunities to discuss relevant issues.
  • Social Activities where parents/guardians, staff and students work together to organise and participate in building community.
  • Parental involvement in the everyday life of the school e.g. Reading with students; Tuckshop.
  • School/Parish Community Masses and the Parish Sacramental Program.

Parents

In enrolling your child at Mother Teresa Catholic Primary School, you have made a conscious choice to send your child to a school centred upon Jesus Christ, modelled on his teachings. The charism of Mother Teresa permeates through the school, and her belief that a worthwhile life is one that is lived in the service of others forms the basis of relationships between all stakeholders in Mother Teresa Catholic Primary School.

We, as teachers, work with you for the total development of your child. In order to do this, we engage with you in relation to curriculum, events and what has happened throughout the week in your child's class.

Parent Teacher Partnerships

These are held at the commencement of the school year. Teachers are free to hold these as:

(i) Individual meetings with parents

(ii) A class induction meeting, held at one time so that all interested parents can attend.

(iii) An across-the-year/level induction meeting where all the teachers in the year level have some input, then class groups split for individual information sessions.

The purpose of these meetings includes:

(a) Acquainting parents with:

(i) The educational goals of the class

(ii) The year's Religious Education Program

(iii) Classroom procedures

(iv) Requirements in study, homework, assignments etc.

(v) Pastoral Care and disciplinary procedures

(vi) Assessment and Reporting Procedures

(b) Answering parents’ queries.

These meetings are not for the discussion of individual children's progress.

These meetings are held towards the end of Term Two as individual reporting sessions in which a student's progress, profile and goals are discussed. The meetings provide an opportunity for the teacher, parents and students to look in depth at demonstrations of learning in order to discuss ways in which the student's progress may be planned for the remainder of the year.

It is recommended that teachers communicate with parents as the need arises. Parents wishing to talk to teachers during class time or immediately prior to will be asked to seek a more suitable mutually agreeable time for further discussion.

In accordance with the obligations under the Privacy Act, staff may only discuss the behaviour of students with their respective parents/guardians.

Volunteering at Mother Teresa

At Mother Teresa, the partnership shared by teachers and parents is highly valued. An increasing amount of what is being done in our schools today requires parental involvement. We see this as a great assistance to our students, who at this age, fortunately, love to have a parent or guardian doing something with them, or supporting them in some of their educational adventures.

To help us provide the best education for our children, parents are welcomed in the following ways:

  • Assisting the teachers with reading, computers, crafts, sports or any area of the curriculum that you feel strong in or enjoy.
  • Assisting in the library.
  • Assisting with excursions when required.
  • Attending working bees at the school.
  • Assisting in the tuckshop.

Volunteer Policy

Some volunteers will be required to hold a Blue Card. Volunteers who are required to hold a Blue Card must hold the Blue Card prior to any volunteering.

Volunteers (unless exempt) will need a Blue Card if working at a school and they are providing services to children or conducting activities with children. You can apply for your blue card here: Apply for a blue card

These people do not need a Blue Card to volunteer at a school:

  • a parent who is volunteering at their child’s school
  • a person under the age of 18
  • a teacher registered with the Queensland College of Teacher or a Police Officer (however, they will need an exemption card).

Volunteers must abide by the Volunteer Code of Conduct

From 31 August 2020, a school cannot engage a person to undertake volunteer work if the person is:

  • A negative notice holder disqualified from holding a Blue Card under the Working with Children Act (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000
  • A person with a current suspended Blue Card under the provisions of the Working with Children Act (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000
  • A disqualified person within the meaning of the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000
  • A person with a charge for a disqualifying offence within the meaning of Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000.

© Brisbane Catholic Education, Mother Teresa Primary School (2012)