Parents, grandparents and other friends and family members who volunteer play a vital role. Research has shown the importance of volunteers in the classroom to create a healthy learning environment, creating a richness of community that is beneficial to all.

To best support volunteers in the school and to continue to provide a safe environment for our students, we also need to abide by child protection laws using the following process:

1. Volunteers are asked to provide a Working With Children Check number to the school, so that we are able to check their suitability for working with children and keep our register up to date. The application for the Working With Children Check can be completed online.

2. Your identity then needs to be verified at an RMS (previously RTA) office. Although paid employees need to pay a fee for this service, volunteers do not. Many parents will already have these clearance numbers for volunteer work they do at church or other places.

3. Our preference is that all parents have a WWCC clearance number. For those who do not have this number, there is the option of filling in a Statutory Declaration and Consent form, if you are working in your child’s classroom. These can be picked up from the front office.

4. Those who are cleared to assist in the school will need to sign a Code of Conduct. This clarifies boundaries and expectations of behaviour while working within the school.

Although this process is lengthy, it is necessary to promote a safe environment for our students.

The rewards of participating in the school as a volunteer are many. A significant advantage is that your children will see how much you value their education and you will become more familiar with their school community.