Parents are partners in the learning journey of their children. St Columba’s Primary School Adamstown welcomes opportunities to work with you in educating your child. Parent support of the teachers by involvement in the classroom, in school excursions and in sport is encouraged.

Volunteers have a significant role in the life of the school but also play an integral role in providing a safe and enjoyable environment for students. When working with children volunteers are expected to model safety, respect, support and ethical standards in relation to conduct and communication. This means that they should behave honestly, act with care and diligence and behave and dress appropriately. Most of all, volunteers should think and act safety.

Volunteers need to also adhere to the visitor process:

All visitors and volunteers must sign in and out of the school using the Electronic Kiosk at the office. A visitor sticker is to be completed and worn whilst on school grounds.

To volunteer at the school you need to complete the Working with Children process with the diocese. Having a working with children check/number does not mean you are cleared to volunteer.
Please see the link below to do this if you are happy to.

https://www.mn.catholic.edu.au/families-communities/volunteers/

ST COLUMBA’S CODE OF CONDUCT FOR VOLUNTEERS

To ensure quality of education and the maintenance of the Catholic ethos within our school, we respectfully request that all volunteers abide by the following Code of Conduct:

PLEASE ensure the teacher has informed you fully as to what role you are undertaking.

PLEASE remain within sight of the teacher-in-charge at all times when working with students.

PLEASE inform the teacher of any issues that you consider need to be addressed.

PLEASE enjoy yourself and be assured that your role within the school is highly valued.

PLEASE be positive in your words and actions.

PLEASE respect the confidentiality that is inherent in any role within a school. It is particularly important that parents do not communicate observations about children’s work habits, social behaviour or academic achievement to anyone other than the teaching staff of our school.

PLEASE notify the school if you are unable to attend at a rostered time.

PLEASE be sensitive to the confidential nature of material that may be within the confines of the school office, and check with staff as to appropriate areas of access.
PLEASE refrain from purchasing/giving treats, (e.g. food or drinks), for the children unless requested to do so by the teacher in charge.

DISCONTINUATION OF SERVICES
Although St Columba’s Primary School is not limited to the reasons above, a volunteer can be asked to discontinue their services for the following:

• Breach of confidentiality,
• Violation of school rules, policies, and regulations,
• Physical or emotional stress which incapacitates the volunteer,
• Inability to co-operate and work effectively with school staff and students,
• Erratic or unreliable attendance or behaviour,
• Establishing inappropriate relations with any student.