Helping at School

Family Involvement  

We acknowledge the valuable role of each family and community member in the learning and development of young children. We actively promote our vision for productive partnerships and collaboration on a range of educational initiatives. How parents become involved in the education of their children at O’Connor Cooperative School will depend on what suits the individual family. We encourage family involvement at every opportunity.

It is essential that there is local decision making which is responsive to families and draws on community expertise. All parents are encouraged to maintain close contact with the Principal who is keen to receive feedback, questions or concerns at any time.

There are many ways you can support children at O’Connor Cooperative School. Volunteers have a special place and can assist in many ways:

• sharing knowledge and expertise of craft, cooking, music, storytelling, job skills etc
• interacting with the daily program (listening to children read, joining numeracy groups etc)
• working bees in the garden
• participating as a P&C committee member
• sitting on the School Board
• helping in the library

Participation of Volunteers

To assist our school in providing a safe environment and a positive educational climate, volunteers are asked to comply with the Code of Conduct for Volunteers. This code of conduct has been formulated to clarify the type of conduct expected of volunteers when participating in programs and activities in ACT Government schools.

Volunteers working in schools need to:

• observe similar standards of behaviour and ethical conduct to that required of staff. For example, you are expected to act within the law, be honest and fair, respect other people (including students), and work to the best standard of your ability.
• appreciate that teachers have a special duty of care for students that cannot be delegated or transferred to others. Appreciate also that the Principal is the spokesperson for the school.
• appreciate that students have rights and aspirations. Treat students with dignity and respect.
• observe confidentiality in respect of all information gained through your participation as a volunteer. All information held by schools should be handled with care. Some information is especially sensitive. Sensitive and/or personal information requires additional caution in the way it is treated. For example, volunteers should not discuss nor disclose personal information about students, staff or students’ parents/carers to others.
• accept and follow directions from the Principal/supervisor and seek guidance through clarification where you may be uncertain of tasks or requirements. You may need to familiarise yourself with the Directorate’s policies and guidelines on particular issues.
• observe safe work practices which avoid unnecessary risks, apply reasonable instructions given by supervisors and report to the supervising staff and school administration any hazard or hazardous practice in the workplace.
• report any problems as they arise to your supervisor, including incidents, injury or property damage.
• avoid waste or extravagance and make proper use of the resources of the school/Directorate.

Under Legislation introduced in 2013, volunteers undertaking more than a legislated number of hours are required to complete a Working with Vulnerable People check. Please see the Front Office for the appropriate forms if you are interested in working in our school in a volunteer capacity.

All volunteers are required to sign in and out of the school. Please see Front Office staff for the appropriate documentation.