What is the P&C?

Waitara parents: supporting your child’s school experience

The Waitara Public School P&C Association (Waitara P&C) is a school-based organisation that exists and operates to support the Waitara Public School community. Parents, teachers and other interested people are encouraged to be members.

The existence and role of P&C’s reflect an important aspect of the Australian Public School system – that the involvement of parents and other people from the community in the operation of our schools is desired, in fact needed. This is different to the practices of some of the nations from which families in our school community came and is not always well appreciated or understood. Many parents in our school community have been used to governments funding and controlling all aspects of schooling. The Australian public school system is very different to this – it actively seeks involvement of parents and others in the local community in a range of ways including volunteering their time, skills and money to maximise the students’ education experience. This involvement is also important for the building relationships in our multicultural community.

P&C’s are the bodies established in our public school system to facilitate the community’s support of the school. Volunteer parents lead and operate the P&C. The School Principal is also a member.

Waitara P&C’s main objectives are to:

· Promote the interests of the school by bringing parents, students, teaching staff and other members of the community into close co-operation;

· Assist in providing facilities and equipment for the school and promoting the recreation and welfare of the students at the school; and

· Assist and co-operate with teaching staff at public functions associated with the school;

The Waitara P&C fulfils these objectives by:

· Meeting as a community.

The P&C meets twice a term in week 4 and week 8. The week 4 meeting is held on a Wednesday evening at 7 pm and the week 8 meeting is held on a Friday morning at 9.30am. Visitors are welcome to attend meetings. The meetings are an important opportunity to hear what is going on at the school as the Principal and other senior staff attends, talk about important school matters and invite parents comments and opinions on a range of matters.

· Communicating with the school community

The P&C reports regularly in the school newsletter about its activities and advising where support is needed by the school.

· Providing services to the school community

Waitara P&C operates the School Uniform Shop which exclusively supplies most of your school uniform needs, at costs significantly, below normal retail prices. Parent volunteers staff the shop. The Uniform Shop is open during school terms on Monday and Thursday morning between 8.45 am and 9.30 am for purchase of uniforms and bags.

· Organising social events and assisting school activities and events

The P&C has organised various carnivals and discos. It has also helped the school with various requests and events, such as working bees or school committees.

· Raising funds for the purchase of school facilities and equipment.

Through various fundraising activities the Waitara P&C has funded the refurbishment of the main oval, provided equipment such as ipads, interactive whiteboards, air-conditioning & carpeting for classrooms, reading and maths equipment, music equipment, data projector and screen and curtains for the school hall and support for the school’s participation in music festivals and other items.

Why should you get involved?

· Community support and volunteering are core Australian values

Australians proudly see community support and volunteering as fundamental to our culture. By being involved as members of the P&C, supporting all of the children at the school, we can role model these very important values to each of our children.

• Encourage our children
  
  It delights your children to be able to say, “that’s my mum or dad or grandparent” , when they see their parents or grandparents doing things around the school.
  
  Many of the facilities and events at the school would not exist without the efforts of the P&C.
  
  

• Encourage the teaching staff
  
  It is a natural reaction of our wonderful teachers that they are encouraged to give even more of themselves to our children when they know their efforts are appreciated. Good parent supports helps to attract and retain the best teaching staff
  
  

· Encourage other parents to help too

It encourages wider participation of parents when they see others doing it too and supporting them – many hands make light work!

• Make new friends
  
  Attending meetings or helping out on various projects is a great way to meet others and make new friends while working for a good cause.
  
  

· It’s fun and rewarding

Seeing the effect your contribution has on the children’s school experience is just fantastic.

How can you get involved?

• Come along to one of our monthly meetings. We are delighted to meet new members - so don’t be shy about not knowing anyone or worry about your English language skills– we will make sure you are warmly welcomed.
  
  

• If you receive a request for volunteer helpers or donation, respond as best you can.
  
  

• Let us know you would like us to contact you. You can email us at secretary@waitarapandc.asn.au or drop a note into the P&C tray in the main building. The School office staff can also put you in contact with one of the P&C Executive.
  
  

• Volunteer for reading groups, excursion help or attend school carnivals and assemblies when they are held. The students and staff love to see parents come along to join in the fun.