Schools Call For Volunteers

20140519 Volunteer — Former Barambah PaCE mentor now Cherbourg State School teacher aide Lesley Bell helps with all sorts of jobs and is pictured with students Kenneth Graham and William Saltner
(Photo: Marcus Priaulx)

May 19, 2014

by Marcus Priaulx
Barambah PaCE

Did you know that Australia’s 1.2 million volunteers put more into the economy than the mining industry? This fact came to light during National Volunteer Week which ended on Sunday (May 18).

The week may be over but the need for volunteers is ongoing.

Barambah school principals are calling on parents, carers, citizens to think about volunteering within any of their departments.

This includes tuck shops, kitchens, grounds, administration offices, sports and music programs, classooms or anywhere they believe they have a skill or can contribute.

It could be for an hour a week or whatever they can give.

Blue Card applications can be arranged for people without children at the school or working in different areas to where they may be.

Murgon State High School principal Greg Smith said community people who helped often became great student mentors as they were not seen as figures of authority.

“The students often respond well to volunteers as they see them as just being there to help,” Greg said.

“That’s what teachers are there for too but not all children see it that way.”

Cherbourg State School principal Peter Sansby said volunteers made it much easier for teachers to teach.

Murgon State School principal Pamela O’Loughlin said parents on the schools’ grounds were often a source of pride for children and made them feel more comfortable and safer within the learning environment.

“The benefits of having people from the community helping are too many to mention,” Pamela said.

So, if you think you can help, phone a school and have a chat with any principal: