17 May 2022
Namadgi School P&C President, Rhodina Ellison, pictured volunteering at the Namadgi School Mother's Day stall.
This week is National Volunteer Week and school Parents and Citizens (P&C) Associations are one way that volunteers can give back to their local school. P&Cs can help to foster a sense of community, build friendships between members and fundraise for their school.
Rhodina Ellison has been president of Namadgi School’s P&C Association since 2017, and a volunteering member before that. She enjoys volunteering her time and being able to give back to her school community.
“My favourite thing about volunteering on the P&C is seeing the enjoyment that kids get from the events that we hold,” Rhodina said. “While it’s great to give back to the school through our events, I really enjoy interacting with the kids and seeing how much fun they have.”
Many P&Cs are excited to be back at their schools now that COVID-19 restrictions have eased, and Rhodina says that it will be great for new families to Namadgi School to be able to meet and interact with the P&C.
“We have some families and students from our lower years who may not know who their P&C is because we haven’t been able to interact or hold events, so we’re looking forward to engaging with the families of our younger students more,” Rhodina said.
Rhodina is thankful for the relationships she has built with her school community and other members of the P&C through her time volunteering and recommends it if people can make the time.
“There are lots of things people can take part in, and lots of value in spending time with your school community. My children benefit from my involvement and can see that I’m interested in their education and learning,” said Rhodina.
Popular events at the school include the Mother’s Day and Father’s Day stalls, school discos and games nights for older students.
Namadgi School’s P&C caters for preschool to year 10 students and will often have the older students help with events in exchange for P&C support for their year 10 formal.
“We have the year 10 students help us with BELT Breakfasts, which are bacon, egg, lettuce and tomato burgers before assemblies.
“It gives parents, students, and family members a chance to interact and year 10 helpers learn skills like cooking a lot of food at once and using the till,” Rhodina said.
For more information about how you can volunteer at your school, contact your school directly.