At School 5-18

Parent Participation at School

Involvement in schools by parents and carers helps children achieve the best possible learning outcomes. You can participate in school life, both formally and informally, through school councils, parent clubs and volunteering.

Volunteers in schools

Government schools have volunteer programs where parents can directly participate in school activities. These opportunities cover things like helping in the school canteen, helping with school excursions and school events; assistance with reading and maths programs; and participation in environment committees and cultural groups.

If you are interested in volunteering you may be asked to apply for a Working with Children (WWC) check, which helps to keep children safe by preventing those who pose a risk to the safety of children from working with them in paid or volunteer work. For more information about the WWC check, see: Working with Children

Contact your child’s school to find out about volunteering opportunities and programs.

School councils

A Victorian government school council is comprised of parents, the principal, staff and sometimes community members. The school council assists in setting the educational policy of a school. Councils can have between 6 and 15 members.

To be a part of the council you don’t need any particular qualifications or experience – schools look for enthusiastic parents who want to help improve the learning outcomes for all students.

Elections to school council positions are completed by the end of March each year. All parents or guardians of students enrolled at the school are eligible to vote for candidates wanting to participate on the school council.

For more information on school councils, contact your school or see: School Councils

There are also two school council organisations that provide information and support for school councils:

Parent clubs

Many schools have a club or association for parents seeking an active role in the school. Parent clubs give you the opportunity to participate and contribute to your school community and in partnership with school councils organise social, educational and fundraising activities.

Parent Clubs – has a model for constitutions and information on financial procedures for parent/welfare clubs.

Parents Victoria –  is a voluntary organisation that offers advice and information for parent clubs in government schools, as well as providing an advocacy service for individual parents.

There are also several other organisations that represent the interests of parents and children, including: