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Parent Engagement

As a Catholic learning community, St Michael's strives to be welcoming and connected, supporting the engagement of parents as partners in their children’s learning and wellbeing, and their involvement in the life and community of the school and parish.

Parent engagement is more than volunteering and helping out at the school. While we value any contribution you can make to school life, we understand that work and family commitments can make it difficult to be involved in an ongoing way. However, you can still engage in your child’s learning and wellbeing by supporting and/or attending:

  • Mass and prayer celebrations with the parish and school community
  • Our parish-based sacramental programs
  • Parent information nights and parent/teacher meetings
  • P&F Meetings and community events – see below
  • School assemblies
  • School open days and special occasions
  • ...and offering any other practical assistance either on-site or from home

You can also engage in your child’s learning and wellbeing simply by working with the school to create a stimulating and supportive environment for them both at school and home – working together collaboratively to connect both learning environments.

This is best achieved when parents and school work in partnership to encourage positive and respectful relationships, regular and meaningful communication about children’s progress and development, and a consistent positive attitude to learning, education and school life. Get to know your child’s teacher and other staff – this is a great way to build this most important relationship!
  

Find more information and resources on parent engagement here
View our Parent-School Partnership Framework

 

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

If you are able, St Michael's welcomes any parents and carers who may be able to volunteer at the school. Parent and carer volunteers are a valued support base for our school, assisting staff to provide a range of high-quality opportunities to promote the learning, wellbeing and growth of students.

Some ways you can be involved may include:

  • Supporting library assistants by repairing and covering books
  • Assistance on excursions when required
  • Assistance at sport carnivals and gala days
  • Helping out at and attending P&F functions

Please note: Given our commitment to safeguarding children, volunteers will first need to organise a Working with Children Check (WWCC) process – information and forms can be found on the CEDoW website.

 

PARENTS & FRIENDS (P&F) ASSOCIATION

The St Michael’sParents & Friends (P&F) Association is the representative body for the parents and carers of St Michael’s Catholic Parish Primary School, Thirroul. Our P&F Association works collaboratively with the Principal and the Leadership Team at St Michael’s to create an environment that encourages and supports our children’s social and educational wellbeing. 

P&F Association meetings are held once a term and provide an opportunity for parents and carers to discuss ways that we, as a school community, can positively contribute to our children’s primary school experience and support the school. All parents and carers are very welcome and encouraged to attend!

If you're interested, we've included some further information below. 

2023 P&F Association Executive Committee: 

President – Erin Matts 

Secretary – Alexa Marciano 

Treasurer – Rebecca Hay 

The P&F Executive Committee is elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). All positions are vacated each year and nominations are called for from the school community.

  • Encourage parent communication, engagement and collaboration. 
  • Promote and encourage parents to attend school community events.
  • Create fundraising opportunities to support school improvements and initiatives. 

Contributing to and being involved in the P&F Association has many benefits. You will have the opportunity to meet other parents and carers, help build on our school community spirit and help raise money at our wonderful fundraising events! 

Ways you can help: 

  • Attend a P&F meeting 
  • Be a Class Rep 
  • Wrap gifts for fundraising events 
  • Bake for a cake stall 
  • Donate used uniform items to the second hand uniform shop 
  • Order a book through Scholastic Book Club 
  • Come and join the Garden Club
  • Mother’s Day Stall 
  • Father’s Day Stall 
  • Easter Raffle 
  • Bunnings BBQ 
  • Parent Fundraising Event 
  • Thirroul Seaside Festival
  • Information Technology – iPads, iMac desktop computers for the library, Mac Minis for classrooms, Smartboard, Macbook Pros and trolley/equipment for these items 
  • Key Learning Area resources, including classroom readers, Creative Arts and Religious Education resources and gifted education resources 
  • Resources for bubble classes 
  • Library resources 
  • Prayer space 
  • Playground and sporting equipment upgrades 
  • $15,000 contribution to our shade sail 
  • New playground bubbler and water bottle refill station

The P&F Association, in collaboration with the Principal and Leadership Team at St Michael’s, are continually thinking of new ways to further enhance and enrich the educational resources and facilities at the school. If you have any suggestions, ideas, thoughts or concerns, please reach out to the P&F team or contact the school office. 

Please join us, as together we can make a difference! 

Email - pandf@smtdow.catholic.edu.au 

FaceBook – Parents and Friends – St Michael’s Thirroul