7 minute read
Service in the School
Celebrating our Parent Volunteers
This issue of Spectemur celebrates ‘Service’ in all its forms. At Camberwell Grammar School, we are fortunate to have a vibrant community that encourages parent involvement. And there are an extraordinary range of groups and activities for parents to join. Parents can join the Parents’ Association, choose from the wide range of ‘Friends Of’ groups or help out with once-off events, such as Open Day or Christmas pudding preparation. In celebration of National Volunteers Week (17-23 May), we asked some of our parent helpers about their experience of volunteering at the School.
Allison / Auxiliary Convenor
I co-ordinate all the Auxiliary events that happen at Camberwell Grammar throughout the school year, including organising the CGS Puddings making and sales, The Open Day cake stall and the Grandparents Day memorabilia stand. Volunteering is a great way to meet parents and connect with the CGS community and I get to know a lot of people from different year levels. It is great speaking with other parents and learning tips and tricks of managing teenage boys, finding out about what is happening in the school, and seeing my own son ‘in the wild’. Being involved in the Auxiliary has been a wonderful learning experience. There are many talented and interesting people in our school community, and it is great to get a different perspective when challenges arise. Last year when faced with the possibility of not providing CGS puddings for the first time in 36 years due to Covid restrictions, the Auxiliary team was able to organise having the pudding making outsourced using the original CGS recipe. I think giving back to the School sets a good example to both my children and I hope they will do the same in the future. I believe you get more than you give when you volunteer. Volunteering for the CGS Auxiliary is fun and easy. You can be involved in as much or as little as you like. You could do a shift at the Cafeteria, help mix puddings or sell cakes or memorabilia at Open Day. We also welcome volunteers with great finance or organisational skills to help on the Auxiliary Committee. Whatever you can do, we look forward to welcoming you! Getting involved is a great way to feel part of the wonderful Camberwell Grammar School community.
Kelsey / Auxiliary Secretary and Parents Association Secretary
One of the benefits of volunteering for the School is meeting other parents – it is not only a lot of fun but you learn so much, especially from parents of boys in older year levels. I have made some lovely friends through volunteering. Honestly, it has been challenge-free (apart from the obvious Covid interruption). This is 100% due to the fabulous team in the Community and Development Office who are so supportive, and the wonderful team of parents working together. My son likes that I am familiar with what is happening at School, a connection that benefits us both. Hopefully, it encourages him to be involved where he can too. For other parents who want to get involved, you are always welcome to come to a meeting if you have any ideas you would like to contribute, we are always after new ideas!
Debbie / Friends of Norge Convenor
Friends of Norge are the parent support group for Junior School. As coordinators, we organise Junior School functions such as the Mother’s Day Breakfast, Father’s Day Breakfast, Open Day, and other events for the boys like sausage sizzle on footy day, which is very popular with the boys. As Friends of Norge Convenor, I also chair the Friends of Norge meetings which are held twice a term where we meet with all Junior School class reps, the Head and Deputy Head of Junior School. One of the biggest joys I get out of volunteering at the School is getting to know more people. I get to meet many boys and parents from all different year levels, and I’ve made many wonderful friendships. It has also given me insight into the School, and it makes me appreciate all the work that goes behind providing quality education to our boys. In addition to this, my boys love to see me around the School and they often ask about what I’m doing. I hope it will provide good role modelling for them that they will pay it forward in the future.
Dad helpers at the Mother’s Day Breakfast
There are many ways that parents can get involved in the School. In Junior School, parents can become a Class Rep for their year level or volunteer a couple of hours at Library Book Covering, Art Room working bee, Mother’s Day Breakfast, Father’s Day Breakfast and Open Day, among other events. Reach out to myself, debbie.cheong@gmail.com, or Karley Knight in the Community and Development Office if you’d like to get involved.
Lydia / Friends of Norge Treasurer
Some of the benefits of volunteering at the School are that you will get to know the teachers, staff and other parents as we all work together in organising activities/events. Getting to know other parents and forming friendships within the school community has been rewarding. My son will hopefully see the importance of participating in a larger community. It’s also nice to see him smile whenever he sees me on the school grounds and to know that I am not there as a support base for the school community!
Corie and Kirsty / Cafeteria Volunteers
We assist the staff with re-stocking various food and drink items. We also assist in preparing the hot and cold food items on offer in readiness for the onslaught at recess. During recess, we transfer the food from the kitchen to the bain-marie and re-stock as the hungry boys come through clearing it out. After recess, with a cuppa in hand, we wipe down the tables and benches, help prepare the lunch orders for the Junior School, and then assist in the preparation of lunch. Some of the benefits are you don’t often get to see your sons in their school environment so it’s great to see them having fun with their friends. I think they enjoy coming through to say hello and it’s also nice meeting other parents and getting to know the staff. We think that our sons appreciate our involvement, and it’s also good for them to see us giving our time voluntarily and contributing to the community. Sign up with a friend (in the Cafeteria) so that you can work together, even if you just commit to once a term. It all helps!
Teh-Lin /Camberwell Grammar Auxiliary, Memorabilia Convenor
The most beneficial part of my role would be making friends with parents from all year levels. You get to hear stories from parents below and above your son’s year level which are eye-opening and educational as well. When I first joined the Auxiliary, I was tasked with coming up with a new CGS Photo Album. It was a steep learning curve finding suppliers, getting it shipped and launching it as a new product to the School community. I definitely learned a lot. Another challenge would be learning how to deal with different and diverse people and personalities who work towards the same goal. We have all learned to embrace everyone’s uniqueness to make the Auxiliary the success it is today.
Friends of Norge Library Volunteers
Friends of Norge Library Volunteers
Our Friends of Groups
Cadets Auxiliary CGS Angels French Connection Friends of Norge MS/SS Reps Parents’ Association Friends of Basketball Friends of Cycling Friends of Tennis Friends of Football Friends of Snowsports Cafeteria Volunteers CGS Auxiliary Friends of Library Friends of Performing Arts Pre-Loved Uniform Shop Friends of Aquatics Friends of Cricket Friends of Kayaking Friends of Baseball Friends of Hockey Friends of Soccer
Visit the below link to find out more about school parent groups and volunteering:
