Community involvement

Get involved at your child's school—it will help you keep up-to-date with what is going on at the school, and help build positive relationships between you and the school community.

Volunteering at school

Volunteers are always welcome. Some of the areas where you may be able to help include:

• tuckshop
• excursions
• reading support in the classroom
• sport—coaching, umpiring or helping out at carnivals
• parent associations
• fetes and other school events.

Contact the school for further information or to register your interest.

Parent associations

Most schools will have a Parents and Citizens (P&C) or Parents and Friends (P&F) Association. P&C associations are affiliated to state schools, and P&F associations with non-state schools.

All schools rely on their community to help guide some of the decision making in areas like uniforms and behaviour, and to help with funding and supporting school organisations. If you want to be involved contact your school. You can also try the school website—they often have information about their parent associations.

These associations typically help in areas like:

• running tuckshops, bookshops or uniform shops
• fundraising activities
• helping organise school functions (e.g. school fete)
• out-of-school-hours care.

Support for parent organisations

State school P&C associations are strictly controlled by law and departmental policy.

Read guidelines that help with:

• compliance with financial responsibilities
• efficient and accurate business practices.

The Queensland Council of P&C Associations is a community organisation to represent the interests of P&C associations in Queensland. They work with education authorities and promote closer cooperation between staff and school families. Approximately 1300 P&C associations are affiliated.

Similar organisations exist for non-state schools. Read more about:

• The Federation of Parents and Friends Associations of Catholic Schools
• the Queensland Independent Schools Parents Council.

Schools in the community

State education week

State schools across Queensland open their doors to the community during State Education Week to showcase their achievements.

Read more about State Education Week events.

Performances and extra-curricular activities

Many schools hold public performances for their music and drama students. Keep up to date through school newsletters and websites. Contact your school for further information.

Read more about extra-curricular activities.