Last week we had an excellent discussion as a P&F in exploring the needs of our College and community.  We are looking into overhauling the traditional P&F structure so we can involve our larger community in a fun and engaging manner. The new structure allows groups of like-minded people to come together and do what they love and relies less on members attending meetings and getting jobs.

We have arrived at the following structure which we think is very inclusive and also supports the needs of the students of OLSCC. Presently these are all just ideas, as the structure is obviously dependent on people who wish to participate in building the community around the College, as well as having a great time.

New Structure

The idea is that people can engage with the P&F without the need to attend meetings or be given jobs that they are not interested in or don’t have the time to do.  Instead, our parents can engage in areas of passion to make a difference.  We will use modern platforms such as Facebook, email and messages (depending of people’s preferences) in order to make contact, rather than requiring everyone to meet. 

The intent of each group is as follows, with the focus always being our students:

Pastoral: Looking after those who most need it.  This may be welcoming new families, providing basic support (such as a nice hot dinner) to those going through a tough time, and thanking those in our community who go above and beyond.

Social: This is purely based on bringing our community together to have a good time.  It is not about fundraising, rather creating a space for all to come together and have fun. It is hoped there will also be a team that looks after the marketing and social media aspects of the P&F.

Environment: Anything involving the physical environment at the College.  From grounds to gardens, working bees to tuck-shop, volunteering. This is the group for you if you prefer to just get in and do it!

Parents in Education: Helping out in classes, showcase your expertise in specialist subjects (e.g. Agriculture, Biology, Medical, Retail, Hospitality, Business, etc.), support parent education or guest speakers for our students and community, or provide additional support with extracurricular activities such as Optiminds, culture or sport. This could be a one-off occurrence or an ongoing committment – it all depends on what best suits you.

Resourcing, Finance and Fundraising: This group will budget expenditure, raise funds, govern the P&F and do all the great things that the P&F is traditionally known for. It will include oversight of the functions and finance of the P&F, as well as the fundraising component which is required for all other areas to function effectively.

Of course, we are looking for people to be key contacts for specific groups and get things going, though again, this doesn’t mean you’ll be caught up in meetings or carrying the burden on your own.  We simply need a spokesperson and someone who will disseminate information to get the group together when needed. 

Click on the link to the PDF document so you can express your interest in which areas you would like to assist with or learn more about. Forms can be handed into the College Office or via class message bags.