volunteerhandbook

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Contents

Welcome…………………………......................................................................................2

Community Liaison Officer………………………………...………..................................2

Volunteer Policy………………………………………….……………………………….2

Recognised Benefits Of Volunteering……………………………..……………………...3

Programs and Activities You Can Be Involved In…………….………….………….……3

Orientation and Training……………………………………………………………..……4

Signing In ………………………………………………….………….…………….…….4

Responding To Abuse & Neglect……………………………...………...…..……………4

Being Alone With Children……………………………………………………………….4

First Aid………………………………………………………………………..………….4

Conversations with Students…………………………………………………...………….4

Criminal History Screening……………………………………………….………………4

Harassment and Bullying…………………….……………………………………………4

Privacy and Confidentiality…………………………………………………….…………5

Insurance……………………………………………………………………….………….5

Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare……………………………..…………………..5

Parking………………………………………………………………………...…………..5

Refreshments……………………………………………………………………….……..5

Toilets…………………………………………………………………….……………….5

Transporting Students…………………………………………………………..…………5

Emergency Procedures……………………………………………………………….……6

The School Day………………………………………………………..…………………..6

Websites Of Interest………………………………………….……………………………6

School Map………………………………………………………………………………..7

School Values and Vision Statement……...………………………………………………8

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Welcome

Welcome The Heights School enjoys widespread support from the community. Many of our additional programs for assisting student learning and a wide range of activities such as sports are reliant on the generosity of volunteers.

We hope your experience as a Volunteer at The Heights School is valuable and fulfilling, and is as rewarding for you as it is for the students, staff and parents of the school.

We place great importance on the participation of Volunteers at The Heights School, and are very grateful for your contribution towards providing a high standard of education.

This handbook is designed to help you become familiar with your surroundings and feel settled quickly and easily. If you have any suggestions or problems, please talk to our Community Liaison Officer or any member of staff.

The following information is provided to not only ensure the safety and well being of our children and students but to also strengthen our partnerships. As a Volunteer you will receive school based orientation, induction and training specific to the area in which you will be involved.

This information also contains details about legislative requirements that as a Volunteer you should be aware of and encourages you to seek further information from the school if necessary.

Helen Calvert Principal

Community Liaison Officer The Heights School employs a part time Community Liaison Officer. This position includes assisting with the coordination of and providing assistance to Volunteers participation in programs and activities within the school.

Please telephone to make a time to have a chat or drop in for a coffee.

Community Liaison Officer: Lyn Albury Contact: Ph 8263 6244 or 0488 027 346 Email: [email protected]

Lyn can be contacted Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 8.45am – 3.00pm

Office: Parent Room (opposite Canteen in Administration Block) If you are unsure please ask for directions at the Front Office

Volunteer Policy The Heights School Volunteer Policy is currently under review

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Recognised benefits of volunteering include: • Expanding social, cultural and educational outcomes for students

• Enhancing community spirit and cohesion

• Share your skills and talents

• Develop new skills

• Meet new people and make friends

• Get to know the school community

• Have fun and socialise

• Keep your mind and body active

• Work for a cause you believe in

• Gain experience, contacts and references that will help you find a paid job

• Challenge yourself

Programs and Activities You Can Be Involved In

• Classroom Support (Pre School – Year 12) Reading, Maths, Science etc.

• Governing Council

• Committees Uniform, Canteen, Grounds, Fundraising, Finance, Monitoring & Review, Parent Reference.

• School Forums

• Sports – After School sport and Interschool Sport

• Library e.g. covering books and stocking shelves

• Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden (cooking or gardening)

• Parent Club

• Year 9 Round Table Assessment

• Internationalism – short term Homestay for overseas students

• Year 6/7 Certificate – environment awareness, safety and community involvement

• Special Interest Groups e.g. Observatory, Wakakirri, Ignite Parent Group, Pedal Prix etc.

• Community Mentoring

• Feed The Planet – gardening, pruning, weeding, cooking, excursions etc.

• Wakakiri costume design, sewing, props etc.

• School Grounds – beautifying, planting, and minor handyman work.

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Will orientation and training be provided for volunteers? Yes. We are committed to supporting volunteers by providing orientation and training on school specific issues. Please enquire about this at the school when you offer your support as a volunteer.

Do volunteers need to sign in? It is important that you sign in at the Front Office. Administration staff needs to know who is present, especially in the case of an emergency. The Daily Sign In Form records the date, location, start and finish time.

Name badges are issued to volunteers who work with students on a regular basis. Volunteer Badges are also available from the Front Office when you sign in .Badges or passes must be worn when you are at the school, this identifies to staff that you are a recognised visitor safely working within our school grounds.

Protecting our children – Responding To Abuse & Neglect Education & Care Training The welfare of our children and young people is our highest priority. As a volunteer you need to be aware that if you have concerns about the welfare of a child, then under the Children’s Protection Act 1993 you are obliged by law to notify the Department for Families and Communities. (This is done by telephoning the Child Abuse Report Line on 131478). It is necessary for all volunteers to undertake Responding To Abuse & Neglect Education & Care training. Training is approximately two hours, is free and is undertaken at the school.

Being alone with children or students You must always be visible to a staff member when working with children. Do not shut or lock a door so that you are in a room alone with them. This does not apply if the child is your own. You will not be required to mind a class in the absence of a teacher.

First Aid If a child or young person is injured or ill, please advise the supervising staff member or front office as soon as possible. Our first aid officer or other staff member will attend and contact parents if necessary. Do not touch children who are not your own unnecessarily unless there is an emergency. If you are witness to an incident/injury please provide information that formally needs recording by speaking to our First Aid Officer.

Conversations with children and young people Regardless of the volunteering activity you will be engaging in, you are providing a positive role model for children and students. The relationships you develop will ensure that your interactions and conversations are enriching and enjoyable. We expect children and students to treat you with respect at all times. If they behave inappropriately, please seek help from the supervising staff member or a senior staff member. It is expected that appropriate language be used at all times.

Criminal History Screening DECS requires all volunteers to undertake a criminal history screening before commencing at the school. Previously obtained screenings can be no older than two years. Minor charges or convictions do not prevent a volunteer from working with children and young people. The screening is paid for by the school and forms are available from the Community Liaison Officer. Further details are available from http://www.decs.sa.gov.au/recruit/pages/supportadmin/crimHistCheck/ The 100 point check required can be verified by a Manager at the school. It is important that you understand that the school does not receive details should you have a record or conviction, rather the school is informed as to whether your application is successful or not.

Harassment and Bullying As a volunteer you need to be aware that under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 it is unlawful to subject anyone to sexual or racist harassment. If you need to report an instance of sexual or racist harassment or bullying, please contact the staff representative for occupational health, safety and welfare or a senior staff member. The staff will maintain confidentiality, listen sympathetically and explain the complaints procedure. The preschool director or school principal, or a member of the senior staff, will investigate a report of sexual or racist harassment or bullying.

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Privacy and Confidentiality Preschools and schools must comply with information privacy principles regarding the use and release of information. Any personal information (including names, addresses, telephone numbers and life circumstances) about learners, staff members and other volunteers that you become aware of during your volunteer work must not be shared unless it is required by law (e.g. in reporting child abuse).

Please do not make any comments outside the school or preschool about teaching and learning methods, student education levels or behaviour management methods.

Insurance The Volunteers Protection Act 2001 protects volunteers from being sued for an act or omission done or made in good faith and without recklessness while carrying out volunteer duties. The Department of Education and Children’s Services manages claims for outofpocket expenses arising from personal injury sustained by volunteers in preschools and schools. This is after private and Third Party Insurance options have been exhausted. Further information is available from the school.

Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Smoking is not permitted in buildings or on the grounds.

We are responsible for providing a safe environment for you. However, you must take reasonable responsibility for your own health and safety, and avoid the possibility of an accident or injury while you are on this site. You need to take special care when lifting heavy objects. Do not involve yourself in any activity that is likely to put you or anyone else at risk.

Please familiarise yourself with emergency procedures for evacuation, and report all injuries and accidents occurring while you are here to front office staff as soon as possible. If necessary you will be supplied with an official DECS form to record the incident. Further information is available in the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Manual available from the site.

Parking Parking is available in the car park off Augusta St.

Refreshments Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the Parent Room and the Pre School also has facilities available to parents.

You can purchase your morning tea or lunch from the Canteen while you are working in the school. Drop in and see our Canteen Manager and she will take your order.

Toilets Please use the staff toilets which are located adjacent to the Front Office. Do not enter the toilets allocated to children and young people. You will not be asked to assist with the toileting of children, or with sickroom activities. You may assist toileting your own child.

Transporting Students

If you volunteer to transport students you are required to have: • Third party property insurance • Your vehicle needs to be registered • A current driver’s license • Working seatbelts for each student • Written consent from parents or caregivers is required before transporting students.

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Emergency Procedures

Familiarise yourself with the Emergency Procedures for the area you are working in. These are displayed on the wall of each area.

Sirens

• Fire Drill Continuous long siren blast • Evacuation Continuous long siren blast • Invacuation Continuous short siren blasts • All clear for emergencies Continuous siren blast

Should any of the above sirens sound please follow instructions from the teacher in charge of your area.

The School Day

Monday (Junior School)

Monday (Middle School/Senior

School)

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (Whole School)

Home Group n/a 8.45am 9.05am 8.45am 9.05am

Lesson 1 8.45am – 9.30am 9.05am 10.00am 9.05am 9.55am

Lesson 2 9.35 – 10.25am 10.00am – 10.55am 9.55am – 10.45am

Recess 10.25am – 10.45am 10.55am – 11.20am 10.45 – 11.05am

Lesson 3 10.45am – 11.35am 11.20am – 12.15pm 11.05am – 11.55am

Lesson 4 11.35am – 12.25pm 12.15pm – 1.00pm 11.55am – 12.45pm

Lunch 12.25pm – 12.50pm 1.00pm – 1.35pm 12.45pm – 1.20pm

Lesson 5 12.50pm – 1.40pm 1.35pm – 2.30pm 1.20pm – 2.10pm

Lesson 6 1.40pm – 2.30pm No lessons due to 2.30pm finish 2.10pm 300pm

Websites Of Interest

DECS Volunteers Website http://www.decs.sa.gov.au/volunteers

Northern Volunteering http://www.northernvolunteering.org.au

SA Association Of State School Organisations http://www.saasso.asn.au

Volunteering SA http://www.volunteeringsa.org.au/

South Australian Association of School Parents' Clubs Inc

http://www.saaspc.org.au

NAPCAN – Preventing Child Abuse http://www.napcan.org.au

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THE HEIGHTS SCHOOL

Our School Values

We work hard to learn

We respect each other

We value acts of generosity

Our Vision Statement

Through our passion for learning

We will create Happy, Healthy

and Productive Global Citizens

keen to meet challenges and

build a just society

volunteerhandbook

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