Developed for parents, by parents, with parents.

This resource has been specially developed to ensure you as a new Office Bearer or member, understand your role and have the information to fully participate in your P&F / Friends of ... / Parent Group.

Your Catholic School Community - A Welcoming Place

"Catholic schools assist parents who wish to develop their children as Christian men and women.  They support parents as the first educators of their children." Bishops' Mandate, p7 (To view the full Bishops' Mandate, click here).

P&Fs can reciprocate this sentiment by assisting the school in the spiritual journey of all students.  There are many ways to do this, for example:

• reflecting the school's Gospel values, or charism in the objectives as stated in the Constitution, and in its 'way of operating';
• helping to celebrate or organise activities for the school's Patron Saint or Feast Day;
• assisting with activities related to the sacramental programs;
• providing opportunities for students to experience Christian Service Learning...Faith in Action!;
• starting each meeting with the school's prayer; and
• modelling the traits of gratefulness, kindness and thoughtfulness in meetings and in all that we do.

Some important dates in the Catholic calendar are:

• Ash Wednesday
• Palm Sunday
• Good Friday
• Easter Sunday
• Ascension of Jesus
• Pentecost
• St Patricks Day
• All Saints Day
• Feast of St Mary of the Cross
• Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Feast of the Immaculate Conception
• Christmas Day

It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the patron of your child's school, whether that be 'St Joseph', 'St Mary', 'Sacred Heart' etc.

What is a Catholic School P&F?

Historically, the group of parents who formed a group within the school to fundraise and friend-raise was called a Parents and Friends Association, more commonly referred to as “the P&F”. However now, there are many variations such as Parent Council, Friends of…, Parent Forum and so forth.

The Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia (CECWA) has established the Catholic School Parents and Friends Group (P&F) to provide local and contextual support for all Principals to build strong, positive Catholic school communities

In Western Australian Catholic schools, most parent groups are unincorporated and from 2023, will operate under a set of rules, known as Catholic School P&F Group Terms of Reference. A few groups are incorporated and there are different and more complex rules governing these bodies. For more information, please contact our office on 9338 9985.

Parents are the first and most enduring educators of their children and therefore are partners with the school in the education of their children. The P&F can and do play an important role in facilitating this partnership.

From the Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church:
Canon 796:2 requires that: "There be the closest cooperation between parents and the teachers to whom they entrust their children to be educated. In fulfilling their task, teachers are to collaborate closely with parents and willingly listen to them; associations and meetings of parents are to be set up and held in high esteem.”

The P&F is an integral part of the Catholic school structure and provides a formal structure and support network for parents to participate in the activities and decision making processes at the school and to work for the benefit of the school and their children.

To ensure its effectiveness, the P&F should:

• strive to develop at the school a real community of parents, teachers and students, which reflects a truly Christian ethos;
• work closely with the school’s leadership, in particular the principal, to achieve common goals;
• ensure that a high level of social and educational interaction exists between home, school and Parish, parents and teachers;
• provide a healthy forum for ideas and discussion on any relevant issue that will benefit the education of the children;
• assist in planning and organising functions associated with the social, sporting, cultural and educational life of the school community;

The P&F plays an important role to support QCE element 3.2 Parents and Caregivers – Catholic Education partners with and supports parents and caregivers as the first educators of their children.

Only a school P&F can represent the interests of the whole parent body in a school. 

Governance

What is it?

Good governance is about the processes for making and implementing decisions. It’s not about making ‘correct’ decisions, but about the best possible process for making those decisions.

Good governance is:

• accountable
• transparent
• responsive
• equitable and inclusive
• effective and efficient
• participatory

P&F Office Bearers have the important responsibility of making sure that every decision of the school P&F benefits the whole school community.

School P&Fs can…

• and should be the group that builds and exemplifies community spirit within the school
• fundraise and/or allocate funds from their levy to school projects that are identified in collaboration with the school Principal and Advisory Council

School P&Fs can’t…

• get involved in the operational decisions of the school
• operate independently of the school’s leadership and Advisory Council.

The set of governing rules- Terms of Reference

The P&F Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference generally has a standard number of clauses, all of which are important and must be adhered to but there are a few that need careful consideration:

• Name of the P&F
• Authority (Catholic Education Commission of WA)
• Aims and objectives, identified as The Functions in the P&F Terms of Reference
• Insurance
• Membership of the P&F - who can be an ordinary member and an ex-officio member
• The Office Bearers
• Election of Office Bearers and Voting Rights of Members of the P&F
• Office Bearer responsibilities and term of office, sub-comittees
• Committee member training and development
• Meeting process and procedure including voting and minutes
• Number of members required for a quorum
• Functions of the P&F and its members, which specifies how and who can make decisions to carry out the aims of the P&F
• Financial responsibilities
• Reporting to the community
• Reviewing the P&F
• Dismissing or winding up of the P&F

It is very important to have a Terms of Reference especially when governance issues arise and a process and an agreed set of rules are required to resolve them. Set a review date to make sure the Terms of Reference is kept current.

It is everyone’s individual responsibility to read the Terms of Reference and the Secretary’s responsibility to have it at hand at meetings.  It is a good idea to request that the school place the P&F’s Terms of Reference in a secure part of their website for the school community to access. CSPWA are very familiar with the Terms of Reference and are happy to answer any questions you may have.

The different roles

What are you?

A P&F cannot function without a core group of people, collectively named the ‘office bearers’.  They are defined as the:

• Chair
• Deputy Chair
• Treasurer, and 
• Secretary

The Terms of Reference specifies a Committee which must consist of the four office bearers, and the school Principal, or their delegate attends an ex-officio member. Additional roles may include a School Advisory Council representative, a Parish Council representative, the Parish priest, again as an ex-officio member, and other members as deemed necessary.

There are other nominal positions within the P&F which depending on the context of the school and the structure of the group, can be allocated each year. Examples of these are:

• Class representatives
• Sub-committee coordinators, eg. Quiz night, Music/Arts support group, Pastoral Care
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Junior Campus/Senior Campus Coordinator

Of course, just attending the P&F’s meetings and/or supporting their events is a valuable contribution and you don’t need to have a role to be an important contributor to the group or its success.  But, always bear in mind, the need to be inclusive in your deliberations and effort.

Each of the office bearer roles are elaborated on in the following section.

The role of Chair

The Chair of the P&F is required to:

• abide by the P&F Terms of Reference
• be inclusive of all views, perspectives and people,
• provide leadership and direction for the P&F,
• ensure all governance responsibilities are met,
• act as the P&F’s representative and spokesperson,
• develop positive working relationships with other office bearers and members of the P&F,
• be a good listener and role model,
• encourage parents and others to participate in the meetings and activities of the P&F and the school,
• report to the Catholic School community as appropriate in consultation with the Principal, and
• actively pursue a collaborative working relationship with the Principal and the Parish priest.

Additional duties include

• ensuring that the school community has been advised of the meeting and together with the Secretary, preparing an agenda,
• ensuring a quorum is present,
• conducting meetings in a fit and proper manner,
• following up on any action items of the previous meeting, 
• ensuring the minutes of the previous meeting are accepted and signed,
• giving all members the opportunity to speak but also to confine speakers to the matters under discussion,
• ensuring the P&F Committee understand the financial status of the P&F in liaision with the P&F Treasurer, and
• being impartial.

Be Fair
Be Firm
Be Friendly

Note: Make sure to always comply with the relevant sections of the P&F Terms of Reference.

Meeting effectiveness

An important part of the Chair’s role

Meetings that drag on for hours are never an efficient use of time and resources, for you or anyone else. Neither are they enjoyable or sustainable... people will begin to stay away.

Here are 7 great tips for running a successful meeting:

1. Prepare a written agenda in advance.
2. Review the attendee list.
3. Manage the meeting by the clock.
4. Use the “Parking Lot” to manage off topic discussions.
5. Prepare in advance for important points and decisions - this does not mean determine the outcome before the meeting, it simply means speak to others, especially the other Office Bearers, about the key points that need to be covered in the meeting.
6. Take notes for yourself.  Record important points, questions or clarifications.
7. Follow up on the meeting. Do it as soon as you can or make a note for the appropriate time.

To read more, click here.

The role of the Deputy Chair

The Chair’s right-hand

To understand the role of the Deputy Chair, it’s important to be familiar with the overarching responsibilities of the Chair.

In essence, they are to:

• provide leadership and direction for the P&F, 
• ensure all governance responsibilities are met,
• act as the P&F’s representative and spokesperson, 
• develop positive working relationships with other office bearers and members of the P&F, 
• be a good listener and role model,
• encourage parents and others to participate in the activities of the P&F and the school, and
• actively pursue a collaborative working relationship with the Principal and the Parish priest. 

So then, the specific duty of a Deputy Chair is to run those meetings for which the Chair is absent and step into the role of Chair in the event that person in unable to fulfill their duties.

In many P&Fs that is all that is required of a Deputy Chair, which means they operate during the year as just another member of the Committee.  However, the Deputy Chair’s role can be far greater and they should play a constructive role and not just be considered an understudy to the Chair. 

Deputy Chairs should become familiar with the operation of the P&F and acquaint themselves with the duties of the Chair, including a working knowledge of meeting procedures. In addition, Deputy Chairs should also be able to raise concerns with the Chair where they arise, act as convenor for any sub-committees established by the Committee and undertake other tasks to assist with the workload of the Chair. It’s a great role to make your own.

Note: Make sure to always comply with the relevant sections of the P&F Terms of Reference.

The role of Treasurer

Overseer of the finances

The Treasurer is responsible for providing feedback to the P&F in regards to the finances of the group, in the form of a financial report tabled at each meeting. It is important to understand that the Treasurer is the steward and not the owner of the funds. In line with the new P&F Terms of Reference, P&F receipt and payment of monies must be transacted through the school operating bank account, with the P&F funds quarantined for P&F endorsed use only.

As detailed in the P&F Terms of Reference guidelines, the Treasurer is required to:

• prepare and present a finance report at each P&F meeting;
• prepare and present the Annual Financial Report at the Annual Community Meeting;
• prepare the annual budget to support the P&F Annual Event Plan;
• support the P&F Committee to prepare a plan of how fundraising income received and P&F levies (if applicable) will be spent. The plan should be prepared in consultation with the School Leadership Team and the School Advisory Council, once a planning meeting has been conducted (see 11.9 P&F Terms of Reference);
• collect and bank monies from fundraising events;
• collate P&F reimbursement forms, petty cash receipts and supplier invoices and ensure they are correctly authorised before providing to school finance staff for payment;
• ensure grant acquittal requirements are met (if applicable); and
• ensure motions relating to finance decisions, including approval of donations to the school, are presented to P&F Committee (where applicable).

To protect both the Treasurer and the P&F, it is strongly recommended that:

1. the elected person holds a current National Police Clearance, which can be applied for through Australia Post, and
2. the Treasurer follows the P&F Financial Practices Guide to ensure compliance to CEWA’s Policies and Executive Directives.

All Catholic schools must hold an appropriate insurance policy with Catholic Church Insurance to cover the P&F members and CEWA against losses for any unintentional wrongful act committed.

The role of Secretary

Minute-taker & Record-keeper

The Secretary of a P&F is in charge of: 

• preparing and distributing the agenda and meeting papers in collaboration with the Chair and Principal, and where possible distributing with the draft minutes of the previous meeting,
• taking and recording proper and accurate minutes of meetings,
• ensuring that final minutes are signed by the Chair and stored securely,
• formulating and posting all notices of meetings, and
• providing a list of the P&F Committee members and contact details to the Principal following the Annual Community Meeting.

Importantly, the Secretary is entrusted with maintaining the records of the P&F. 

The Secretary also has responsibility to: 

• ensure that all appropriate documents are presented to members for discussion and to act upon any decisions as directed by the meeting except for such action or correspondence assigned to others,
• ensure all correspondence (including that which comes from CSPWA) is tabled at meetings and retained for future reference, 
• provide a copy of the Terms of Reference at all meetings, and
• ensure that proper notification is given of committee and ACM meetings as specified in the Terms of Reference. 

Remember…

• the minutes of the meeting should be complete yet concise, expressing only facts and not the writer's opinions!
• the success of a meeting can be affected by the information given on the agenda. 

Note: Make sure to always comply with the relevant sections of your P&F’s Terms of Reference

The role of Representative to the School Advisory Council

The important go-between

The P&F Representative on the School Advisory Council is usually nominated and elected at the Annual Community Meeting of the P&F and as a member of the School Advisory Council, that person is then bound by the Catholic School Advisory Council Terms of Reference. 

At the monthly general meetings of the P&F, the School Advisory Council rep should report on any matters discussed at the School Advisory Council meeting which are relevant to parents or the P&F, but are not of a confidential nature.  The School Advisory Council rep should also direct the Advisory Council’s attention to any appropriate matters that the P&F seeks to have raised at Advisory Council level. 

Note: Make sure to always comply with the relevant sections of the P&F Terms of Reference.

P&F Committee Member Training and Development

The P&F Terms of Reference state that Committee members must participate in learning opportunities, at least annually, regarding the school’s Code of Conduct, CEWA’s Child Protection Procedures, and any child safe practices within their Catholic school community. The Principal is responsible for coordinating and delivering this training

P&F Committee members should also participate in a CEWA approved information session in their initial year of membership, for example this CSPWA online induction and the face to face session offered at the beginning of each school year.

P&F Committee members must provide a current National Police Clearance check upon their appointment to an office bearer position, with the cost to be borne by the school. Applications can be lodged via the Australia post website.

 

General Members of the P&F

The vital attendee

All parents of enrolled students at the school are considered general members of the P&F. Research over many decades has shown that parent involvement in schools increases student achievement and wellbeing. 

The benefits of parent and family engagement include higher test scores and grades, better attendance, higher completion of homework, positive attitudes and behaviour, higher graduation rates and greater enrolment in higher education.  [Emerson, L., Fear. J., Fox, S., and Sanders, E. (2012). Parental engagement in learning and schooling: Lessons from research. A report by the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) for the Family-School and Community Partnerships Bureau: Canberra]

Studies into family-school partnerships indicates that benefits are apparent not only for younger children but all students through to high school, so although parent involvement typically is strongest at the primary level, continued involvement through the middle grades and at the secondary school level is important in encouraging and guiding children’s development and achievement.

One way to be involved with the schooling of your children is to attend the P&F meetings.  

There are many positives including:

• meeting parents from all year groups in the school,
• being able to speak with and hear from the Principal and leadership team in a small group setting,
• having a say in the disbursement of the P&F's funds in relation to school requests and needs, and
• being part of a like-minded group of parents interested in contributing to the school and the education of all the students, not just your own children.

"Parents' support is critical in the educational process.  Therefore, we urge parents to use the school processes and opportunities to facilitate their involvement." - Bishops Mandate 4:76.

Building relationships

Trust leads to effective relationships, which in turn leads to strong partnerships. 

Being a part of a school P&F, in any capacity, will necessitate the building and maintenance of collaborative relationships with other parents, the school’s leadership team (particularly the Principal), staff, teachers and the Parish. 

Some key points:

• Trusting relationships are built on honesty and respect.  
• Relationships are two-way interactions so they’re important to get right and are the responsibility of both parties.
• Listen as much as you talk.
• Recognise commonality and acknowledge your differences.
• Keeping the privacy and confidentiality of information, as mentioned in this resource, is a key component of trust.
• Positive, respectful relationships, no matter who is involved, leads to feeling valued, connected and appreciated.

Confidentiality

As a member of a school P&F or as an Office Bearer, there will be occasions when you receive information that must be kept confidential.

This can be through:

• formal channels, for example, the School Advisory Council, from the Principal or even a list of parents’ contact details for a particular year group gathered with consent, or 
• informal channels, for example, conversations with other members of the P&F, teachers, parents or students in the school.

It is very important to maintain confidentiality as respect, trust and confidence are the foundations for building and maintaining relationships (and your reputation). 

It is useful to clarify the confidentiality or otherwise of matters discussed at a meeting so when in doubt, ask.  Don’t assume.

Privacy and confidentiality are sometimes interchanged but in a school context, privacy generally relates to information about people (a list of parents’ names and phone numbers, that a teacher is in hospital, individual student or family issues) whereas confidentiality is broader and covers not just personal information but also that of the school such as operational, staffing and financial matters.

Building Relationships with your wider community

CSPWA have developed guidelines to assist Catholic school parents in building positive relationships between their Catholic school community and members of State and Federal Parliament, Senators and Local Councillors.

All school communities should strive to have a good, active relationship with their local members of State and Federal Parliament, senators, and local councillors. These local members are our representatives, and the lives of our Catholic school communities are very important to them. The development of positive relationships with your representatives at all levels of government is immensely important as it enables politicians to know first-hand the great work happening at your school and to form personal connections with parents (taxpayers and voters). These established relationships mean that when there is an issue, they are more likely to take a personal interest and advocate on your behalf with the government or local council. It is also very important to include senators in these relationships as they are usually a great source of support and information and can provide a broader state-wide perspective on issues.

The guide is available on our website and provides tips on how to approach meetings with local members and senators. It includes suggestions regarding who you might like to invite from your school community, how to contact the local members, and suggested guidelines and protocols to help with conducting a successful meeting and follow up.

David Scaife MLA with Mater Christi Catholic Primary School P&F

Ways of communicating

There are ways of communicating and methods of communication.

Positive and effective ways of communicating include:

• choosing your words carefully to ensure you mean what you say, both in conversation and in writing,
• making sure your body language is open and responsive, especially your facial expressions, body posture and gestures.  Frowning, crossed arms and finger pointing are examples of negative nonverbal communication,
• listening as much as you talk and if there are more than two people in a meeting, offering everyone an opportunity to speak, 
• being mindful of the audience, eg. cultural differences or simply, a particular year group; and
• always being respectful.

In many instances, issues arise because of insufficient, untimely or no communication and issues are solved because of good and positive communication.  It is one of the most critical elements contributing to the success of a school P&F and indeed any interaction between parents, the school and staff.  Establishing the right communication channels and being clear about the ‘why’, ‘how’ and ‘who’ is very important and should be done in consultation with the school leadership team. 

The best communication methods succeed...

“in putting across the right message in a clear, unambiguous way that gets noticed by the target audience… and good communicators succeed in choosing the best medium of communication for the particular purpose in mind."

There are many methods of communication and sometimes more than one way will be necessary to ensure that the message is delivered to the intended audience.  Essentially they can be divided into:

• face-to-face – eg. formal scheduled meetings, informal conversations like year group get-togethers, 
• written – eg. newsletters, emails, social media, and
• online meetings - eg. via Teams or Zoom.

Click here to read “5 Ways to Communicate More Clearly.”

The importance of "Handover"

School P&Fs run on the goodwill of volunteers.  This together with preset terms of office and the nature of school life means that there will always be turnover in the membership and Office Bearers of the P&F.  

To ensure that your good work and contribution is continued after you leave, it is really important to establish and carry out a good handover process for your respective successor.  This benefits them and allows you to pass on your experience and knowledge.

Here are some tips to keep in mind which will make handover easier when the time comes:

• set up a file in which to keep all the documents relating to your role.  It's often useful for the next person to be able to see what has gone before to give them an idea of how to go forward. These documents could be saved in a P&F OneDrive account. Please speak to your Principal about setting one up.
• develop a run sheet after each event of what was ordered, what it cost, how many people participated and what could have been done better.

Some documents you may want to include in your handover besides those directly relating to your role may be:

• Letter of appointment or welcome.
• Duties and responsibilities of Office bearers and other positions.
• Code of Conduct.
• Meeting schedule for the year.
• Calendar of scheduled events.
• The P&F Terms of Reference.
• Minutes of the last ACM.
• Minutes of the most recent general meeting and any sub-committee meetings (where applicable)

The importance of a planning meeting

CSPWA encourage members of the School Advisory Council, School Leadership Team and the P&F to come together at the beginning of each school year, to develop an agreed plan for friend-raising and fundraising. This will provide the P&F committee with an insight into the main priorities for the school for the coming year, and whether the P&F may be able to offer a contribution.

You can access our planning meeting guide through our website. It covers:

• The purpose of the group
• The term for membership
• Who should be invited to participate
• The meeting schedule
• Roles and Responsibilities of the group
• Amendment, Modification or Variation to the guidelines.

The Road to Resolution

Suggestions for Resolving Disagreements

There are times when issues arise between members of the school P&F, between the group and the Principal or between the Office Bearers and the Principal.  Most are easily resolved, especially when they are addressed early, but sometimes they can impact on individuals or the group.  Here are some tips to get the work and relationships back on track.

• The key to a great partnership is to try not to let issues or problems get out of hand in the first place. It is very important to understand the benefits of establishing positive and respectful relationships from the beginning as this helps to make the difficult conversations a little easier should they occur.
• Remember that more often than not, everyone is seeking the same outcome and that is to help or improve the school community.  It is the approach, actions or inaction that can cause the problem, so take a step back and note points in common as well as the areas of difference.  
• Communication is critical and usually meeting face-to-face can alleviate any concerns, give immediate feedback and provide the common understanding necessary to begin the discussions. There are some key points to note:
• Make a mutually convenient time to meet. You are much more likely to achieve a good outcome if you are talking at a time when neither party is distracted by other issues or people. This also gives both parties time to prepare what they wish to say.
• Approach the meeting with an open mind. You may not have all the facts. Use attentive body language and maintain eye contact. Listen carefully. 
• Keep in mind that you are going along to try and solve an issue. It doesn’t help to be confrontational or emotional as it is rarely useful. It can be helpful to try and rehearse what you need to say as this can help you to speak and act appropriately. 
• A collaborative approach is more likely to give a positive and sustained outcome. The other party won’t always have the answer, so it may be that you will need to go through the options together. Try to be objective and show commitment to resolving the issue together.  An opening statement such as ‘there is a problem we need to solve together’ or ‘there is a misunderstanding that we need to clear up’ is useful.
• Ensure that you organise a follow up meeting once you have put a plan in place. It is important for both parties to have an opportunity to discuss the progress of the plan and to feel satisfied that things are progressing as they should. 

Quality Catholic Education

The vision of Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) is one of a Christ-centred and child-focused community of engaged learning environments, inspiring all to actively live the Gospel.

The QCE Framework contains the guiding principles for our schools and school communities. At the core of CEWA is a commitment to deliver a quality education that is child-focused and Christ-centred. The four pillars of QCE help to remind everyone in our school communities that they are a part of something bigger. QCE is a common language your community can come to.  It allows everyone to come together with a common goal, based on shared values.

There is broad scope in how the mission is applied, which allows our schools to adapt to different needs of individuals and communities, albeit with respect for the heritage and commitment to Catholic identity. 

The dignity of each child is at the heart of every decision and action that we make.

Quality Catholic Education Framework

Catholic Social Teaching Principles

The Catholic Social Teaching Principles are inspired by the writings of the Pope and other Catholic leaders about social issues. Catholic Social Teaching reflects the signs of the times through scripture and is a powerful tool to assess social realities in the light of the gospel.

Introduction to CEWA Child Safe Framework

 

Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) schools and care centres are Christ-centred and child-focused learning communities that support students to develop to their full God-given potential. Key to this is ensuring the learning environment is safe, engaging and supportive.

The Child Safe Framework has been designed to support schools in maintaining such an environment. The framework outlines the policies, practices and behaviours found in our schools that underpin a culture prioritising the best interests of children and young people.

All members of our community share the responsibility for this healthy culture.

The framework is based upon the following key concepts;

Situational Prevention

Extended Guardianship

Healthy Respectful relationships.

These concepts are reflected in your school’s Code of Conduct.

Situational Prevention. Your school's Code of Conduct is designed to create a school environment that eliminates opportunities for student’s to be abused that is a model for students and the wider community.

Extended Guardianship. The aim of your school’s Code of Conduct is to unite staff, students, parents, volunteers, visitors and other members of your school community in defining, modelling and promoting the safety and wellbeing of students – wherever they are. 

Healthy and Respectful. Your school's Code of Conduct will define behaviours that reflect healthy, respectful relationships between students and adults that are modelled by staff, copied by parents, and sought after by students in all their relationships. 

For more information on the key concepts and to understand how schools are maintaining these environments visit the CEWA Child safe Catholic schools’ website https://childsafe.cewa.edu.au/

Celebrate!

Awards of Excellence

The Awards of Excellence in Building Positive Catholic School Communities is an integral part of the work that Catholic School Parents WA does in acknowledging and celebrating the amazing work that is carried out within our Catholic school communities.

The awards celebrate those within our school communities who demonstrate positive outcomes for students, families, and the wider school community. There are four award categories; Parent, Parent Group, Parish, and Principal. Our 5^th award is The Agnes Weymouth Award and is if for any member/ team of the Catholic school, who consistently contributes to building a positive school community.

Calls for nominations usually take place early in term 2, with the awards night held in term 3. More information can be found on our website.

Judging Criteria

 Parent

• works collaboratively with the Principal, staff and other parents
• actively works for the benefit of the school, its parents, and students
• promotes and affirms the work of the school in the education of the children
• creates opportunities in the school to build community

Parent Group

• works collaboratively with the Principal and staff
• organises and /or promotes social initiatives to encourage community involvement
• promotes and affirms the work of the school in education of the children
• takes the time to listen to and support school requests
• provides good networking opportunities in the school to build community

Parish

• works collaboratively for the benefit of both the school community and the parish
• actively engages with social initiatives
• promotes and affirms the work of the school and the parish
• provides good networking opportunities in the school and parish to build community

Principal

• works collaboratively with the school community
• actively engages with and supports P&F initiatives
• promotes and affirms the work of the P&F in their school
• takes time to listen to parent perspective
• supports the building of community and networking opportunities

Agnes Weymouth Award

• any member of school community is eligible for this award - especially if they sit outside one of the four previous criteria (Nominees could include, but are not limited to teachers, maintenance teams, administrative staff or those staff members who commit to extra-curricular activities.)
• supports the school by working in partnership for the best outcomes for all

Where to go for more information

Your first call if you require more information on any of the topics covered in this online resource should be Catholic School Parents WA (CSPWA) your peak parent organisation. Our highly skilled and connected staff are more than willing to help you. 

Contact us

• through our website, www.csp.wa.edu.au
• by phone 9338 9985
• by email admin@csp.wa.edu.au
• Via Facebook, www.facebook.com/cspwa or
• Twitter @CSPWA

Your school Principal is a critical friend if you’re involved with or considering joining your school P&F. They are always open to assisting parents and parent groups in their school and can provide the local context for some of the big picture aspects covered in this resource.

CSPWA offers a wide range of support to P&Fs in affiliated Catholic Schools. These include, but are not limited to:

• School visits
• Zoom meetings
• Phone contact
• Online resources and templates
• Online induction

CSPWA also encourages P&Fs to inform us if they can not find the information they require. We are always happy to develop new resources to assist parents in being positively engaged in their school community.

Click here to view the glossary.