Guidelines for Parent Groups/P&Fs 

Catholic School Parents WA is an integral part of the Catholic school structure and is a valuable instrument in this important Church Apostolate of education.

To ensure its effectiveness, the Parent Group/P&F should:

  • Adhere to the aims and objectives of the group as laid down by the P&F Terms of Reference, approved by the Catholic Bishops of Western Australia;

  • 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 Authorities, in particular the school Principal, who is the leader of the school community, to achieve common goals;

  • Ensure that a high level of social and educational interaction exists between home and school, parents and teachers;

  • Endeavor to have all parents enjoy the exciting experience of their children’s formal school years by active participation and personal involvement in the school programs;

  • Provide a healthy forum for ideas and discussion on any relevant issue that will benefit the education of the children;

  • In particular, concern itself with further education for the parents of the school in their faith development and ensure that a clear understanding of the school’s religious education program exists;

  • Assist in planning and organising functions associated with the social, sporting, cultural and educational life of the school community;

  • Work to provide additional resources which are considered necessary for the children or to assist the teachers in their professional work. Whilst this role has been and will continue to be very important in Catholic schools, it should not be the only function of the Parent Group, which should ensure that its activities extend into the above areas as well.

To ensure the proper running of the Parent Group/P&F the Committee should:

  • Be responsible for the planning, management and organisation of the Parent Group/P&F's affairs;

  • Hold regular (preferably twice a term) general meetings, to which all parents, the Principal, teachers, parish clergy and/or religious organisations associated with the school, and other interested persons be invited;

  • Conduct meetings in a fitting and proper manner with respect for accepted meeting procedures;

  • Use known and successful organisational tools, such as sub-committees, task forces, seminars and discussion groups, to encourage wider participation, develop increased responsibility and achieve more effective results;

  • Appoint a person or form a sub-committee to be responsible for various activities and dissemination of information pertaining to the P&F’s areas of responsibility to the school community, e.g. education policy issues, adult education, religious education, CSPWA correspondence and events, social, cultural and sporting activities, the parent-teacher partnership, etc;

  • Nominate a P&F representative on the School Advisory Council;

  • Nominate delegates for election to the P&F Committee;

  • Be responsible for all financial and administrative matters pertaining to the P&F’s activities, including the payment of affiliation fees and the supply of Office Bearers’ details to CSPWA.