Parents and friends associations
Most schools have a parents’ association, often called the Parents and Friends Association or a Parents Auxiliary. These groups offer an opportunity for parents to gather and become involved in the life of the school. These groups take many forms and provide support for the school in areas such as:
- social functions
- maintenance of grounds, buildings and equipment
- fundraising for particular needs in the school
- voluntary support for educational programs.
Parent groups can also assist in fostering the intellectual, cultural, social and spiritual interests of their members, and provide opportunities for the development of community spirit among the staff, parents, parish and wider community.
School Boards
Parish–school education boards
Parish–school education boards, or school advisory boards/councils, are established in most Catholic schools. These boards bring together the parish priest, principal and parents in a spirit of collaboration to realise the school’s vision and achieve its educational aims.
More details about the work of the board, its procedures and processes are available from each school.
School/College boards
College boards are established in most Catholic secondary colleges. College boards bring together priests, members of religious orders, principals and parents and friends of the college in a spirit of collaboration to realise the college’s vision and achieve its educational aims. The boards are established under various governance models and vary in responsibility and function, from advisory boards, incorporated boards or boards of management. Membership is defined in the board constitution.
Procedures and processes for parent representation on college boards are available through the principal’s office in each secondary college.
Catholic School Parents Victoria (formerly Victorian Catholic Schools Parent Body)
Catholic School Parents Victoria (CSPV) is a Catholic school parent representative council providing parent perspective in Catholic education at a diocesan, State and national level.
Working across five key areas of advocacy: Child Safety and Wellbeing, Curriculum, Parent Engagement, School Funding and Catholic Identity, Catholic School Parents Victoria:
- provides a forum to represent parents in Victorian Catholic schools
- promote parents as partners in education with the school, the Church and the community
- promotes the principles of Catholic education in collaboration with the diocesan Bishops
- promote Catholic schools as schools of first choice for Catholic families.
Each diocese and region has at least one representative on the CSPV council who contributes to ensuring parent voice is heard and that schools are informed about diocesan, state and national issues.
For more information about the council or to express your interest in joining, contact Executive Officer, Rachel Saliba on 03 9267 0458, email secretary@cspv.catholic.edu.au or visit the CSPV website: www.cspv.catholic.edu.au.