At Woodend Primary School we are committed to providing a safe working and learning environment for all. Volunteers play an integral role in the school community.

A ‘volunteer’ is a person who provides a service under the supervision of staff but does not receive remuneration.

We thank all volunteers for their valuable contribution to our school community. Volunteers at school fall into five categories:
1. Working with students in a classroom
2. Supporting teachers and students on excursions and camps
3. Supporting staff in the implementation of programs and in the development of resources
4. Coaching sporting teams
5. Representative on committees and Governing Council

To support the work of volunteers in our school an induction program is provided by the leadership team. The induction program may include the following topics:
◆ General information about the school, including staff names and roles, timetables etc.
◆ Mandatory notification
◆ Safety & Emergency procedures
◆ Duty of Care responsibilities
◆ Confidentiality requirements
◆ Training and requirements specific to the area of volunteer work

The induction program will be offered every term with morning and evening sessions available. Volunteers will receive a certificate and will be required to sign the training record on completion of the induction. This record will be kept in the front office of the school.

Please note that in order to ensure student safety schools are increasingly requiring criminal history checks for volunteers working with children and young people. At Woodend we currently require criminal history checks for volunteers who support classes on camp, coach sporting teams etc

Essential Behaviours for All Volunteers

The volunteer’s most important responsibility relates to his/her duty of care to students. Students are a vulnerable group generally, due to their age and lack of experience. Their vulnerability increases if they are very young, if they have an intellectual or physical disability, if they are newly arrived in Australia with English as a second language or if they experience emotional/physical neglect.

Volunteers at the school are acting under the supervision and direction of a staff member.

For volunteers, respecting the rights of children means they must:
◆ Ensure respectful interactions with all students, staff and adults.
◆ Ensure, wherever reasonably possible, that another adult is present or close by when working with students. Avoid being alone with a student or students.
◆ Avoid any behaviour that could be reasonably interpreted as harassment, inappropriate or harmful. Never ridicule, demean or intimidate a student or adult or threaten their sense of personal safety.
◆ Speak to the supervising teacher if at all concerned that the relationship with students is uncomfortable, dysfunctional or unproductive.

Essential Behaviours for All Volunteers

Volunteers and visitors to the school should:
◆ Report to the school office and sign in via the Attendance Kiosk.
◆ Collect your visitor ticket, which contains your Pass Number
◆ Upon completion of the volunteer task, sign-out via the Attendance Kiosk, quoting your Pass Number

Student Behaviour

We value your input and expect students to treat you with respect and courtesy at all times. If students behave inappropriately, you should tell them that the behaviour is offensive or inappropriate. If that behaviour persists, please seek help from the supervising staff member or a member of the Leadership Team.

First Aid

If at any time you require first aid assistance, you should contact the staff in the school office or the designated first aid officer if accompanying students out of the school.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Any personal information about students, staff and volunteers that you become aware of during your volunteer work must not be shared unless it is related to mandatory notification requirements. This includes names, addresses, telephone numbers, circumstances or situations of any nature. Strict provisions under the Privacy Act prohibit the release of information for a purpose not intended when the information was collected.

Please refrain from making any comments about the use of individual teaching methodologies or student behaviour management. Any concerns or questions regarding such matters should be directed to the supervising teacher, or Leadership Team.

Toilets

Please use the staff toilets in the school office area, not the toilets provided for student use.

You will not be required to assist with the toileting of students nor with the sickroom or change room activities.

Grievances

We expect to resolve grievances fairly and promptly. If you have a grievance please follow the school’s grievance procedures.

Safety

The school is responsible for providing a safe working environment.

You are asked to take reasonable responsibility for your own health and safety and to avoid the possibility of an accident or injury while you are at school. Special care is needed when lifting heavy objects. Do not participate in any activity that is likely to put you, a student or anyone else at risk.

All injuries, accidents and near misses must be reports to the supervising teacher or front office staff as soon as possible and before leaving the school site.

Emergency Procedures

Please make yourself familiar with the school’s emergency procedures which are clearly displayed in every room. In the event of an emergency please follow the instructions of your supervising teacher.

  A continuous blast of the siren ---------------------------- indicates an evacuation and you will be required to report to the oval.
Continued 2 short, 1 long blast of the siren --- -------------- --- --------------- --- -------------- indicates an invacuation and you will be required to remain inside.

Electrical Equipment and Hazardous Substances

Portable electrical equipment must be electrically tested and tagged on site. Tagging of equipment occurs in September each year.

All substances used at Woodend Primary School have filed Material Data Safety Sheets.

If bringing materials/substances of your own, please check with the supervising teacher.