Volunteer Interview

Ben Miskin

What year level are your relatives in?

I have a niece, Mia, who is in Year Two, and a nephew, Mason, who has started this year in Prep.

What roles have you volunteered for during your time at BNPS?

In the past I’ve been a regular volunteer with the in-class reading programs, but this year I’ve shifted my focus and have been doing a full day in the Canteen each Friday since the beginning of term one.

Why do you volunteer at BNPS?

I’ve been coming to BNPS each day for the past two and a half years, doing the drop off, pick up and after-school run for Mia and Mason, both to help their mum and dad and to stay involved in their lives as they grow up. Coming here each day made me aware of the volunteering opportunities available, and the Canteen seemed like a good place to help out, especially as Jenny is always looking for an extra pair of hands.

Doing a regular shift has been a great way to meet and work with other volunteers, learn the ins and outs of running the Canteen, and to interact with the students each recess and lunch time. I’d encourage anyone who was interested to volunteer for a shift or two, as it has been a rewarding experience. 

What is your background/current role (outside of BNPS!)?

I have been fortunate enough to retire early, so that’s why I have plenty of free time to dedicate to the school drop offs and pickups, and to volunteer in the Canteen. Before retiring, I used to work in Canberra as a Specialist Librarian, first in Parliament House and then at the Institute of Criminology.

What do you do during your spare time?

What does any retired Librarian do? Reading, so much reading. Plus plenty of cooking, exercise, photography, providing the after school activity taxi service, and constantly planning (and daydreaming about) my next overseas adventure. 

What’s the best thing about BNPS?

Having now volunteered in the Canteen weekly for the past six months I’ve had a great opportunity to interact with, and get to know, the full range of kids at the school, from the preppies who are still figuring out how money works to the forever hungry grade sixers. They have all been friendly, outgoing, confident, well mannered (well, for the most part), and their positive social skills and overall behaviour reflects well on them, their teachers and the workings of BNPS as a whole.