Chaplains Chat 

National Volunteer Week (NVW) is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteers.  From Monday May 17th to Sunday May 23rd, NVW will celebrate the significant contribution of Australia’s almost 6 million volunteers, who dedicate over 600 million hours to help others. That pretty amazing!  The theme this year is Recognise, Reconnect and Reimagine.

RECOGNISE

Never has this been more evident than after a year where Australia has dealt with drought, devastating bushfires, floods and then a global pandemic.  While many stayed home during the pandemic, volunteers continued to deliver essential services, arrange food packages and offer care, comfort and more to help support the well-being of Australians.   I know that there were many within our own school community who went over and above to help support others who were less fortunate.  Those of us who were still working at school, were often blessed with home- made biscuits in the staff room, kindly messages of encouragement for the teachers who worked so hard to provide an amazing online learning space for our students.

This year we are very privileged to have an amazing team of parent helpers who get up extra early on a Tuesday and Thursday to arrive and set up our ‘Breakfast Club.’  It is a busy space but we all enjoy the buzz and especially the opportunity to provide so many options for our students to enjoy a healthy and nourishing breakfast before they commence a day of learning.

RECONNECT

In a year, when due to social isolation, many of us have experienced increased loneliness or isolation, mental health or financial stress, volunteering can certainly help. Research shows that volunteering connects us to others in our local communities and to improved mental well-being.   When we help others in our community or give our time to a cause we value, we also give back to ourselves.  I really value and appreciate the friendships that have developed as our many parent volunteers support a number of the programs within the school.  I have seen these friendships grow and develop and extend beyond the school, which is great. We all need each other and it’s certainly nice to know that others are there to offer care and support when they can.

REIMAGINE

Did you know that during COVID – 19, two-thirds of volunteers stopped working. In the current changing environment, where Australians are time poor and experiencing higher degrees of uncertainty and stress, we need to reimagine how we do things.  We need to collaborate more and adapt our volunteering practices and programs so we can better support and engage volunteers to continue the incredibly valuable work that they do.  If you would like to volunteer at the school or in your child’s classroom, please come and have a chat. I love that within the school, the opportunities and flexibility to volunteer are many.  I have seen mums with toddlers and babies not letting this stop them from helping out when they can.  I have seen dads and grandparents as well.   All are welcome and it starts with a simple conversation.

I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere and heartfelt thanks to each and every parent volunteer.  Your help and support does not go unnoticed.   We value and appreciate all you do and who you are.