There is a strong sense of community at St Philip Neri and parents are actively involved in all aspects of school life. Parents value education and are interested in all that pertains to their child’s learning.
The P&F represents all families and friends of students at the school. The P&F is very active and involved in raising funds for the benefit of students, enhancing the profile of the school and strengthening ties within the school community. It is a very strong and active organisation and is an integral part of this school. The P&F meets once each term with the Executive meeting an additional four times. There is an annual election of office bearers to the Executive Committee. Their role is to facilitate, coordinate and organise activities within the Association.
Annually there are two major fundraisers. A Dinner Dance (in May) is a social highlight. The St Philip Neri community action their “Deeds not Words” motto by reaching out to the wider community. A classic example of this was the development and sale of a school cook book called “Homemade”. This was a fabulous community production as the recipes were volunteered by the families of the school community. They were recipes that were passed down through generations. This project was also the sole fundraiser for our joint Social Justice Project to support Goodooga Central School. The profits of this cook book were used to fund a market garden and indigenous outdoor learning centre in Goodooga.
The school community also organises and caters for such events as the Tears and Tissues for Kindergarten parents on the first day of school, the morning tea for Grandparent’s Day and the farewell for Year 6 children, parents and friends.
Every class has a group of parents who take on the role of class parents. Their responsibilities include the following:
- co-ordinating informal get-togethers for parents and children
- welcoming new families
- helping mothers with new babies or illness in the family
- assisting class teachers in a variety of roles
- assisting the P&F with fundraising efforts and social events.
Specific functions include organising:
- Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea
- Welcome Morning Tea for Kindergarten parents
- End of Year Party
- Welcome Drinks Evening
- Father’s Day Breakfast
- Afternoon Tea after Confirmation
- Morning Tea after First Communion.
These activities enhance the spirit of the community and help to make everyone feel very welcome and involved at the school. The school promotes and encourages the concept of parents supporting the class teacher in optimising the learning opportunities for the children. Teachers value and appreciate the extra support provided by parents. Parents have assisted in the curriculum areas of literacy, numeracy, dance, sport, technology, art and science. In addition they have accompanied classes on excursions and assisted in the library.
The Uniform Shop is run by parent volunteers. They manage the shop and organise the ordering, purchasing and stocking of summer, winter, and sports uniforms. Profits from the Uniform Shop are presented to the P&F.
Each class has a Focus Mass during the year at the regular 9am Sunday Mass. Class parents work with the Religious Education Coordinator and class teacher to co-ordinate the Mass and organise the morning tea that follows.
Parents are always supportive of our sporting events. Many parents assist at our whole school swimming and athletics carnivals. Parents also help with the coaching and training of our athletes for gala days and cluster carnivals and are often called upon to take on significant roles at these events.
In times of illness the St Philip Neri community need to be commended for the way in which they reach out and assist families by preparing meals, minding children, and collecting and dropping off children to school. At St Philip Neri we constantly give thanks for being blessed with the valuable partnership that we have with our parents.
The school works closely with the Parish Administrator and the Parish Associate. There is a strong relationship between the school and all parish staff. The parish and school often share resources. The school supports the sacramental programs and is involved in the preparation of the Liturgy for each sacrament. The school is very supportive of parish programs. At Christmas and as an integral part of the school’s Advent program we work with the St Vincent de Paul members to provide gifts for the Waterloo community. Diocesan celebrations are attended by the school community and our Student Representative Council members attend the Mission Mass. All teachers attend the Diocesan Schools Staff Mass. Parents and parish community are always welcomed at masses, liturgies and classroom prayer celebrations. Our Kindergarten parents are responsible for organising and conducting Children’s liturgy at the Parish Sunday Mass. There is a meditation group for mothers. The group meets every Tuesday evening and it is facilitated by Christian Meditation NSW Chapter. Students from our school community are involved in a Christmas Ecumenical Christmas Carol celebration at Northbridge Oval.
The St. Philip Neri community is a cohesive and vibrant one which lives out the Gospel values.