HOW can a concerned parent get to know about what happens in school, to be more informed so as to have an educated say in school plans that could impact their child?
Enter then the parent volunteer, perhaps as part of the school Parent Support Group (PSG).
PSGs are increasingly important partners for primary schools in helping out at various school activities and programmes and relevant outreaches. Some PSGs have their own web pages linked to the school main website.
onSponge recently interviewed one parent volunteer who is part of the PSG at her son's school to gain an insight of what made her volunteer in school and elsewhere, and what keeps her going.
onSponge: For the benefit of the onSponge parent community, please introduce yourself and family.
Parent volunteer: I'm Marian Kho, mother of three children, Claire (12+), Ryan (10+) and Alexia (6), and wife to Patrick. I used to be a lawyer but have, since Alexia's arrival, become a housewife.
onSponge: What made you give of your time as a volunteer?
Parent volunteer: Well, life has been good to me and I feel that I should try and give back something to society.
onSponge: How do you volunteer, in what area(s), and why this/these area(s)?
Parent volunteer: I am the Co-ordinator for Catholic activities in the Parent Support Group (PSG) in my son's school, Maris Stella High School (Primary), where I hope to impact as many young boys as I can. Mainly, (in executing our designated PSG area of concern) our PSG group hopes to share with the Catholic boys, God's love for them and to sow in each of them the seed of faith, which I feel is more important than any other lesson in life.
We also assist in planning Children's Day, Racial Harmony Day and other events for the school, which the boys thoroughly enjoy.
I also volunteer as a guide in the Asian Civilisations Museum. I've just finished a wonderful training course on guiding in the museum and feel very happy with what I've come away with. I've discovered plenty about our ancestor civilisations and feel that I understand our Singaporean identity a little better. I will be volunteering this year not only as a guide, but also as part of the training team for the next batch of docents. Again, I feel that I should contribute to the continuance of this thoroughly fulfilling course.
I also assist in a pre-school catechism programme once a week in church, using the Montessori approach. This is a tactile approach which is quite labour intensive for the presenters, but is lovely for very young children who learn about God through experience rather than through the classroom.
onSponge: What are key challenges in volunteering?
Parent volunteer: The lack of time for myself, family and household can sometimes be a challenge. Also, we need to communicate closely with the body we work for to make sure we are working together in the same direction.
onSponge: How does your family view your volunteer commitments?
Parent volunteer: My husband is really quite supportive on the whole although of course he does grumble a bit when the house is a mess (which is somewhat often)! My children appreciate it that I am active in their schools and I think my son is secretly quite proud of me?!
onSponge: Could you give an example of a memorable activity for which you have volunteered either as participant or as organiser or both?
Parent volunteer: There are so many memorable activities, but I am thinking of the most recent, which was the sale of Mother's Day gifts at my son's school. It was very heartwarming to see the young boys really wanting to pick something nice for their mother! And I discovered that they love to buy their mums jewellery!
onSponge: How do you see this as a fulfilling aspect of being a parent?
Parent volunteer: Well, the children love it when you're at their school or in teaching in their class, and I think it makes them more confident, especially in their younger days. Also, I get a good feel about the place and people with whom they spend more than half of their weekdays, which makes me understand their experiences and feelings better.
onSponge: Any advice for other parents who would like to volunteer but don't know how?
Parent volunteer: In the school context, one should call or ask the General Office for the contact details of the Head of the Parent Support Group or Parent Volunteers. Contact him/her and ask what programmes they run and what help they need.
You can also volunteer for the "ad hoc" activities, such as accompanying the children on excursions or helping out on Sports Day, if you can't commit to more regular activities.
There is always a job to be done!
