Parent and Citizens' Associations
exist in almost every Public School in Australia

The purpose of the P&C (and P&F's in Catholic Schools)
is to bring together the school, parents and the general community.

Help your kids - find out what's going on at school

In the P&C / P&F,
parental participation can make a significant difference
to your child's education.
You find out what's going on at school.
You can smooth out the 'wrinkles'.

Help yourself - expand your offsite support network

By going to a few P&C meetings when on leave
and filling the gaps by regularly checking out the school's website,
you can develop a network of like-minded supportive parents
that can help you and your partner in many ways,
from just being friends,
to filling gaps in emergencies
even when you are on site.

Help the school - look for and fill their gaps

While the 'usual' way the P&F might help their school
is with fund raising, but there are other ways,
from helping out at school events,
and depending on the school,
putting in some time in the canteen,
offering management support
and maybe coordinating contra-support
from the company that you work for.
(Example: finding a new home for superceded PC's
that might help out students at the school that are not as well off.)

Parents have a right to know and help
in the development plans and policies
for the running of the school.
This can include student welfare, discipline,
finance, excursions and many others.