THE 18 HOUR FAMILY CONTRIBUTION SCHEME.

(Last update September 15, 2005)

Overnewton Anglican Community College is a low-fee independent school with a high degree of parental involvement. The 18 Hour Family Contribution Scheme is an important commitment that parents make when enrolling their child at the College.  It is a unique concept and is part of what makes Overnewton such a unified community of students, staff and parents.  We believe that it is important that our parents are truly part of their children's education.

It is expected that all families contribute 18 hours of service to the College per term.  This time commitment can be contributed by assisting in any of the following workgroups:

Banking Group

The aim of this group is to encourage students to develop positive saving habits by providing the opportunity for students to deposit money into bank accounts on a weekly basis
Duties:
Arrange for student banking to be done by taking money to the bank, forward receipts to banking coordinator, maintain adequate supply of stationary.

Building and Grounds

Working Bees are held regularly at both camuses with the aim of maintaining and developing the school grounds and facilities.  
Full details including dates of Working Bees can be obtained for the Working Bee Page of this Website.

Working Bee Cleaning

Working Bee Cleaning is a function held at the same time as the Working Bee and specialises in the detailed cleaning of the classrooms.
Duties:
Detailed cleaning of classrooms including desks, windows (inside and out), furniture and other contents within the classrooms.

Handyman Group

This group provides skilled handyman help for minor school building and handyman projects.
Duties:
General handyman work, project work, building maintenance (participants are required to have the ability to use power tools and a general knowledge of handy man principals)

Canteen Group

There are two school canteens at Keilor Campus and one at Taylors Lakes Campus.  The running of these canteens is contracted out to Spotless services, however staff are primarily volunteers.
Duties
Assist with food preparation, sell food and drink, and assist with cleaning.

Catering Group

Most college functions are catered by the Catering Group.  Preparations of food can be done at home.  Parents can also help with the set up and clean up of functions as well as serving of food.  The cost of food purchased by parents is reimbursed.  
Duties:
Prepare food for functions, prepare for functions (set up), assist with serving, assist with cleaning after functions.

Classroom Assistance Group

Classroom assistance provides the opportunity for parents to be involved in their child's education whilst at the same time fulfilling their 18 hour commitments.  Attending of camps and excursions are part of the activities of this group.

College Uniform Shop

Overnewton school uniforms are only sold at the college shop which is located at the Keilor campus. Two staff members manage the shop with all other assistance coming from the Parents and friends volunteers.
Duties:
Assist with the sale of school uniforms.

Country Fair Group

The Country Fair is an annual event held in November and is planned and co-ordinated totally by Parents and Friends. The venue alternates between Keilor and Taylors Lakes campus with the 2005 venue being at Taylors Lakes Campus. It is a fun day for the whole family and one of the Parents and Friends major fundraising events.
Duties:
Assisting in various areas including Food Hall, Craft, Jams, Trash & Treasure, stall coordinator, assistant to a stall coordinator, security, car parking and much more.

First Aid Group

There are two full time nurses employed at Overnewton College, one at each campus.  In addition Parents and Friends volunteers assist in the first aid room.  Parents must have a first aid certificate and the college conducts first aid certificate course for parents wishing to contribute with first aid assistance.
Duties:
Assist with the administering of first aid to students

Fundraising Drives Group

Various fundraising activities are undertaken by this workgroup.  Examples are the Annual Dinner Dance and the Annual Chocolate drive.
More than $50,000-00 is raised through these initiatives each year.
Funds raised are used to pay for the wish lists of the College at both campuses, this includes new BBQ's, pergola, turf, plants and other works as deemed appropriate by the Parents and Friends Committee.  
Duties:
Assist the fund raising coordinators with various tasks relating to fundraising.  The tasks will vary depending on the fundraising activity.

Mothers and Fathers Day Stall Group

Each year this work group provides children the opportunity of buying gifts for Mum and Dad at specially organised stalls held at school on the days prior to Mothers and Fathers day.
Duties:
Assist with the preparation, wrapping and selling of gift

Mowing Group

The grounds at Overnewton are large and the mowing and trimming of plants is done by parent volunteers
Duties:
Assist with the brush cutting and the mowing of lawns

Office Assistance Group

Assistance is often requred in the gernal or various offices at Overnewton College.  Requirements can be varied with some being regular occurences and other being "one off" requirements.
Duties:
Assist with general office duties including photocopying, typing and filing.

Watering Group

The watering of the school grounds and gardens is done solely by parents.
Duties:
Responsible for watering of lawn & garden areas.

Welfare Group

This group provides lunch for those that work at the working bees.
Duties:
Assist with the preparation, serving of food and drinks at working bees.

Yard Duty Group

This group is responsible for assisting the teachers in the supervision of children in the playground during recess and lunchtime.
Duties:
Assist teachers with yard duty at recess and lunch time to ensure that children are playing safely with each other and not dropping litter.

Parent Support Group

This group is responsible for "friend-raising" by keeping families involved in the life of the College by participating in events such as sausage sizzles, sweet stalls, student breakfasts and parents dinners.

It is the responsibility of all families at the College to complete their 18 hours each term. This can be done by contacting the various workgroup co-ordinators and assisting any of the above listed groups.  A list of these co-ordinators will be provided on enrolment.  Request for assistance are also published in the weekly newsletter (Whispers).

The 18 Hour Family Contribution Scheme is a serious commitment and is as much a part of enrolment as paying the school fees. Please consider this commitment carefully before enrolling your child at Overnewton Anglican Community College.