Get Involved
Be part of the Warrandyte community.
From reading with a child to flipping sausages at the festival, the time and care our parent volunteers give is what makes Warrandyte Primary School feel like a village.
Parent-Run Body
Friends of Warrandyte Primary School.
Friends of Warrandyte Primary School is a parent-run body that inspires our community to come together — to raise funds, build friendships and enjoy the wonderfully social nature of our school families.
Through music and dance, shared food and the celebration of student work, Friends of WPS creates the moments that turn a school into a community. Every dollar raised goes back into enriching the educational experience of our students, and every event is a chance to connect.
Whether you're a new family looking to meet people or a long-time local with a passion for the school, there's a place for you in Friends of WPS. No experience required, just a willingness to pitch in.
What Friends of WPS does
Music & Dance
Bush dances, student performances and community concerts that get every family on their feet.
Food & Fellowship
Shared meals, sausage sizzles and bake stalls that turn a school event into a community gathering.
Student Work
Celebrating and showcasing the creative talents of our students at events throughout the year.
Social Connection
Creating warm, welcoming spaces where Warrandyte families can meet, connect and belong.
Ways to Help
Three ways to give your time.
Every contribution matters — whether it's an hour a term or a weekly reading session. Find the pathway that suits your time and interests.
Fundraising & Events
Help plan and run the events that bring our community together — from working bees and trivia nights to the annual Warrandyte Festival stall and sausage sizzles. Whether you can spare an hour to flip sausages or lead a whole event, there's a place for you.
- Event planning and set-up
- BBQs, bake sales and sausage sizzles
- Community working bees
- Raffle and silent auction coordination
Class Excursions
Teachers rely on parent volunteers to make camps, swimming programs and excursions possible. By helping supervise and transport students, you directly expand the learning experiences we can offer every child — and you get to see your own child's class in action.
- Camps and adventure activities
- Swimming and sports programs
- Museum, gallery and theatre visits
- Local walking excursions
Classroom Reading
Listening to children read is one of the most rewarding ways to volunteer. Our reading helpers support students from Foundation onwards as they practise their sounds, build fluency and discover the joy of booksa few hours a week makes a measurable difference.
- One-on-one reading practice
- Sound and sight-word games
- Library book covering
- Literacy event support
School Council
Meet our School Councillors.
Our School Council brings together parents, staff and community members who work alongside the Principal to shape the direction, policies and priorities of Warrandyte Primary School.
President
Emma Clark
Emma Clark has spent her career fighting for a fairer world for women and girls.
For nearly twenty years she's worked across income generation, communications and advocacy, building partnerships and campaigns that turn good intentions into real, lasting change on human rights, gender equality and reproductive rights and health.
She's a senior executive focussed on amplifying the voices of those with lived experience, known for speaking plainly about hard things and bringing people along with her.
Off the clock, she's a mum of three kids and someone who believes deeply that the fight for equality is worth showing up for, again and again.
Emma is an alumni of Warrandyte Primary School and has served as President of the School Council since 2022.
Vice President
Sam McKellar
Parent representative
Treasurer
Carmen Greenhill
Parent representative
Parent Representative
Karen Anderson
Elected member
Parent Representative
Katie Pelosi
Elected member
Parent Representative
James Dimmock
Elected member
Parent Representative
Kelly Macguire
Elected member
DET Employee
Nerole Blair
Co-opted
DET Employee
Elisha McPhedran
Co-opted
Principal
Nieta Manser
Ex officio
School Council elections are held annually. All parents and carers of enrolled students are eligible to nominate. Photos and councillor details will be added once confirmed for the current term.
The Role of School Council
What does a School Council actually do?
School councils are legally constituted bodies established under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 and Ministerial Order 1280. They play a vital role in Victorian government schools by setting the school's broad direction, overseeing governance and strengthening community confidence.
The council works alongside the Principal, who is the executive officer. While the Principal manages the day-to-day running of the school, the council focuses on governance — policy, strategic planning, finance and community engagement.
Key functions of a school council
- Establish the broad direction and vision of the school within the community
- Develop and endorse the School Strategic Plan
- Approve and monitor school budgets, fundraising and financial activities
- Oversee the maintenance and after-hours use of school buildings and grounds
- Develop and review school policies — such as dress code, parent payments and investments
- Report annually to the school community and the Department on the school's progress
Resources, policies & training
The Department of Education Victoria provides detailed guidance, policies and free training for current and prospective school council members.
Parent Information — School Councils
An overview for parents on what school councils do, who's on them, and how elections work.
School Council — Powers and Functions
The Department's policy setting out the legislated powers, functions and objectives of every school council.
School Council Elections
Guidelines on the annual election process, nominations, voting timelines and eligibility.
Child Safe Standards — Ministerial Order 1359
The Ministerial Order detailing mandatory annual child safety training for all school council members.
School Council Training & Good Governance
Free Department training in three formats — virtual live, face-to-face and interactive online — for all council members.
Improving School Governance Guides
Five reference PDFs covering Governance, Strategic Planning, Finance, Policy & Review, and the School Council President role.
Free online training
Council members can self-register for the interactive online training modules through the Department's learning management system and complete them at their own pace.
Access online trainingVolunteer Sign-up
Sign up to volunteer at WPS.
Tell us your availability and the areas you'd like to help with, and our office team will be in touch to get you started.
Bake & BBQ
Bake a cake for the stall, or flip sausages for an hour at the school BBQ.
Listen to Readers
Spend a morning a week helping Foundation–Year 2 students practise their reading.
Join an Excursion
Help supervise on a class trip to the museum, swimming pool or local walk.
Working Bee
Lend a hand at a weekend gardening or maintenance working bee around the grounds.
Child Safe Standards in Victoria
- Warrandyte Primary School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. As a school volunteer, you share in this responsibility.
- All volunteers must hold a current Volunteer Working with Children Check before working with students — this is a legal requirement under the Worker Screening Act 2020 (Victoria).
- Volunteers must follow our Child Safe Code of Conduct, which is provided during onboarding. Any concerns about a child's safety must be reported immediately to the Principal or Child Safety Officer.
- The school follows the Victorian Child Safe Standards (Ministerial Order No. 1359), which require child safety practices across all aspects of school life.
Working with Children Check
A Volunteer Working with Children Check is free of charge and is a legal requirement for anyone volunteering with children in Victoria. If you don't have one yet, you can apply online — it usually takes a few weeks to process.
Apply for a Volunteer WWCCHow to Join In
Ready to lend a hand?
Getting involved is simple. Reach out to the school office or come along to the next Friends of WPS meeting — we'll help you find a role that fits your time and interests. All volunteers require a current Working with Children Check.
