Volunteer requirements (as at 14-03-2012)
* Hamilton PS - no vacancies
* St. Pius HS - no vacancies
* San Clemente HS - no vacancies
* Waratah HS - need 2 more
We particularly would like to increase the number of male volunteer tutors.
Please contact me now if you wish to participate.
Further information about our Homework Centres project is shown below. Thank you.
Michael Freund
Volunteers Co-ordinator (Educational Programs) &
Project Manager (Homework Centres)
Project Manager (Homework Centres)
Phone: 02 4969 3399
Email: volunteers@nsservices.com.au
Hamilton Public School
corner Tudor & Steel Streets, Hamilton
Mondays 3:30 - 5:00pm
Assisting Kinder-Yr.6 students (attending from several local primary schools)
St. Pius X High School
Park Avenue, Adamstown
Tuesdays 3:15 - 4:45pm
Assisting Yr.7-10 students enrolled at St. Pius
San Clemente High School
corner Havelock & Crebert Streets, Mayfield
Wednesdays 3:00 - 4:30pm
Assisting Yr.7-10 students enrolled at San Clemente
Waratah High School (Technology Campus)
Turton Rd, Waratah
Thursdays 3:00 - 4:30pm
Assisting Yr.7-10 students enrolled at Waratah
NSS Homework Centres further information:
History & Purpose
Over the past decade Northern Settlement Services (formerly Migrant Resource Centre) has operated several homework centres in partnership with primary & secondary schools in the Newcastle area. The purpose of our homework centres is to assist school students from African & other refugee families (our clients) to learn English literacy skills and to complete homework & assignments in a range of school subjects. These students are often unable to receive this assistance at home due to their parents’/carers’ limited English or educational skills. Our homework centres may also assist students from other migrant backgrounds, if sufficient volunteer resources allow.
Operation
At each centre we aim to provide one-to-one volunteer tutoring assistance for the students, within a classroom setting. An experienced co-ordinator (employed by NSS) manages the classroom of students & volunteer tutors. Our homework centres operate once per week during school terms, and there is no charge for the students/families who use this service.
Volunteering
All volunteer tutors are registered by NSS, undergo a federal police check, and are provided with ESL resources and induction into the program. Volunteers need to have good skills in English and/or other school subjects, but they will not be asked to tutor in subjects they are not comfortable with. Experience with teaching/tutoring is also an advantage. Further volunteer training may be provided, if resources allow. Volunteers are asked to commit to regular weekly attendance for at least one school term, ideally for two terms. Apart from these attributes, the other main volunteer requirements include: patience, persistence, cultural awareness, ability to communicate & encourage, sense of humour/fun, and additionally for the high schools: internet research skills and familiarity with curriculum/assessment tasks. At the start of each school term a volunteer feedback session is also held, where volunteers are given the opportunity to contribute ideas for term goals and to improve the centre's operation.
Linking with Schools/Teachers
ESL Teachers are invited to refer suitable students to the homework centre by completing a referral form for each student and returning it to the co-ordinator. Students can enrol at the start of a new term, assuming there are sufficient volunteer resources. Students/Parents will be notified when enrolment is available and parents will need to complete & return the permission form. Student progress is recorded each week by volunteers, enabling the co-ordinator to provide the teacher with half-yearly & yearly progress reports on each student. A parent information/interview session is organised for each centre, usually at the half-yearly point.
Project Funding
Our homework centres project is currently funded by the Federal Department of Immigration & Citizenship, as well as by community supporters such as Newcastle Registered Clubs (CDSE Funding).
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