COMMUNITY
Liaison Parents in the Preparatory School
The Preparatory School’s Liaison Parent
body was originally developed by the FOPS
Committee (Friends of the Preparatory
School). When helpers were sought at
the FOPS meetings, usually one parent
from each class was required, and so they
became the liaison point between FOPS
and the parents. These parents were mainly
involved with a general cross section of
duties between the classroom, teacher,
FOPS and parents.
Following a period of reflection and
evaluation, two main ideas were put
forward to the committee. Firstly, to clarify
and identify the Liaison Parent role primarily
as a classroom ‘Ambassador of Goodwill’.
It was then decided to enlist a group of
people who truly enjoyed the Liaison Parent
role, provide a group structure, a forum
for discussion and a coordinating person
to assist in communication for that group
within the School.
The first Liaison Parent Coordinator was
elected at the FOPS Annual General Meeting
in September 1998 to assist the Liaison
Parents in their duties.
Functions and events for each year group
vary according to the Liaison Parent and year
It is the social component that I feel is
the most powerful, as what we are in
fact doing is helping to forge friendships
and relationships that will not only last
throughout our children’s school years, but
hopefully for a lifetime!
The Liaison Parent program is very dear to
me; I believe it’s one of the special things
about our school. It is operated by volunteers
and we are in the business of friendship,
fun and helping people – the teachers, the
children and the parents.
Mrs Erica Officer.
group at the time. There have been the usual
breakfasts, lunches and dinners, but also
hiking, horse riding, go karting, comedy club
nights, murder mystery dinners and paint ball
games. The functions are sometimes run for
the whole family, and sometimes are for the
parents only.
The Liaison Parent role is an integral part of
the School’s community relations, providing
help and assistance in the classroom,
between parents and teachers, and
organising social events.
To have people who will gladly, and
sometimes repeatedly, give up their precious
time to ensure our community bonds
are strong, is truly wonderful and to me,
embodies the values of Guildford Grammar
School. The functions that are organised
go beyond simply having fun, they are
giving people the opportunity to develop
friendships and a sense of belonging.
Mrs Erica Officer
Preparatory School Liaison Parent
Coordinator
Friends of the Preparatory School (FOPS)
The beginning of 2016 has seen the FOPS committee
focusing on the consolidation of all of the processes
developed over the last two to three years.
FOPS has welcomed a few new committee members this
year, who have brought with them new ideas and a fresh
approach, which is always welcome.
A successful Welcome BBQ set the theme of giving back
to the community and the beginning of friend raising for
the year. Over 500 members of the Preparatory School
community enjoyed the BBQ near Roberts Oval, as
parents enjoyed getting to know one another while their
children were entertained and well fed. It was wonderful
for the community to meet the Wight family and get to
know Mr Wight a little better in an informal setting.
The FOPS committee has focused their planning this
year around collaboration to encourage the “one school
one community” strategy of the P&F. This year saw the
first combined Mothers’ Day luncheon as a result of a
collaboration between FOPS, FOSS, BPA and MOGS,
where mothers from across the school community came
together to celebrate mothering.
Mrs Sheri-Lee Knoop-Bender
FOPS President
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