Volunteers
There are a diverse range of opportunities for people to volunteer at RNS in different roles. Volunteers provide classroom support, collect and sort the weekly FoodBank delivery and any material donations, write grants, do essential administration work or develop and deliver fundraising initiatives. All of these roles are equally important and ensure the best possible outcomes for the students that RNS supports.
Many people, from all ages and walks of life feel they want to give back to the community. They volunteer because they have time or skills they want to share. Our volunteers usually commit to ~2 hours each week at RNS during term times (we close for school holidays). Many of our volunteers have been with us for a number of years and we also welcome new volunteers who have experience, interest and expertise in any of the roles listed below.
Classroom Support Volunteers
Delivery of our education programs is supported by our dedicated team of classroom volunteers. As our programs grow and develop, classroom support volunteers can play an integral role in facilitating the delivery of these programs. Classroom support volunteers work with students in a one-on-one or small group capacity, under the guidance of the classroom teacher. This role requires flexibility as the classes will vary greatly in size and ability of students. Furthermore, classroom support volunteers should also be mindful of the individual needs of each student, as all of our students come from refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds. This role will be best suited to people who have experience with teaching or education support and/or have worked with refugees and asylum seekers.
Interested in Volunteering?
Please email admin@rivernileschool.vic.edu.au with some information about yourself, which area you would like to volunteer in, and please include a resume with two current referees.
NATASHA | VOLUNTEER
“I’ve been volunteering at RNS for about eighteen months having heard a lot about the organisation from my daughter who volunteered there while she was at the University of Melbourne. I immigrated to Australia from the UK in 2000 with minimum problems and have since looked for an opportunity to be useful to those who have had a more difficult experience. I like RNS' approach, which is less political and more practical than some other organisations I looked at. The staff and students are always so cheerful and enthusiastic and every week I go away feeling that I have actually achieved something useful because learning of any kind is never wasted.”
COSZETTE | VOLUNTEER
“Apart from assisting these mature students to strengthen their English, the students are also encouraged to attain tertiary qualifications and so move into fields of study relevant to their intelligence and interests. I find it a joy just to ‘talk’ with them and hear about their life stories! What a learning curve it is for me … quite humbling! I only wish those I speak to about the RNS could see the smiles of joy and gratitude from the students when we meet and when we both ‘understand’ each other! To volunteer at the RNS is a privilege … an opportunity to be with dedicated staff and students who can see beyond the comfort of their own four walls!”