Our Stories - 52 Stories in 52 Weeks - Our 42nd Story - Debbie Nobbs

Описание: Debbie Nobbs is the Parent and Community Liaison for Cranbourne West Primary School. Her job is to improve the community engagement, and the parents who know her say that she has gone above and beyond this job description. The parents who are a part of the PNF committee run special events such as discos, help in classrooms and run the important breakfast/brunch club. This club provides breakfast and brunch, and even emergency lunches, for students who do not have enough to eat or have forgotten their lunch. The school found that parents were keeping children home from school due to not being able to provide food, so, through Debbie's work, they now receive funds from City of Casey to provide adequate, healthy food to all the students at the school who require it.

Another big project Debbie was a part of was setting up a playgroup, specifically targeted at the Dari speaking parents. She set up a group after being approached by a Mother who was uncomfortable with other playgroups. This playgroup now has both Dari speaking and English speaking parents and children, as well as a translator so all can understand. There are now plans to run English speaking classes and Dari speaking classes to close the gap between the communities even further. As part of this playgroup, they run a program that helps the 4 or 5 year old children transition smoothly into the Primary School system.

Debbie works actively to volunteer wherever needed, and to further develop the school's volunteers by sending them to do courses such as Integration Aid. Her intense community awareness is a strength in her work, as she understands the needs and concerns of the community. Because of this, innovative ways to help educate children have been employed, such as the setting up of outdoor environments to engage the students in more "real world" learning. Debbie is a mentor to many, and other events she helps to coordinate include popcorn/cordial day, and Mother's/Father's Day stalls.

Debbie has gone above and beyond in her role and all the parents and staff at Cranbourne West Primary School value and appreciate all of her hard efforts and commitment to her role.