Volunteer Information

Parents, carers and members of our wider community make an important contribution to life at St Joachim’s. Volunteers support a range of learning experiences, school events, excursions and activities and help strengthen the partnership between families and our school.

The safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority. All volunteers must meet Brisbane Catholic Education and Queensland legislative requirements before commencing volunteer activities at the school.

Before volunteering, please read the information under each heading below carefully to ensure you have completed all requirements that apply to you. Requirements differ for parent and non-parent volunteers, particularly in relation to Blue Cards, and all necessary training and documentation must be completed before volunteering can commence.

All volunteers, including parents and carers, are required to complete the appropriate Brisbane Catholic Education Student Protection training each calendar year before volunteering at St Joachim’s. 

This training supports volunteers to understand their responsibilities for maintaining safe, respectful and appropriate environments for children and young people. Once completed, you must supply the office with a screenshot of your completion certificate. This can be provided in person or emailed to phollandpark@bne.catholic.edu.au

[Complete BCE Volunteer Student Protection Training]

[View Brisbane Catholic Education Training for Volunteers and Third Parties]

Queensland’s Blue Card requirements changed in September 2025. Whether a volunteer requires a Blue Card depends on their relationship to the student and the type of volunteering activity being undertaken.

Parents and legal guardians generally do not require a Blue Card when volunteering in an activity in which their own child is participating. However, a Blue Card may be required for some activities, including when volunteering:

* in an activity their own child is not participating in
* on an overnight camp or excursion
* in an activity involving close personal contact with another child.

Non-parent volunteers, including grandparents and other relatives who are not a child’s legal guardians, must hold a current Working with Children Blue Card before undertaking regulated volunteer activities at the school. To obtain a free volunteer Blue card, please click on this link Blue Card Services Portal.

If you are unsure whether you require a Blue Card for a particular volunteer activity, please contact the School Office before volunteering.

[Blue Card Services – Information for School Volunteers]

Before volunteering at St Joachim’s, volunteers must:

1. complete the required BCE Student Protection training
2. complete any volunteer registration or declaration documentation required by the school
3. provide Blue Card details where required
4. receive confirmation from the school that all necessary requirements have been completed.

Please provide required documentation to the School Office before commencing volunteer activities.

Each time you volunteer at St Joachim’s, please report to the School Office before proceeding to classrooms or other areas of the school.

All volunteers are required to:

* sign in using the visitor and volunteer sign-in system
* follow the directions of school staff
* wear any visitor or volunteer identification provided
* sign out when leaving the school grounds.

All parents, carers, volunteers and visitors are expected to contribute to a safe, respectful and supportive school environment.

Please familiarise yourself with the Code of Conduct for Parents and Visitors and relevant Student Protection requirements before volunteering.

[View the Code of Conduct for Parents and Visitors]

Thank you for giving your time and contributing to the St Joachim’s community.