Parents Committee

'I came into this role with no previous experience on committees, I’d been out of the work force in Australia for several years, I am not a native German speaker and my daughter had only been at the school for less than a year (amazing I got the job really !) I have learnt so many things in this position, from so many people – it’s been a great experience. It’s personally given me a lot of confidence and new- found skills from a professional point of view. It has always been a team effort from the whole committee. It’s been incredibly rewarding to be part of a team that I know has made a really huge positive contribution to the successful running of the school in the past year and I have enjoyed so many laughs along the way!'

'I have been doing this role for a few years now and everyone looks the other way when I come chasing them for fees!! But I am always so friendly about it!! I first arrived at the school with just one of my three children who are all here now, on the first Saturday lesson in 2000. Just as my son was welcomed into the class by his teacher, so one of the committee members immediately made me feel welcome. I sat in the staff room with other parents, and very quickly decided to become involved. Being on the committee has been a wonderful way to meet new people, discover connections and further our interests in Germany. The meetings are fun; we are all busy, so we share out the maintaining tasks; we have more than enough time for laughter and coffee and cake, and we still get lots done.'

'I have had this role only in the past year but have been a committee member before this. I guess you can tell from the name that I'm not German. My daughter was born in Munich and we lived there till she was almost ten. She was practically a native speaker, even with a slight Bavarian accent. We didn't want her to lose it that's why she's in this school. In Germany, I used to say, “Mein Deutsch ist immer noch schlecht.” Now, it has probably gone from bad to worse. But it does help to hear it every now and then. As secretary, the main task is to take the minutes of the committee meetings. I just make sure I file things properly (electronically especially) because if it's not in my head, at least I can search for it!'

I was only in this for the coffee and cake - and there is a lot of it. Especially at the AGM, and the Open Day. Mostly I do the work from home, with the Secretary and President sending me text by email. Then I edit it, insert libelous material and unsubstantiated rumours and distribute it once a month. This leaves me free to drink more coffee and eat more cake on Saturdays. I started just wanting to help, but along the way have made some friends and enjoyed myself enormously.

My children have been attending German Saturday School since 2003 and I have been a General Committee Member since 2004. I have found it a wonderful way to meet people and feel a part of our little German community. As it was the first committee with which I was ever involved, I have acquired an understanding of committee structure and workings, gained a lot of confidence and met a lot of people, all with interesting and varying German connections. It has also been personally satisfying to assist with the administration of our school as well as help organise the wonderful social activities such as the Parents Breakfast, Open Day and the Christmas Party.