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Volunteer with Compass

Volunteers are an integral part of the Compass program. We see volunteering as a mutually beneficial experience for our University students and staff, and schools. The University students and staff can bring skills, enthusiasm, expertise, learning and energy to our Compass school students and staff. Our schools reflect the diversity that make up the tapestry of our community and this offers Compass volunteers rich cultural and community experiences, understanding and opportunities to get involved at a grassroots level.

Some of the positions may require prohibited employment and working with children checks to be undertaken.

Compass is seeking expressions of interest from University of Sydney students and staff for the following volunteering opportunities.

For more information about volunteering with Compass please contact .

Volunteer opportunities

High School Homework Club (4 positions)

Opportunities exist to get involved with one of our local high schools to support students with varying needs. Your assistance is required to assist students that need that extra support to understand curriculum content as well as to extend students who are doing well in their subjects. Students attending the homework centre have diverse needs including students for whom English is a second language.

You will work with students from year 7-12 to develop information literature and build skills for students to become lifelong independent learners. You will also be instilling an understanding of the value of the Library in the school and wider community.

You will be assisting a group of 10-25 students every Tuesday afternoon for a minimum of one term.

Desirable skills:

  • Punctuality
  • Reliability
  • Strong communication skills

When: Tuesday afternoons for a minimum of one term.
Time: 3:15-4:30pm
Where: Marrickville High School
Cost: Transport costs will be covered by the Compass program.

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Make Math Easy - Primary School

Got a gift with numbers? This is a great opportunity to help young learners who need assistance with early math concepts. You will revise materials already covered in class with the students; your primary role will be to “reinforce” the concepts learnt that day. Numeracy skills are essential for all students to prepare them for school life and for general life skills. Why not get involved and give those struggling students a helping hand?

Volunteers are required to assist Year 3 & 4 students with their Maths schoolwork. You will work cooperatively with teachers and groups of students in the classroom setting.

Desirable skills:

  • Understanding of basic ‘number’ operations (eg. times tables; addition, subtraction, division, multiplication)
  • Ability to work with children from years 3 and 4 and have appropriate interpersonal
    skills
  • Ability to work unsupervised with single or small groups of students

When: Tuesday and Wednesdays, 10:30-11:15am for a minimum commitment of one term.
Where: Wilkins Public School

Check training schedule for upcoming training sessions.

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Reading with Young Learners - Primary School

Strong literacy skills are essential for learning, self-reliance and to participate fully in society. Many of our Compass schools have a high percentage of students from non-English speaking backgrounds, are new arrivals to the country or come from a refugee background. This is a great opportunity to work with some of our young learners from non-English speaking backgrounds to help support their literacy needs. A child who does not acquire these basic skills will struggle with school work and be at risk for dropping out of high school. Assist our students to forge a path to higher education by building their literacy skills.

Desirable skills:

  • Good English oral reading skills
  • Good interpersonal skills with young children
  • Ability to supervise and motivate children in a one-to-one situation without direct teacher supervision

When: At least once a week on Monday - Thursday 12:30 - 1:30 for a minimum commitment of one term.
Where: Wilkins Public School (Marrickville)

Check training schedule for upcoming training sessions.

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How to apply:

Complete the Volunteer Application Form, Prohibited Employment Declaration, and Working with Children Check, and return to in the Social Inclusion Unit. Make sure you indicate which position you are interested in. We will then contact you to discuss the role.

Are you interested in volunteering but don’t see any positions that suits you?
Send us the Volunteer application form and an outline of the type of work you are interested in –we will keep your information on hand for future opportunities.

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