Frequently Asked Questions

The NSW Premier’s Student Volunteering Awards program is a NSW government initiative that encourages all students to undertake a minimum of 20 hours of volunteering during the time they are enrolled in Years 9 and 10. In appreciation of this contribution to the community, students will receive Premier’s Certificates (Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond respectively) for completing 20, 40, 60 and 80 hours of volunteering.

The printing and distribution of students’ certificates will occur twice annually (at the end of each semester) and be managed by Curriculum K-12 Directorate.

Click here to learn more detail:

Contact the Principal or Student Volunteering coordinator in your school to find out more.

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How can I be part of the NSW Premier’s Student Volunteering Awards program?

Students in Year 9 or 10 at a NSW public school who wish to participate in the Premier’s Awards program should talk to their school’s Coordinator or Principal. If the school is not currently registered as participating in the program, contact the Student Volunteering team by email studentvolunteering@det.nsw.edu.au

Parents and members of the broader school community can support schools in a variety of ways including assisting in the organisation and implementation of community volunteering activities or assisting to arrange appropriate volunteering opportunities with not-for-profit organisations. The school’s Student Volunteering coordinator can provide advice and relevant documentation to support this process.

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When does the Premier’s Awards program take place?

All students in Years 9 and 10 in public schools are eligible to participate in the NSW Premier’s Student Volunteering Awards program. Students who have undertaken volunteering from the start of Year 9 can apply to have their hours of volunteering recognised for the purposes of the NSW Premier’s Student Volunteering Award.

Students participating will have the period of time they are enrolled in Years 9 and 10 to complete their minimum of 20 hours.

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Awards and incentives

What awards and incentives are part of the NSW Premier’s Student Volunteering Awards Program?

A range of awards and incentives will be available through the NSW Premier's Student Volunteering Awards program to acknowledge and encourage individual efforts, as well as the achievements of the school cohort.

Individual students that have reached a minimum of 20 hours of volunteering will be eligible for a bronze Premier’s certificate. Additional certificates will be available to students who achieve 40 hours (silver certificate), 60 hours (gold certificate) and 80 hours (diamond certificate).

Students should keep and file copies of any articles in school newsletters and/or local newspapers recognising their efforts in volunteering, as these will be of interest to prospective future employers!

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When are awards given out?

Schools may issue encouragement awards at any time to recognise the efforts and initiatives of individual students.

The NSW Premier's Student Volunteering Bronze, Silver, Gold or Diamond certificates will be distributed to successful students at the end of each school semester (that is, end of terms 2 and 4).

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Can I get more than one award?

Students may receive more than one Award. In addition to the NSW Premier's Student Volunteering Bronze, Silver, Gold or Diamond certificates, individual schools can issue encouragement awards.

The following table indicates the Award levels and corresponding volunteer hours:

Awards	Number of Volunteer hours
Bronze	20
Silver	40
Gold	60
Diamond	80

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Schools and Funding Assistance

How does a school apply for funding assistance?

All schools with Year 9 and/or 10 students participating in the NSW Premier's Student Volunteering Awards will be provided, through direct deposit, a tied grant equivalent to approximately 0.05 of a staffing position to assist with coordination and implementation of the program.

Schools will be required to demonstrate commitment to supporting student participation in the Premier’s Awards program, and implementing strategies that promote opportunities for student volunteering.

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How can the funding be used?

Funding is to be used by schools to implement and support Student Volunteering and the NSW Premier's Student Volunteering Awards. Many of the support materials required (pro formas, promotional materials, data collation tools etc) will be provided by State Office. Schools are encouraged to provide feedback on these support materials.

It is anticipated that the position funding will be used to provide an allocation of time to the school’s Student Volunteering Coordinator to support them in

· assisting student volunteering initiatives

· developing community partnership strategies

· undertaking professional learning in volunteering/service learning programs

· general program implementation, maintenance and promotional tasks, including administering the NSW Premier’s Student Volunteering Awards program.

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Students

How often and how much do I need to volunteer?

Volunteering is just one of the many activities you will have opportunity to participate in. You will also have school, sporting and other extra curricula commitments to attend to.

A healthy life is a balanced one. Students participating in the NSW Premier's Student Volunteering Awards program are encouraged to undertake a minimum of 20 hours volunteering through their Year 9 and 10 study years. You, your parents and teachers are in the best position to determine the level of commitment you are able to make at this point in your life.

Some students will find it easier, through their particular interests outside of school, to accumulate more volunteer hours than others. Every hour you can give to help someone in need is appreciated!

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What happens if I make a commitment to volunteering that I cannot continue?

Circumstances change and everyone understands that. It is important that you let the host organisation supervisor and your School Coordinator know as soon as possible.

For example, sometimes students make a commitment to regular visits to an Aged Care facility over an extended period of time. This undertaking can be very rewarding for both the volunteer and the residents. It might be worth considering other upcoming commitments you are aware of and make arrangements that take these into account.

Something unforseen may arise that excludes you from volunteering. In this case, it is hoped that your School Coordinator can assist another student to replace you, especially if your absence will be a significant loss to the activity.

Remember that while your contribution is very much appreciated, so is your acceptance of responsibility for that commitment.

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When can I get an Award?

Schools may issue encouragement awards at any time to recognise the efforts and initiatives of individual students. You might also be recognised through articles in school newsletters and the local newspaper.

Certificates for students participating in the NSW Premier's Student Volunteering Awards program (Bronze certificate after 20 hours of volunteering, Silver certificate after 40 hours of volunteering, Gold certificate after 60 hours of volunteering and Diamond certificate after 80 hours of volunteering) will be issued at the end of terms 2 and 4 each year.

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How can I “earn” volunteering hours towards the Premier’s Award program?

Your School Coordinator will be able to guide you in the sorts of activities suitable to young volunteers in your school and local community.

Some activities may be undertaken as a class project during school time, others may be completed outside of school hours. There may be a number of things within the school you can do to achieve your volunteer hours, such as helping in the school library at lunchtime, or volunteering to help in the school’s homework centre after school.

Sometimes students undertake volunteering in the community without realising it. Read more...

Students who belong to community organisations such as Surf Life Saving can have their volunteer hours recognised through the Premier’s Award program. Discuss this with the School Coordinator.

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Can parents/carers withdraw their child from the NSW Premier’s Student Volunteering Awards program?

Volunteering is about choosing to undertake activities that help others. Volunteering is not mandatory. However, some schools may see student participation in volunteering as the first step towards developing community responsibility and a pre-cursor to participation in work experience and other extra curricula activities.

Parents/Carers should discuss the school’s Student Volunteering program with the Principal and/or School Coordinator.

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Who do I need to notify that I am volunteering?

If you are currently volunteering in the community, talk to your school’s coordinator to determine whether it is possible for your volunteering activity to be recognised through the Premier’s Awards program.

If your school doesn’t have a coordinator, ask your Principal about it, or contact us at Curriculum Directorate, with details of your name, school and year (9 or 10). We’ll let your school’s Principal know that he or she has students keen to be involved!

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Insurance

What insurance and indemnity cover is there for students and teachers volunteering?

Volunteering activities that are approved by the school Principal are covered by the Department’s insurance and indemnity arrangements. Such activities will have been risk assessed and all parties involved (students, hosts, parent/carers and school) will have a shared understanding of their role and responsibility in the activity. A Student Volunteering Record or similar will be completed, containing all information relevant to the safety and wellbeing of the student.

Teachers participating in school-approved volunteering activities are afforded the same DET insurance cover as their students. Activities must be risk assessed and managed, and the Principal must endorse participation as being part of your role as a teacher.

Students who participate in volunteering activities outside the school, without the knowledge and/or written approval of the school Principal do so at their own risk. For example, weekend participation in Surf Life Saving, Meals on Wheels, helping an elderly neighbour with their gardening and so on, are all activities that are recognised through the Premier’s Awards program. However, the school is unable to undertake a risk assessment or provide an appropriate level of supervision for such activities and therefore they will not be approved by the Principal and are undertaken at the student’s own risk.

This website contains further information regarding the DET’s insurance and indemnity arrangements, legal requirements and considerations for child protection, safety and wellbeing.

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