Ross Cameron shares his journey as a proud parent, volunteer and Foundation Director

Q. When did you first join the School Community?

My son Andrew started at St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Year 7 in 2011 and I become more actively involved in the P&F a few years after that and have stayed involved in various ways since Neve started in 2017.

Q. In your time as a parent at SACS, what activities have you enjoyed attending?

All of them! Over the years I have been involved in most and they all have the same sense of positive involvement and enthusiasm from everyone involved: volunteers, staff and especially the kids. But Kirrikee is always a favourite (just ask my kids who got dragged there long after it was ‘cool’ for their age group!)

Q. If you had to describe SACS in one sentence, what would that be?

A welcoming, open and inclusive community with a hugely diverse set of people involved, all with a great sense of common purpose to create the most positive education experience for everybody – students, staff and parents.

Q. Do you believe the School has changed much since you first joined?

Yes, but no. In many ways there has been huge change, from Julie McGonigle taking over from John Collier to a small disruption from COVID! But that fundamental sense of being part of something important has been maintained and probably got stronger.

Q. You have volunteered in various capacities while your children have attended SACS, from organising Kirrikee Picnic Days to being a Foundation Director – what prompted you to volunteer?

Partly self-interest! I wanted to continue to be part of my kids’ lives as they entered high school. Given the city location, I also wanted to get visibility and access to the School and I wanted the kids to know their school experience was my top priority, despite constant other competing priorities.

Q. How have you found the time to volunteer?

You can actually contribute a lot with a relatively small hourly investment – many hands etc., – so prioritising whatever time I could amongst other commitments was the key.

Q. As a volunteer, was there any one role you enjoyed the most?

Kirrikee Picnic Day (on a nice day!) is hard to beat, but Gala Day is fun also – seeing a few hundred teenagers devour kilos of sausages and buns is entertaining and satisfying!

Q. As a volunteer, what activity were you proudest of?

Running the last Carnevale day was a huge effort and rewarding but being part of the Foundation and making a contribution to the longer-term strength of the School, and particularly Gawura, is something I am very proud to have contributed to.

Q. What message do you believe volunteering has given your children?

Lots of embarrassing moments I am sure! But the message we wanted to send to them was that we value their educational experience (and therefore them) more than just paying the bills.

Q. Do you believe your children have benefited from your involvement in their School?

I think so. I feel that they have recognised the extra and personal investment and it has given them just that bit of extra sense of ownership of the school experience.

Q. What have you gained from being a volunteer?

Lots of insights into school mechanics, process (and some politics!) but mostly a sense of contributing to something important and having fun with great people and making lifelong friendships.

Q. With your youngest child graduating this year, is this now goodbye?

Yep, I have permanently deleted and blocked Lyn Jarvis (the Director of Community Engagement) from my phone! No, not really (Lyn would still find me anyway). I will continue to be involved in the Foundation and most definitely Hessian (Old Andrean parent) events. And I still see some of Andrew’s 2016 cohort regularly, as they remain close friends, and I expect the same for Neve. Students never really leave SACS, and I suspect it’s the same for parents!