SJRPA Events and Activities - how to get involved
Volunteers are a crucial part of school life, making it possible for SJR to offer services, activities and events that just wouldn't be possible otherwise. The St. John's-Ravenscourt Parents' Association (SJRPA) helps coordinate volunteers. The dates of all SJRPA meetings, events and activities can be found in the school calendar. If you are interested in volunteering or have any queries, please email sjrpa@sjr.mb.ca.
There are many ways for you to get involved:
Archives - The School Archivist is always looking for volunteers interested in working to preserve the school's history.
Babysitting Course - Middle School students can gain certification in the essentials of looking after young children on a one-day course organized by the SJRPA. The course will be held twice this year on PD Days.
Boarders' Breakfast - Volunteers are required for setup at 7:00 a.m. and/or take-down at 9:00 a.m. Holiday gifts from the SJRPA for the boarders are assembled the night before.
Canteen - The canteen, located in the Dutton Memorial Arena, requires many volunteers. It operates during hockey games and tournaments and at other sporting events. This is a worthwhile fundraising opportunity that also provides a valuable service to students involved in the co-curricular program of the school.
Debating - The ongoing success of SJR’s active debating program depends upon having an adequate number of parent volunteers to act as judges at debating events. No previous experience is required as a training session is always offered at the start of a tournament. Judges typically come away considering it to have been a very worthwhile experience.
Decorating - A group of parent volunteers decorate areas of the school with seasonal or themed displays.
EagleFest – This fun family carnival and BBQ includes a large assortment of games and activities, a basket raffle, karaoke, face painting, and more! Many volunteers are needed for this event to be a success, and assistance is required with decorations, wristbands, serving food, game supervision and prize baskets, etc.
FallFest – This event is intended to bring the school community together early in the school year. It is a fun, casual evening where parents and friends of SJR socialize and get acquainted or reacquainted in an informal atmosphere while enjoying dinner in Hamber Dining Hall. Volunteers are needed to organize this event.
Grade Parties – A Grade Party is a wonderful way to get to know the other parents in your grade. Every year we look for parents to host a social gathering early in the fall for all the parents in their grade. These events can be held in someone’s home, at a retail venue such as a wine store, or at any creative locale dreamed up by the host/hostess!
Grandparents’ Day – Volunteers are on hand to help when the school opens its doors to students’ grandparents each year. This event began in 1992 and has been growing in popularity ever since.
Hold Back the Snow – Volunteers provide food, shelter and water at this weekend-long outdoor Ultimate tournament, which is hosted by SJR.
Lecture Series - From time to time, the SJRPA invites speakers into school to talk about topics of interest to parents and/or students. Recent topics include Parenting in a Digital Age, Share your care! School Spirit is caring, and care is contagious! and Hold on to your Kids.
Lunch Recess Supervision – Volunteers assist staff in the supervision of the Junior School playground during lunch recess several days a week.
Pizza Day – The SJRPA decorates Hamber Dining Hall and treats the students and staff to pizza and goodies during the regular lunchtime. This event occurs on or around Valentine’s Day.
Rosenberg Library (Junior School) - Volunteers assist with shelving, cataloguing, book sign-out, and a vast assortment of library tasks.
SpringFest - We are excited to announce the newest opportunity for parents at SJR to socialize in a fun and casual atmosphere! SpringFest is a time for parents to come together in Hamber Hall for a fabulous evening of food, fun and socializing during the final term of the year. The goal of the evening to simply to enjoy one another’s company at the school and possibly raise a little money for some worthwhile projects on campus.
Staff Appreciation Events – Twice a year, and on behalf of the parental community, members of the SJRPA give faculty and staff small tokens of appreciation for their care and dedication for the students.
Miscellaneous - Throughout the year, various other volunteer opportunities arise in the respective schools such as assisting with a tournament, play or concert. The SJRPA helps identify opportunities for prospective volunteers.
Volunteering is a fantastic way to get to know other parents and students, and the SJRPA can offer opportunities to fit your availability whether it's during the daytime, evening or at the weekend.
Find out more by reading: Volunteering FAQs and Forms and Expectations of Volunteers.
Contact the SJRPA: sjrpa@sjr.mb.ca
SJR is proud to be accredited and affiliated with several local, national and international educational organizations.
St. John’s-Ravenscourt School was founded in 1820 principally to serve the children of the Selkirk settlers. By 1834 there were forty students, evenly split between boys and girls. SJR has inevitably grown and changed over the years since, though its success throughout has been unimpeachable. We have graduated 18 Rhodes scholars, for example, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II granted patronage and established a scholarship in her name in 1981. Today the programs are as strong as our reputation. A strong academic program is paired with an equally strong attention to the values of stewardship, ethical leadership, and excellence in all areas of academic, social and athletic life.