Community involvement

At Parry School, community involvement is a two-way partnership. We value the support and expertise that local organisations, services and community members bring into our school, helping enrich our programs and strengthen student learning and wellbeing. We also encourage our students to contribute to the community through volunteering, participating in local events and engaging in meaningful real-world experiences. These connections help our students build confidence, develop practical skills and feel a sense of belonging within the wider Tamworth community.

Cottage Homes

Our students visit Cottage Homes each week to make coffees for residents, spend time talking with them and participate in shared activities. This valued partnership has strengthened our students’ confidence and community connections, and has also been recognised at a state level. Parry School received the prestigious 2024 Secretary's Award for School Achievement for this innovative learning project and was named a finalist for the Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution (RFBI) Volunteer of the Year Award for our students’ volunteer work at the RFBI Tamworth Masonic Village.

Connecting across generations at Cottage Homes.

Melbourne Cup at Cottage Homes.

It is no surprise that Lexi is a favourite among the residents.

In good company.

Parry Catering

Parry Catering provides a meaningful way for our students to connect with the community while building valuable practical skills. As part of this program, students have catered for a range of small community events and meetings, including local and regional AECG gatherings, Department of Education meetings and SSO events. These experiences help students develop confidence, teamwork and real-world hospitality skills. We are also fortunate to share their achievements with families through our termly Parent Afternoon Teas, where students proudly prepare and serve food for their parents and carers.

Catering the Parry way, with students firing up the pizza oven and serving delicious pizzas.

Pizza production.

Preparing frittata for our catering menu.

Christmas fruit platter for Regional AECG meeting.

Skills in action.

Sweet and savoury.

Lunch time burrito bowls.

Lunch ready for a meeting at regional office.

Morning tea being prepared for the Premier.

Morning tea ready for delivery!

Parry’s butter chicken ready to serve.

Freshly made baguettes in the works.

The end result.

Straight from the oven.

Boys and Girls Group

Each week, the Opportunity Hub and Gomeroi Education teams visit Parry School to run our Boys Group and Girls Group programs. These sessions give students the chance to build strong connections with culture, community and each other through meaningful activities, discussions and cultural learning experiences.

Painting possum skins in Girls Group.

Building skills and connections: basketball fun with the Opportunity Hub!

Weaving with Gomeroi Education.

Starting a wall hanging for the Ngaar Wirribiiyan (Strong Young Women) Art Exhibition.

Creativity and sharing of culture.

Boys Group with Opportunity Hub

The Home Program

Parry School is proud to participate in the HOME Program, which connects students with professional Aboriginal artists, local community members and regional gallery staff to explore culture, language and creative expression. Throughout the program, students take part in workshops, virtual excursions and artmaking sessions that deepen their understanding of Aboriginal perspectives and storytelling. Their artworks were later exhibited in our local gallery, giving students the opportunity to share their creativity and cultural learning with the wider community.