Common rooms are not general purpose rooms

By John Irving

Many Federation members have asked about their staff common room being used for a range of other purposes, for example parent interview room, small student group "classroom", lunchtime/recess meeting room, storage room and so on.

The staff common room is an amenity room for the total school staff.

It should not be used for any other purpose, particularly for student/parent/community use, unless under exceptional circumstances staff agree to a "one off" use.

The staff relaxation room should be physically separate from staff work and preparation areas.

It should contain adequate chairs, table, dining facilities, kitchenette, stove/microwave, refrigerator, sink, urn, cutlery, crockery, cupboards, storage space and notice boards as minimum requirements.

Unfortunately, smaller primary schools often do not have even basic facilities.

The staff common room should be a reasonably secure area where staff may leave some small personal/professional items from time to time. Staff often have material on notice boards for staff to read, no one else.

Please ensure your staff relaxation/dining common room remains your amenity, not a general-purpose staff/student/parent room.

John Irving is a Country Organiser

For further information

August 2000 contents