From Assistant Principal Learning Enrichment

.... Reflection on the Important Partnership between Parents, Students and School 

As we concluded this year’s final round of Parent – Student – Teacher interviews last Thursday with our new Year 12 cohort, it caused me to stop and think about how the last few years have impacted on this critically important relationship. Learning is such a team effort, and the restrictions of the last few years due to COVID rules and regulations really hindered – even halted – the functioning of this team.

One of my favourite sayings is ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. When we think of the village our young people grow up in it traditionally involves family, school and the local community. Today, however, much of our young people’s village is virtual – a world of friends, followers and influencers they have never personally met. This can be a concern; do these people share the values, ideas and morals that we want young people to listen to? It is also a real opportunity for the rest of the village to help our young people learn to discern and make good choices about what is right and just.

Whatever your take on this virtual part of the village our children are growing up in, one thing is crucial - that traditional partnership between families, schools and the local community remains as strong as ever. As we continue into the post-COVID world, I encourage everyone to find any opportunity to build this connection. Teachers will tell you their favourite interviews are often started with a parent saying ‘I just thought I’d come along to meet my child’s teachers’. Similarly, I encourage staff to make contact with a parent just to pass on some positive news or success about their child.

Working together, we can achieve great things.