Parents, families, and carers hold a crucial role as a child’s first and most important teachers. To ensure students’ success in school, it is essential for families, communities, and schools to collaborate and create a nurturing and supportive environment for the learning and development of all children.
Extensive research demonstrates the value of parent engagement from early childhood through the school years. When schools and families form a partnership, children thrive, remain engaged in their education, and achieve better outcomes. Parental engagement significantly influences children’s school experiences, achievements, and transitions to higher education. Moreover, it yields long-term economic, social, and emotional benefits. Parents and families are instrumental in fostering confident and motivated learners (ARACY, 2018).
Effective schools prioritise high levels of parental and community involvement, which greatly impacts student learning and family well-being. This entails seizing everyday opportunities to promote and support learning during interactions with their children and establishing connections between home, school, and the wider community.
At St Therese’s, we actively seek ways to collaborate with families, aiming to enhance their capacity for effective parent engagement.
Key areas of parent involvement include:
- Classroom Engagement: Parents participate in classroom activities, fostering a collaborative learning environment
- St Therese’s School Community (STSC): Families engage with the STSC and School Board to contribute to the school’s growth and development
- School Celebrations: Parents join in school celebrations, including liturgies, assemblies and other initiatives, strengthening community ties and reinforcing shared values
- Sporting Events and Carnivals: Families support students’ participation in sporting events and carnivals, promoting physical well-being and teamwork
- Information Evenings: Parents attend information evenings to stay informed about their child’s education and school updates.
- Parent/Teacher Interviews: Parent/teacher interviews facilitate open communication and partnership in supporting students’ progress
- Feedback and Surveys: Parents provide valuable feedback through surveys and forums, contributing to ongoing school improvement
- Seesaw Updates: Stay informed about events, news, updates and your child’s learning journey through Seesaw.
- Facebook STS Community Hub: Join our closed Facebook group for current STS parents to stay in the know about news, events, and exciting activities happening at our school. It’s a convenient way to stay connected with our community
- Parent Volunteers: Parent helpers significantly enhance teaching and learning in our school. Their support enables teachers to provide enriched experiences for students.
As part of our commitment to student protection, all volunteers are required to be familiar with our Student Protection practices and adhere to the Code of Conduct for Parents and Volunteers.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer parent helper, please download the provided documents, complete the application and declaration forms, and return them to us.
Your involvement as a parent or volunteer greatly enriches the educational journey of our students, and we value your partnership in creating a vibrant and supportive learning community.
Child Protection Handbook for Volunteers
Code of Conduct for Parents and Volunteers
VOLUNTEER Induction Booklet 2023 updated pdf
