Principal News
Dear Parents, Staff and Students,
I draw your attention to the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Parent Engagement Charter which can be found on this link:
The following is from the above document:
The Parents and Friends Association (P&F), school boards and Parent Partnership Forum (PPF) are the three most prominent formal groups for parental involvement in processes.
P&F
The primary purpose of this group is to support the principal and staff in the provision of high quality educational programs, resources and facilities.
School Board
The School Board comprises members of the parent community who serve on the board for three years. The primary purpose of the Board is to support the Principal in the development of policy and provide advice in the areas of • curriculum • buildings and facilities • finance • enrolment • staffing.
Parent Partnership Forum
The PPF is an amalgam of the responsibilities of the P&F and school board. This model, originally designed for use in smaller school communities, currently operates in some of our schools.
This week at the School Board meeting and the Parent’s and Friend’s meeting, I proposed to those in attendance to consider adopting the Parent Partnership Forum model for 2021 rather than the traditional P & F and School Board models. I raise this with the community to help strengthen our parent engagement, to ensure all parents feel welcomed and able to make a worthwhile contribution to the life of the school and the education journey of your child or children.
It is well researched that when parents engage with their children’s learning great things happen:
- Attendance increases
- Behaviour in school improves
- Homework return rates increase
- Volunteers increase
- Children’s achievement tends to improve
- Communication between all stakeholders is productive and informative
What is a Parent Partnership Forum?
It is an alternative model to the traditional P & F and School Board groups, a PPF honors the place of parents in the life of schools and provides a more effective and realistic avenue for the voice of parents to contribute to school planning and decision making. The changing nature of families and schools has shifted the traditional understanding of parent involvement. Other Toowoomba Catholic Schools have adopted this new model of parent involvement and engagement which have proven to better serve their current context. (adapted from Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools: Parent Partnership Forum Constitution)
The Forum supports the work of the principal and staff in ensuring a comprehensive and contemporary education program. Parents would continue to have an advisory role in decisions made in the development and implementation of the strategic plan and policies of the school as well as the provision of resources which support the educational endeavour of the school.
The Forum provides an alternative model which integrates the functions of the school Board and the P & F, acknowledging that not all functions can be replicated in this new model.
All are welcome to attend the meetings and assist in:
- developing a positive and affirming community spirit
- supporting the work of the principal and staff
- providing feedback to the principal and staff on school initiatives, policies and strategic direction
- prudent and consultative decision-making
- promoting interaction between home and school, parents and teachers
- encouraging parent engagement with their child’s learning and school life
- deepening parent understanding of teaching and learning programs
- promoting the school in the wider community
- creating a forum for discussion
- the provision of resources to support the educational program
Why consider the change to the PPF?
For several years we have had trouble in enlisting sufficient numbers of people to fill the traditional volunteer positions on the School Board and P & F Executives. Often it is left to four people whose generosity of time and advice, which is truly valued by me as Principal and the school community, to make decisions, organize events and activities. What is clear is that there have been diminishing numbers of parents willing and able to be involved in these groups.
The PPF would still consist of an executive (chairperson, secretary and Principal and Parish Priest). The agenda would continue to include: Principal report, Finance report, Diocesan P & F report.
On Monday 12th October, the School Board and P & F executive will meet with the school leadership team to discuss and hear more about the Parent Partnership Forum. The meeting is scheduled for 5:10p.m. in the meeting room off the school library.
If you would like more information or are interested in attending, please contact the school reception.
QLD WIDE STUDENT FREE DAY ON SEPTEMBER 4TH 2020
All students will have a student free day on Friday 4th September.
Teachers will engage in professional development in the art of teaching writing, whilst our school officers will participate in how best to support students in the classroom using assistive technologies.
BOOK WEEK CELEBRATIONS
Thanks to Mrs Anderson, Mrs Powers and Mrs Milton, for bringing alive the 2020 Book Week theme: Curious Creatures, Wild Minds. The students and even some parents have had fun together creating a variety of curious creatures and there is more to come later in the term with dress ups. Check out LIBRARY NEWS for more information.
Mrs Anderson is an advocate in promoting the idea that we, as learners, need to be curious creatures seeking information, ideas and answers through great questions and reading reliable information sources. Thanks Library Team for your creativity and the enthusisam and joy you bring to our children's learning each week.
Thanks for taking the time to read our news!
Madonna Sleba