Principal News

Parent Engagement Network (PEN)

As a Catholic school, St Saviour’s Primary School considers the partnership with parents and families as crucial in the education of each student and to the school being actively involved within the local community. As a school, we welcome the involvement of parents and families in all aspects of school life and commit to nurturing active partnerships.

At St Saviour’s Primary School we have elected to move to the creation of a Parent Engagement Network in response to requests to consider an alternative model to the School Board and Parents and Friends Association, acknowledging the changing nature of families and schools and evolving ways of working together. This Parent Engagement Network continues to honour the place of parents and families in the life of our school through providing an effective avenue for parents and families to come together to be informed, consulted, and learn in relation to school planning, policy, decision making and education programs and engage in activities, projects and events that build community.

The Parent Engagement Network supports the Principal and staff in implementing a comprehensive and contemporary education program. Parents/guardians 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 to support the educational programs of the school.

All parents/guardians are welcome to be ordinary members of the Parent Engagement Network and assist in:

1. developing a positive and affirming community spirit
2. supporting the work of the principal and staff
3. providing feedback to the principal and staff on school initiatives, policies and strategic direction
4. prudent and consultative decision-making
5. promoting interaction between home and school, parents and teachers
6. encouraging parent/family engagement with their child’s learning and school life
7. deepening parent/family understanding of teaching and learning programs
8. promoting the school in the wider community
9. the provision of resources to support the educational program.

The Network is an affiliate of the Catholic Schools Parents Queensland and CSPQ – Diocese of Toowoomba. Affiliation requirements are determined by the CSPQ.

On Tuesday night at the parent information session, parents and teaching staff gathered to hear more about the Parent Engagement Network both face to face and online.  Thanks to those who braced the cold weather and attended the night and enjoyed the tour of the new school facilities.  As a staff we loved sharing these new spaces with our parents.

Now it’s time for those in our community to consider nominating for the following positions at the upcoming AGM on Monday 13^th June 5:30p.m. in the new conference room.

A FEW BRIEF FACTS ABOUT PEN:

Parent Engagement Network meetings will occur once a term.  All parents are welcome to attend each meeting. 

The PEN structure:

Executive consists of Chair, Principal, Parish Priest or parish delegate, Secretary, Team Coordinators

We are seeking nominations for the following PEN executive positions:

• Chair
  • Meet with the Principal/Leadership team prior to the meeting
  • Liaise with the co-ordinators of the working parties
  • Prepare the agenda with the Principal
  • Chair the PEN once a term
• Secretary
  • Correspondence to the community – agenda, minutes
• Coordinators of short term projects (3 to 4 parents)
  • Liaise with working parties
  • Organise events and activities

1. A Working Coordinator for the Community Interest Team

• assist with celebrations/events
• establish links with wider community
• grant applications
• school resourcing and fundraising

2. A Working Coordinator for the Learning Interest Team

• parent education
• parent support in the classrooms
• classroom resourcing

3. A working coordinator for the Service Learning Team

• organise working bees
• pastoral care of families in need
• welcoming new families
• tuckshop organisation

I encourage all parents and staff to consider your strengths, commitment and service to working together to strengthen parent engagement here at St Saviour’s Primary School.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me to learn more.

Please complete the nomination form by clicking on this link to express your interest by Thursday 10^th June.

Click here to nominate

Warm Regards

Madonna Sleba

Principal