Tanjong Katong Girls School Parent Link Handbook 2015
1.0 The Big Picture
Parentlink has been set up at TKGS to support the three legged stool philosophy. It is the platform that allows the school leaders, the parent and the child to work together to excel at all activities. Parentlink aims to provide all parents with a sense of belonging and greater engagement in the lives of their child. Through this teachers and principals are also better supported and positive relationships with parents are built resulting in a happier learning environment
2.0 4 TKGS Principles The four principles govern not only the culture of the school but also its interactions with Partners.
The principles are as follows:
· Student-Centred Leadership
The school makes a determined effort to lead, care and inspire all the students. The school nurtures each TKGian holistically and builds quality relationships that are based on trust and respect. All students are provided with opportunities. The school preserve the common space and develop all students to be contributing citizens of Singapore.
· Gracious Interactions
The school inspires graciousness in building quality relationships. A culture that welcomes innovation through empowerment is created. This culture fosters humility and respect in all interactions and aids the development of service orientation at all levels. The end results are mutually-supportive relationships with parents, alumni and stakeholders.
· A Professional Learning Community
TKGS models humility in the pursuit of the school’s excellence. Continuous learning is valued and the love of learning is passed on to the students. The school community contributes to the professional development of peers by leveraging on data and information that assist reflection and growth. The spirit of inquiry, collaboration and leadership are encouraged at all levels.
· Responsible Stewardship
TKGS exercises integrity in the stewardship of the school and sets high standards of leadership and ownership at all levels. All talents of staff and students are appreciated and the school grows these to the best of its ability. TKGS believes in making wise use of resources to achieve the best outcomes for the TKGians, growing the name and reputation of TKGS as a School of Distinction.
Parentlink is engaged through these four principles as well. All decisions are made through rationalising the purpose of a given a situation and engaging partners in the planning purposes. An assessment of how objectives can be met is conducted with collaborations that are governed by the 4 TKGS principles. Heightened capabilities in service of student-centric interests are achieved.
• What’s the purpose of partnership?
• Student-Centered Leadership
• How do we work together?
• Gracious Interactions
• What do we do with the additional resources we get from our partners?
• Responsible Stewardship
• What will we gain as a result of the partnership?
• Professional Learning Community
3.0 Parent Link Working Committee
The Parent Link Working Committee is structured as follows:
There are two pillars to the committee. One of the pillars is IGNITE and the other is CONNECT. The IGNITE pillar supports TKGian Learning, Well-Being and Parents. The CONNECT Pillar engages in public relations and manages communications platforms that keep parents updated and informed on all school events.
Each Pillar is headed by the pillar in-charge and each sub section has a project team in-charge. The pillar in-charge is the School’s parent representative for internal and external events and oversees all project teams within the Pillar. This includes planning, coordinating and monitoring the progress of each sub section. This in-charge also ensures a synergistic coordination between pillars.
The Project team in-charge understands the needs and interest areas relating to their project theme. Through this understanding, project plans are made and implemented in discussion with the Pillar in-Charge. This individual also raises suggestions to the Parentlink Committee and the School. Most importantly Parentlink events are promoted and participation encouraged.
4.0 What do we do?
The activities at Parentlink are diverse and range from fund raising to networking sessions. This is a sneak peek into past events:
TEACHERS DAY 2014!
TOWKAY SALES!
O levels Snack Distribution!
On an on-going basis Parentlink connects through quarterly meetings in which critical school information is shared by the school leaders and parents bonding through team activities is conducted.
Guest speakers are brought in to give information that assist in addressing the most common worries that parents may have regarding their teenage child’s academic and social development
Parentlink is also connected through Whatsapp Chats and Facebook. These portals give advice, updates and leisure. Newbies can get valuable learning from the senior counterparts on most educational and social matters.
5.0 What is it in for YOU?
Positive working relationship between parents and teachers has shown to produce children who do better, behave better and lead a happier school life. Parents can do a better job when they have support of their peers in this case other parents! By providing the right support at home you are empowering yourself and the school to build your child up to the best of their capabilities.
Staying connected keeps you updated of new developments at school as well as parenting strategies. It allows you to have something in common with your child.
Access to resources will assist you in parenting skills. The parent link library is equipped with many books that help parents deal with challenges of growing children. In addition, the connectivity to parents assists many in academic matters.
A feeling of security will be established for your child and you. Parentlink is a place where you belong. If you experience a problem, the assurance that many others are in the same boat can ease the worry. Many learn from the experiences of others and sail through this phase of parenthood smoothly.
6.0 How can YOU contribute?
Every single parent is a valued entity of Parentlink.
· YOU are needed to make the parentlink meetings fruitful.
· YOU are needed for school activities
· YOU are needed for fund raising events
· YOU are needed for learning journeys
· YOU ARE NEEDED……………………
The opportunities to contribute are endless. There is no pressure and the group appreciates the parents’ assistance based on their availability.
Parentlink is looking for successful parent involvement. This involvement extends into the home environment. Parents are encouraged to engage their children in conversations pertaining to school events, CCA and academics. Parents can also show their support by attending functions, concerts and competitions.
7.0 Testimonials
People have asked us "What is so special about the 2014 graduating cohort?" And our response has always been "The Parents".
From Orientation to Graduation, the 2014 parents have been a bonded and united team. Working towards providing a great secondary school experience for our girls and working together with TKGS to assist, support and give feedback when necessary.
Many of our parents are very active in Parentlink and those who are unable to attend meetings and events are constantly kept in the loop regarding the school and their girls. We realised from the start that one of the greatest resources a parent of a secondary school girl can have is the wealth of information, experience and support of the other parents in the school.
We recognised that while TKGS provided our daughters with many opportunities to excel and succeed, we could, in our own way as a group, contribute and take it one step further. We had a huge sms network which was later upgraded to a WhatsApp group. Whenever we had ideas or issues to present to the school, we would sort it out amongst ourselves first and then appoint a spokesperson to represent us. This immediately formed a clear and effective channel of communication with the school and lead to a great partnership with the TKGS leaders.
We helped each other out - sharing tips and offering alternatives. Carpooling and organising little makan sessions to further strengthen our bonds. We are proud to say that even though our girls have graduated from TKGS, our ties and affection for each other remain. We now have a Parentlink Alumni Wattsapp group and continue to share and support each other.
We would like to thank TKGS for giving us all the support and encouragement to operate as a group. The school has always had an open door policy when it came to us and we are grateful for the hours spent with the school leaders who took the time to meet us, hear us out and implement out suggestions.
8.0 Concluding Remarks
Parentlink is the bridge that can remove any disconnect between the parents and the school. Communication barriers can be removed and friendships built.
All parents are warmly invited into the Parentlink Family!
2015 Schedule of Parentlink Meetings and Activities
Date/Time / Event / Venue / RemarksTerm1
Saturday 10 Jan 0830 / Sec 1 Meet the Parents / Designated Classroom & Hall / Sec 1 Parents
Friday 23 Jan 1800 / Parent Networking Evening cum Campfire / The Studio / Sec 1 Parents and Parentlink
Friday 6 Feb
1900-2100 / Welcome Dinner and First Parentlink Meeting / The Studio or Arts Cafe / Information via facebook and email
Wednesday 11 Feb
0940-1030 / Sec 1e1 brunch / The Studio / Invitation through students
Friday 13 Feb
0940-1030 / Sec 1e2 brunch / The Studio / Invitation through students
Wednesday 25 Feb
0940-1030 / Sec 1e3 brunch / The Studio / Invitation through students
Friday 27 Feb
0940-1030 / Sec 1e4brunch / The Studio / Invitation through students
Wednesday 4 Mar
0940-1030 / Sec 1e5 brunch / The Studio / Invitation through students
Friday 6 Mar
0940-1030 / Sec 1e6 brunch / The Studio / Invitation through students
Friday 6 Mar
1900-2100 / Fathers@school
Dinner with Dad / To be confirmed / Information via facebook and email
Saturday 14 Mar / Sec 2-4 Meet the Parents / Studio, Hall / Online sign up
Term2
Wednesday 1 Apr
1900-2100 / Second Parentlink Meeting / The Studio The Studio or Arts Cafe / Information via facebook and email
MOE Excel Fest / Information via facebook and email
Saturday 11 Apr
0800-1100 / Conference for Parents by Parents / To be confirmed / To be confirmed
Wednesday 22 Apr
0720-0820 / Principal’s chat with Sec 4 Parents / Arts Cafe / Information via facebook and email
Wednesday or Friday in Week 9 or 10 Recess / PL Stall / Foyer / Parentlink
Wednesday 27 May / Career Awareness Day / TKGS / Parent Speakers needed.
Friday 29 May / Sec 1-4 Teacher-Parent Conference / Hall / Online sign up
Term3
Week 1 to 6 / Sec 4 IR Refreshment / Canteen / Parent Volunteers needed
Saturday 11 July
0800-1100 / Parenting workshop / To be confirmed / Information via facebook and email
Monday 20 Jul
0720-0820 / Principal’s Chat with Sec 3 Parents / Arts Cafe / Information via facebook and email
Wednesday 22 Jul
0720-0820 / Principal’s Chat with Sec 2 Parents / Arts Cafe / Information via facebook and email
Friday 24 Jul
1900-2100 / Third Parentlink Meeting / The Studio or Arts Cafe / Information via facebook and email
Wed or Friday in Week 8 Recess / PL Stall / Foyer / Parentlink
Term 4
Friday 9 Oct
1900-2100 / Final Parentlink Meeting / The Studio or Arts Cafe / Information via facebook and email
Oct / Post Exam Activity by PL / Parentlink committee to provide information
Saturday 14 Nov
0830-1430 / TKGS Open House / TKGS / Whole School and Parentlink
Saturday 21 Nov
0900-1100 / Ask the Leaders @ TKGS / The Studio / Parent volunteers
In Dec(TBC)
AM / 2016 Sec 1 Registration / Hall / Sharing about Parentlink with new parents