The school community is a group that you and your family will be a part of for the entirety of your child’s time at the school. Depending upon the school you have selected, this could be for the next seven to 13 years.
Involving yourself in the school community will allow you to build a support network around your child and family, keep informed about issues and events around the school, and provide you with opportunities to participate in and contribute to the school community.
Building links within the school community, specifically your child’s classroom teacher and with the school leadership team, can assist you in being aware of your child’s progress and their strengths and needs within the classroom.
It is important to be proactive. Make a time to speak to your child’s classroom teacher and discuss options and methods so you are aware of your child’s educational program. If your child experiences difficulty in communicating key messages from school including what happened at school, upcoming activities, and their concerns, it is a good idea to talk to your child’s teacher about ways in which you can stay informed, for example a communication book.
Participating in the life of the school
Schools encourage and benefit from parents taking an active role in the life of the school. You can do this in a variety of ways. Some examples include:
- becoming a parent helper or volunteer
- joining the parent and citizen (P&C) association
- joining the school council if your school has one
- joining a school support group.
If you are interested in being more involved at your child’s school, it is recommended that you talk with the classroom teacher, school leadership team, administrative staff or other parents. You can find more suggestions for becoming involved at the Education Queensland (EQ) website.
Communicating with the school about your child
Establishing effective ways of sharing information with your child’s classroom teacher ensures you are aware of your child’s progress, as well as key events and activities. It is important to clearly establish what and how often information from the classroom teacher to home and vice versa will be communicated.
It is not always possible for a teacher to write a detailed note home everyday or every week. For example, you may agree on a fortnightly note and an email if a significant event occurs.
Examples of communication pathways include:
- home-school communication books
- emails
- newsletters
- parent-teacher meeting opportunities (e.g. scheduling a monthly catch-up)
- activity tick box forms completed by the child with space for teacher comments.
EQ provides key information about how parents can remain informed and active in the life of the school.
Positive Partnerships Online Learning Modules for parents and carers provide specific information about how to establish and maintain an effective partnership with your child’s school.