There are many ways parents and other adults who play an important role in a child’s life can be involved with their children’s education at home, at school and in the community.

As a parent, or an adult who plays an important role in the life of a child, your involvement in your child’s education at school and at home shows your child that you value education.

Teachers can see that you care about your child’s learning. You can provide teachers with the most reliable source of information about your child. The partnership between you and your child’s teacher is a powerful one.

Here are some ways you can be involved in your child’s education each year at school:

• Meet the teacher. Tell them about your child’s interests and hobbies. Let them know how and when it is best to reach you. Ask them how you can support your child’s learning at home.
• Arrange an interview with your child’s teacher through the school office to discuss academic progress, behaviour or any concern you may have.  Our teachers are happy to take time to talk with you.  It is important to make the effort to get to know your child’s teacher early in the year.  Let them know how they can contact you if you are working.  Making the effort to talk with the teacher shows your child that you value what happens at school.
• Join the P&C Association. Attend meetings, go to school events like Education Week activities, sports carnivals, assemblies, dance etc.  As a group, see how you can help the school reach its goals.
• Volunteer your time to help at school.  Even working parents are able to spend some time helping at school.  Taking a day off work to help at a sports carnival shows your child that you think school activities are important.
• Stay up-to-date on school policies, schedules and rules. Ask about opportunities to participate in the development of school policies.  Discuss the policies with your children and other parents.
• Contact your child’s teacher if you have any concerns about what’s going on with your child at school.  Don’t discuss problems only with other parents outside of the school.  Be fair and get all sides of the story. Talk with the teacher first and then follow the correct process if you need to get more information or make a complaint.