Communication

Communication

Parent - Teacher Consultation

Parents are encouraged to

communicate with a child’s

teacher whenever they feel

there is a need. (Teachers

should also feel there will be

an open response if they need

to approach parents).

Usually an interview is arranged by telephoning for a mutually acceptable meeting time.

Whilst minor matters can sometimes be dealt with briefly immediately before or after school, teachers are very busy at these times. For the benefit of both parties, personal matters should be discussed privately.

At the interview a staff member will endeavour to work out, with the parent, an appropriate plan of action and then arrange a follow-up time to review the situation.

Parents may also arrange to see the Principal although in most cases of inquiry about a child’s progress, the child’s teacher is best consulted in the first instance.

Parental Involvement

The school encourages parents to take an active role in their children’s education in a number of ways:

* Working alongside the teacher as a parent helper in the classroom.

* Assisting on class visits outside the school. On some trips parents cars are offered to transport children. It is school policy that all children will be seatbelted.

* Accompanying classes on camps. This can involve being away for up to four nights.

* Sharing specialised skills such as giving talks on a particular professional role, trade, craft, hobby etc.

* Voluntary work on the Parent Support Group which organises fundraising ventures and social occasions.

* Assisting with sports coaching.

* Working Bees.

Home Contact:

We consider an "open" policy most advantageous to all.

The following are some examples of home / school contacts.

1. Pre-School visits - with other children from Playcentre / Kindergarten / Nursery School

2. Individual Class - Children take home information / communications from their teacher to keep parents informed of events, ‘study’topics and other relevant details relating to the classroom, e.g. via notebooks and Newsletters.

3. School Newsletters - At two weekly intervals ( Thursdays) the school sends home a newsletter covering coming events, relevant BOT news, goals and targets for students and the school student achievement data, items of interest such as sports results etc.

News sheets and class notices are sent home as needed.

4. Homework - All classes have a homework policy. This will be communicated to parents very early in the year by each classroom teacher.

5. School Reports - Student Led Conferences are held in term two. At the end of the year a comprehensive written report is sent home.

Note: Although interviews are programmed, an interview can be arranged at anytime on request.

As necessary, special parents meetings are arranged to discuss educational issues as they might apply to our school.