Improving learner outcomes

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Opening the School Gate | Planning meetings & events

Seeking parent and student input

Parents are unlikely to remain engaged with your school if their current concerns are not addressed. One way information flow from staff can leave parents feeling frustrated and powerless, so it is important to seek some input into what issues are of concern to your target group (see Appendix 1).

Involving students will enhance the success of initiatives. A student’s active approval or disapproval can influence family members. Students can feel a sense of stigma if their parents are contacted or appear at school without their knowledge.

If you are focusing on a particular cultural group, or a few different groups, it is important to explain why they have been chosen, to avoid perceptions of racism. Students can offer practical advice on the most effective approach to take with their families and what may be appropriate for their community or religion. It is also important to give students an opportunity to discuss school issues.

For some groups, it may be regarded as culturally inappropriate for young people to voice opinions or challenge the ideas of their parents or other adults in public. This reaction to student involvement has to be handled sensitively. It may not be appropriate for students to attend meetings at the same time as adults, but it is worth exploring other avenues for their involvement.

A culturally diverse school in south western Sydney established a parent café to improve engagement levels by newly arrived parents and carers. The café provides a relaxed and supportive environment for parents and carers to raise issues and for staff to gain valuable feedback from their school community.

At the café, various topics chosen in consultation with parents and carers, are discussed on a weekly basis. Teachers and executive staff as well as guest speakers from community organisations and other government agencies present information on the selected topics which are then discussed.

The school’s Community Liaison Officer plays a central role in promoting the parent café and facilitating the weekly meetings. As a result of this initiative, parent and community engagement has increased significantly at the school with parents and carers contributing regularly to school planning and decision making processes.Teachers and executive staff as well as guest speakers from community organisations and other government agencies present information on the selected topics which are then discussed.

  • Ask for input from parents/carers when you are starting an initiative, to make sure it is in keeping with their ideas and concerns.
  • Ask parents/carers what issues they would like to discuss (see Appendix 1 in resources). If your school is beginning a whole school strategy for parent involvement it may be worthwhile having Appendix 1 translated into the school’s largest language groups. Although individual translations are not provided free of charge to the school, the benefits gained from this approach may far outweigh the costs involved. For guidance on preparation of documents for translation send an email to interpreting@det.nsw.edu.au or call 9244 5311.
  • Discuss your intentions with the school’s parent association to gain their support for multicultural initiatives in the school.
  • Ask for feedback on what worked well and what should be changed after you have engaged a number of families.
  • Explain your strategy to students and why you are focusing on particular groups.
  • Ask advice from students and bicultural workers about what families may find culturally appropriate before launching into your strategy.
  • Work separately with students to support them in exploring issues.
  • Seek ways to include students’ ideas in the parent session.
  • Invite students to speak at meetings to represent students’ ideas or views.
  • Structure a dialogue between parents, students and teachers in a non-confrontational atmosphere of sharing.
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