× EXIT Opening the School Gate | Ongoing support Holding parent-teacher meetings Schools often report poor involvement of parents from migrant and refugee backgrounds in parent-teacher meetings (Migrant Information Centre, 2002:27). Low attendance at parent-teacher meetings is often an indicator of a lack of previous involvement with schools in Australia or overseas. Those who are more familiar with parent-teacher interviews often fear their language skills are too limited and parents/carers may not know that interpreters are available. They may not have had any previous experience of interpreters being provided at the school or they may be afraid that if the school reports problems with their child, the interpreter will reveal this information to others in the community. What you can do Call parents to invite them to the parent-teacher interview using the family’s preferred language. Explain why you would like them to attend. Use trained interpreters. Explain to parents that interpreters must follow a professional code of ethics and that the information discussed is confidential. To develop staff confidence, support their training in the use of interpreters. Discuss the relevance of parent-teacher interviews at parent meetings. Be sensitive to the language and approach used in interviews. Make sure you give context to comments made about a student’s progress, ensuring you give positive feedback where the student is making good effort and achieving before discussing any concerns. Resources 0 Course menu Introduction 1 Welcome tour 2 Getting started 3 Overview 4 Benefits of engaging families 5 Issues for migrant and refugee families 6 Issues for schools Planning for engagement 1 Overview 2 Involving key staff 3 Identifying the target groups 4 Targeting communities 5 Working with community partners 6 Setting objectives 7 Allocating resources Planning meetings & events 1 Overview 2 Deciding on a format 3 Setting the agenda 4 Seeking parent and student input 5 Choosing an appropriate time 6 Finding a suitable location 7 Arranging childcare 8 Arranging catering 9 Arranging transport 10 Inviting families 11 Translating information 12 Arranging interpreters Meeting management 1 Overview 2 Arranging seating 3 Preparing and managing interpreters 4 Greeting parents 5 Keeping the discussions on track 6 Building trust 7 Exploring expectations about school involvement 8 Explaining practical systems and roles 9 Seeking feedback from parents 10 Sustaining parent involvement Ongoing support 1Overview 2Creating a welcoming environment 3Seeking consent 4Addressing parent concerns about camps 5Catering for cultural dietary needs 6Discussing welfare concerns with parents 7Addressing discipline issues 8Reporting on student progress 9Holding parent-teacher meetings 10Creating opportunities for meaningful involvement Acknowledgements 1 Acknowledgements Resources 0
× EXIT Opening the School Gate | Ongoing support Holding parent-teacher meetings Schools often report poor involvement of parents from migrant and refugee backgrounds in parent-teacher meetings (Migrant Information Centre, 2002:27). Low attendance at parent-teacher meetings is often an indicator of a lack of previous involvement with schools in Australia or overseas. Those who are more familiar with parent-teacher interviews often fear their language skills are too limited and parents/carers may not know that interpreters are available. They may not have had any previous experience of interpreters being provided at the school or they may be afraid that if the school reports problems with their child, the interpreter will reveal this information to others in the community. What you can do Call parents to invite them to the parent-teacher interview using the family’s preferred language. Explain why you would like them to attend. Use trained interpreters. Explain to parents that interpreters must follow a professional code of ethics and that the information discussed is confidential. To develop staff confidence, support their training in the use of interpreters. Discuss the relevance of parent-teacher interviews at parent meetings. Be sensitive to the language and approach used in interviews. Make sure you give context to comments made about a student’s progress, ensuring you give positive feedback where the student is making good effort and achieving before discussing any concerns. Resources 0 Course menu Introduction 1 Welcome tour 2 Getting started 3 Overview 4 Benefits of engaging families 5 Issues for migrant and refugee families 6 Issues for schools Planning for engagement 1 Overview 2 Involving key staff 3 Identifying the target groups 4 Targeting communities 5 Working with community partners 6 Setting objectives 7 Allocating resources Planning meetings & events 1 Overview 2 Deciding on a format 3 Setting the agenda 4 Seeking parent and student input 5 Choosing an appropriate time 6 Finding a suitable location 7 Arranging childcare 8 Arranging catering 9 Arranging transport 10 Inviting families 11 Translating information 12 Arranging interpreters Meeting management 1 Overview 2 Arranging seating 3 Preparing and managing interpreters 4 Greeting parents 5 Keeping the discussions on track 6 Building trust 7 Exploring expectations about school involvement 8 Explaining practical systems and roles 9 Seeking feedback from parents 10 Sustaining parent involvement Ongoing support 1Overview 2Creating a welcoming environment 3Seeking consent 4Addressing parent concerns about camps 5Catering for cultural dietary needs 6Discussing welfare concerns with parents 7Addressing discipline issues 8Reporting on student progress 9Holding parent-teacher meetings 10Creating opportunities for meaningful involvement Acknowledgements 1 Acknowledgements Resources 0
