"It takes a village to raise a child."

This African proverb reinforces the idea that an entire community of people interacts with children for them to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment. There is a great deal of evidence to support the notion that parental involvement is a component of school success. Many studies cite parent engagement as a critical factor affecting the success of individual students and the school environment itself. Consistent findings are that student success is generally the result of three groups collaborating to provide the best opportunities for the future—teachers, parents, and the community. A research review by Anne T. Henderson and Karen L. Mapp – A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family, and Community Connections on Student Achievement found that there is a significant positive correlation between school, family, and community involvement and student success.

Experience also says that when family /parent values and expectations are consistent with those of the School, it is a great environment for the students.

Generally, responsibility for providing an excellent educational experience for learners falls on the shoulders of the principals, teachers and staff. However, a reality is that a good proportion of a child’s life and education occurs outside the classroom. What the child brings to school from home impacts in the lives of students. This is why community engagement and involvement in schools is an important facet of the educational process.

When schools, parents, families, and communities work together to support learning, students tend to earn higher grades, attend school more regularly, stay in school longer, and achieve greater success beyond school.

This can be challenging in a contemporary Boarding school like Calrossy as some families are quite a distance away. Also, in 21st Century Australia, most parents lead very busy lives, meaning that time is limited to support the educational aspect of their children’s lives. That is why they select a good school. An additional factor around parent engagement is that whilst Infants and Primary students love having their parents, carers and grandparents around, as they hit adolescence they start to seek (and need to take on) greater independence. Despite these realities, community is important.

Parent Volunteering and Involvement

In recognition of the importance of community involvement, there are many ways that parents can contribute:

• Attend Junior School assemblies and school events
• Talk to your child, taking an active interest in what they are learning and doing
• Turn up to sporting and cultural events, sport carnivals, representative events
• Encourage grandparents to attend activities when they can
• Take an active role in Parent/Teacher feedback and conferences
• Volunteer in your areas of expertise
• Provide feedback, both positive and negative. (I strongly encourage this and welcome input from parents.) This can be done informally or via occasional surveys
• Assist with reading groups and other areas in which you have skills & experiences, such as careers education etc.
• Boarder parents can visit for the weekend
• Get to know the parents of your children’s friends
• Assist with coaching a sport or cultural group or scoring in a sporting activity
• Referee, umpire and/or score in school sporting fixtures or cultural activities
• Suggest service activities for our students to make a difference

I am grateful to the Calrossy community for their support and involvement in the School. We are constantly wanting to develop in this area and The HUB and Calrossy App have been developed to enhance our communication. The togetherness that is generated in community enhances our school and provides a wonderful environment in which our students can flourish and succeed. As we discovered during COVID-19 last year, together we are stronger.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12: 9 -10

David Smith

Principal