PRINCIPALS MESSAGE
P& F MEETING – COME AND HAVE A SAY
The P&F group meet once per Term in Week 8 on Tuesday evening from 6.30 – 7.30pm in the staff common room. This is next week - Tuesday 14th June. Why not come along and contribute to the conversation that involves your child and their school..
THE IMPORTANCE OF PARENT-TEACHER-STUDENT INTERVIEWS
As we move through the early onset of the winter chill we also come towards the end of this very busy Term and we reach the half way mark of the academic year for Years 7 - 10. Traditionally this is a time of formal reporting on the progress of the students to their families. I am often asked by parents, “how can I assist my child through their schooling. It is so different to when I went to school”.
The simplest way is to show interest and discuss progress and classwork and learning with them. Demonstrate to them that you think their learning is important. Take pride in their successes and work with them when they are less successful.
The Parent –Teacher – Student (P/T/S) interviews that take place in conjunction with the report are crucial for students to access learning success. It is a time to check on progress, identify areas for improvement, enjoy the successes and set a direction for further development in the learning for the rest of the year.
Research shows that student’s who have a family that is supportive and interested about their studies, perform better than equally talented students with no home support or interest.
They take more care and pride in their work and want to do their best, and this also pleases their parents. For parents, it is not about doing the work with or for them, it is about the time and presence that is generated by your genuine interest.
Parent interest also creates a unity with the class teacher in the home working with the College in ensuring the best possible learning outcomes for the child. I look forward to seeing all parents at these important interviews.
The interviews should comprise of two parts – the first an honest and open discussion of performance to date and the second a road map for improvement into the future. On many occasions the feedback provided from Staff will point out issues or areas of improvement and as parents we may not like to hear these. However, the true purpose of these interviews is to work together in framing conditions for your child to reach their maximum potential. And that is what we need to do – together.
I will be available at the Parent/Teacher/Student interviews to meet and discuss any matters with you that you would like to raise.