I hope that you and your family are staying safe through these challenging times.
I recently read an article about the vital importance of parental engagement which I share with you now.
Parents are an integral part of the education of a young person and the partnership between the school and the family is vital.
Researchers (Harris and Goodall, 2008) identified that parents can make a difference in students' learning. International evidence shows engaged parents can improve learning by the equivalent of six months of school attendance. (Emerson, Fear, Fox and Sanders, 2012). Students whose parents regularly read and talk to them scored on average six months of a school year higher in PISA tests.
Goodall refers to a six-point model which identifies the common elements of effective parental strategies. These include authoritative parenting, knowing the value of education, having high expectations and aspirations, family-led learning in the home, becoming engaged and staying in engaged throughout schooling, and family-school communication.
Authoritative parenting underpins all six strategies. Families are critical to the work of educating young people and the style of parenting they choose affects their child's development.
An authoritative parenting style is a good balance between love and warmth and setting boundaries. 'At home, good parenting' has a substantial influence on children's achievement compared to other factors and is a good predictor of the intellectual and social and emotional outcomes that a child will experience.
Parents model the behaviours of successful lifelong learners to their children.
The major area where the home makes a difference is in setting expectations while expressing encouragement. Parental engagement in learning is effective when parents hold high expectations for their children, communicate a belief in their potential to achieve and discuss their child's aspirational and career aspirations.
Research suggests that the greatest effect that parents can have, is in making the home an extension of schooling, that consistently promotes children's academic achievement.
Academic socialization is an important aspect of family-led learning which goes further than setting the environment for learning in the home and influences social and emotional learning.
At JPC, we value the commitment and support of parents and extended family members in our partnership as we travel the educational journey together.
Recently at the College
This term, students have continued to be involved in our interschool sporting competition and in the many and various ensembles that we offer. While many of their performances have moved to live streaming, they are still enjoying the opportunity to entertain and give others joy. We are incredibly proud of their resilience and focus.
Year Twelve students are entering into the revision period prior to the commencement of the first year of external exams in Queensland. Students have participated in Mock Exams and are receiving feedback on these. Tutorials, further revision and practice exams and a ‘swot vac’ will follow prior to the commencement f the exams across Queensland on 26 October.
| Virtual Open Day
Erring on the cautious side, we recently moved our 12 August scheduled Open Day, to a Virtual Open Day. You are now able to experience something of the College’s academic and extensive co-curricular program together with viewing our beautiful grounds and facilities, in the comfort of your own home. But just to share some of our recent visitors with you, this friendly little one was recently seen near our Year Two classrooms.
Please contact us if you would like a personalised tour during the school holidays.
All the best for the remainder of the term.
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