This edition of ParentNet looks at a successful strategy for Connecting Home & School Learning in Secondary School - ‘Patrician Partners in Literacy’ program. This program was founded on the belief that parents are the first teachers of their children and that "the home is both the beginning and foundation of all learning" and also the observation that many parents feel disengaged from the learning process after their children move to secondary education. It sought to bring parents into the school and engage them in the teaching and learning of literacy - with many exciting (and unintended) outcomes!

Download ParentNet here

Thinking about how to involve parents in Literacy and Numeracy Week?

National Literacy and Numeracy Week represents a collaborative approach by the Australian Government and school communities to highlight the importance of literacy and numeracy skills for all children and young people, with a specific focus on school-aged children. The Week gives schools the opportunity to get involved in a range of literacy and numeracy activities. The Week aims to recognise locally the achievements of students and the work of teachers, parents and members of the community who support young people to develop stronger literacy and numeracy skills. Resources for building parent capacity and confidence (engagement): http://www.nlnw.nsw.edu.au/parentb.htm http://www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolsandyou/detcms/navigation/helping-your-child-learn/reading/ Involving parents in celebrations: http://www.literacyandnumeracy.gov.au/national-celebration-literacy/read-australia http://www.literacyandnumeracy.gov.au/search/node/parents Literacy and Numeracy Week Website: http://www.literacyandnumeracy.gov.au

New Australian Lit Review on Parent Engagement

In 2010 the NSW Government announced that it was providing funds to the NSW Joint Parent Forum (comprising Government, Catholic and Independent school parent bodies) for an ‘Engaging with Parents, Carers and Families’ strategy. The strategy involves the development of ‘pre-service’ teacher training and ‘in-service’ teacher professional development modules to support enhanced parent and community involvement in schooling.

The modules are being written by the Australian Catholic University under the leadership of Dr Sue Saltmarsh and an academic advisory panel comprised of academics from the major NSW universities. A summary of the literature review undertaken for this project can be found in the latest edition of ParentNet (T3.11) due out 22 July. Click on the following link: http://www.ccsp.catholic.edu.au/dbpage.php?pg=Newsletters&toplink=4

New Australian Book - Must Read on Parent Engagement!

With the assistance of the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT, a new book has been published entitled: Bridging the Gaps Between Families and Schools.

Bridging the gaps provides a practical manual for use by school communities who wish to transform their school using an ‘evolutionary model of change’.

This book is timely given the current emphasis on the school needing to being a socially inclusive community, one that involves all the members that comprise the school.

A range of successful examples are provided in the book as well as reflection questions for “creative Principals, a venturesome
staff and an enthusiastic parent body” to develop solutions relevant to their own community.

Nance’s book also gives special attention to the needs of parents who may be on the periphery, such as “Indigenous parents, those from other cultural backgrounds without spoken English, single parents and all who are just trying to survive”.

In the words of Dr Nance Millar:

“The purpose of the book is to instil in parents, principals and
teachers an appreciation of the role of parents as ‘primary educators’
of their children and an understanding that this role is exercised
through collaboration, or partnership, with teachers and all members
of the school community”.


The book can be purchased from St. Pauls Books:
http://www.stpauls.com.au/product/4744

National Catholic Education Commission Convention 2011

Inspiration and Identity: Catholic Education in Australian Society will be the convention theme. International and national speakers will present keynote speeches and will lead in developing six area strands as sub sets of the overall theme. Parent and Community will be one of the strands. Danielle Cronin, Executive Director of the CCSP and NCEC Parent Committee Chair is co-convenor of the parent and community strand along with Ann Bliss, Executive Director of the SA Federation of Catholic School Parent Communities.

For more information, visit: www.nceconv2011.com.au/

Look Out 2011

Join the conversation with local and international speakers and delegates, and explore what it means to be an innovative outward facing school in the 21st century.

* Lead for outward facing communities
* Develop strong, inclusive partnerships for learning
* Dialogue to push the boundaries of educational reform
* Re-imagine the learning landscape
* Achieve learning outcomes and life chances for all

Hosted by the Catholic Education Office Melbourne, explore new ways to look at learning. Be part of the future, hear international speakers, join breakfast conversations, wine and cheese chats, workshops and much more.

AUD$450 per delegate (AUD$405 for early bird registrations)

Look out for further information and details or email Lookout2011@ceomelb.catholic.edu.au to register your interest in any further details regarding this event.

Spirit Dream - In Burning Hearts - A National Gathering for those involved in Catholic schools

This National Gathering offers a creative forum for all those involved in Catholic schools to come together:

- To reflect on the reality, affirm the strengths and name the issues concerning Catholic identity, faith formation and evangelisation in our Catholic school communities
- To address the issues concerning Catholic identity, faith formation and evangelisation of staff, students and families in our school communities
- To envisage and explore future possibilities for a new evangelisation within our Catholic school communities

The Gathering is open to participation of representatives from all levels of involvement with Catholic schools, including importantly parents and caregivers.

For more information click here