1. Carmel Hewitt Parent Engagement in Learning & Wellbeing

2. “Whatever you would have your children become strive to exhibit in your own lives and conversation” Building relationships is core work of school communities

3. Parental engagement is one of the most important factors in the educational attainment of children and youth Parental engagement recognises that both parents and teachers play an important role in children's learning, development and wellbeing Children generally do better when there are connections between the different spaces they learn in “Schools that improve and sustain improvement almost always have engaged the community and built strong links with parents.“ Parental engagement

4. Children learn everywhere, at any time. Learning has shifted from school-centred to student-centred learning. Working from this stance, there are many influences on learning that need to be elevated. One of the most powerful of these is family engagement, in children’s Learning, development, health & wellbeing.

5. Involvement and Engagement: What’s the difference?

6. Moving beyond just involvement School directed Set agenda School focus Involvement Inclusive Partnerships Informed decisions At school & at home Engagement

7. What’s the difference Engagement Broader role parents and school play in supporting children's learning Involvement parent participation at formal and informal activities at school Impacts outcomes Facilitates relationships

9. Learning Partnerships what matters most  family-led learning focused on high aspirations for children, shared reading, a positive environment for learning, parent-child conversation, a stimulating home environment and support for social and emotional well- being  family-school partnerships that encourage positive parent-teacher relationships, communication about children’s progress, and engagement in the school community, while equipping parents to effectively support and encourage their children’s learning and well-being

10. Engagement in Learning is … Giving parents the tools and the confidence to collaborate around learning Providing opportunities for families to fit together their knowledge and experience with that of the school

11. Belief in importance of education Sense of control over their progress Confidence in their abilities Skills for learning Social and emotional wellbeing Motivation and engagement in learning Outcomes for the child

12. Building capacity  Leadership and reflection are critical to being strategic and to enable effective parent engagement.  There is always somewhere to start and always somewhere to improve.  No single strategy fits all schools.  Questions and ideas help us to adapt strategies to our needs.

13. Parent Education Program (PEP) The Parent Education Program (PEP) is designed to assist schools in building effective learning Partnerships with families and develop the important connection between home and school. Workshops have been developed in alignment with the Broken Bay Catholic Schools Office and are available to support schools with their parent/community engagement strategies and the goals identified in School Improvement Plans. The Parent Education program has been developed as a result of current educational research which indicates the importance of Parent Engagement and family/school partnership and the significant outcomes for students learning and wellbeing. These courses are available to all schools throughout the Diocese and can be adapted to suit the needs of the individual school. Carmel Hewitt, Education Officer –Parent Liaison Carmel.hewitt@dbb.catholic.edu.auCarmel.hewitt@dbb.catholic.edu.au 98470366 Jo Spek, Parent Education Coordinator Jo.spek@dbb.catholic.edu.au

14. Parenting Programs  The Power of Social & Emotional Skills for Children’s Learning Social & Emotional Stages of Development Brain development, supporting SEL at home  Resilient child Strategies to develop ‘Mental Health Fitness’ in children. Based on Positive Psychology  123 magic Parenting strategies for positive behaviour, based on SEL skills.  Seasons for Growth Programs Children's companion program: resilience strategies to deal with grief and loss Parent program: Strategies for parents to support their child when families experience separation and divorce