Welcome back to term 3!

As we commence Semester 2, 2020 we find ourselves in a much more positive space than we have been in. Whilst it is essential that we remain vigilant and do not become complacent about the potential of another round of Covid-19 here in WA, we are having some time now to think not just about moving forward but also looking at the learnings from our experiences over the past 6 months.

While we are cautiously moving ahead in a positive frame of mind, I am sad to be hearing stories about teachers from across all systems, commenting on how much better it is not having parents on school sites! I ask the question ‘better for who?’ At a time where we are talking more and more about the significant and positive outcomes of parent involvement and engagement in their children’s learning and the importance of the home/school partnership, how can we take this to the next level if parents as key stakeholders in this space do not feel welcome on school sites. We are so grateful to our schools and teachers in regard to the fantastic work that they are doing in reconnecting our children to school and each other, however we cannot ignore the fact that many of our parents are still feeling a level of anxiety (particularly in light of what it happening currently in the Eastern states) around their children’s wellbeing, safety and learning.

The Catholic school is a community, these days possibly the first real community our children will belong to. Therefore, it is incumbent on all of us as part of this life-giving community to find ways that we can all work together in the best interests of those we are there to serve, our children and students.

Rather than dwelling on the negatives of this situation maybe we should be looking at why teachers are feeling this way. One of the conversations we have heard is about parents (when allowed on school grounds) sometimes delaying the start of class by attempting to have ‘impromptu’ meetings with teachers at the beginning of the day. While on occasion it may be necessary to inform a teacher of some important issue concerning a child, CSPWA would suggest that schools take this opportunity to relook at their communications procedures. It may even be a good time to review these guidelines and invite some parents to be part of this process. Information should include when, how and where parents and teachers can communicate with each other. This allows for both parties to prepare themselves for a conversation that will hopefully result in a good outcome for all.

Whilst this is just one challenge that teachers are talking about there may be others that would be worth discussing together and forming some guidelines around.  Guidelines that are developed in partnership between parents and teachers are much more likely to be effective, as both parties feel they have been consulted with and therefore have a vested interest in the outcome.

Karen Mapp, a family engagement expert from the US recently released a second version of her Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships and indicated through her recent research “one of the things many people said, and is actually borne out through the research, is that the relationship, the development of relational trust, between home and school, is key for any other relationship to actually take place”. How do we manage this if one half of the relationship does not feel welcome at school?

To end on a more positive note, we know that many schools together with their P&F’s and parent groups are back working together building positive and energetic school communities. We would love to share some of your stories both in our newsletter and through our social media pages. Send them through to Theresa@csp.wa.edu.au and we will showcase your activities.

Until next time, stay vigilant and stay safe.

S

Schools across Australia are gearing up to sock it to poverty with Socktober in October 2020! To find out how your students can learn about mission and social justice, while making a difference and having lots of fun, check out this video!

Still have questions? Catholic Mission’s free webinar on Thursday, July 30 at 2pm will provide all the information you need, including tips and tricks from current primary and secondary teachers. A recording will be available after the session.

Register today: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pOcLDBuFRTucubV3IYOPkA

#Socktober2020 #sockittopoverty ⚽

Or contact Judith, our Schools Engagement Coordinator at JNyamuli@catholicmission.org.au.

President-Catherine Howarth (Francis Jordan CPS)

Vice President-Anna Wood (St Kieran's CPS)

Treasurer-Richard Bone (Mercy College)

Secretary-Rebeccca Furfaro (Salvado College)

We warmly welcome back our existing coucillors-

Alan Buckley (Bunbury Catholic College)

Marina Hayward (Mater Christi CPS)

Simone Northcott (St Mara Goretti CPS)

Kate Price (St Anthony's CPS Greenmount)

CSPWA would also like to welcome two new council members

Michelle Francis (Holy Cross College)

Belinda Stewart (St Elizabeth's CSP)

According to the CSPWA constitution, we have the capacity to have an additional five more council members. We are currently following up with some parents from the dioceses of Geraldton and Broome, as we feel it vitally important that the voice of the rural and remote parent is heard at the table. However, we would be very happy to hear from 2-3 parents who feel they would like to serve the wider Catholic school parent community, through participation on CSPWA Council. For anyone who would like additional information as to what the role entails, please don’t hesitate to contact Siobhan on 0409 025 683 for further information. The key pre-requisite is that you have a child in a school which is currently affiliated with Catholic School Parents WA. 

CSPWA staff congratulate all council members on their nomination and we look forward to working hard with all of you in the year ahead, continuing  our commitment to those parents who chose a Catholic education for their children.

To view AGM reports click

The Junior Crew Pack is a marine safety educational resource for primary school students in Years 3, 4, and 5. It focuses on 3 key marine safety topics:

• Safe use of boats.
• Personal boating safety.
• Safety of others when boating.

The program was introduced to present important marine safety knowledge and skills from the Recreational Skipper's Ticket (RST) in a way that primary aged students can appreciate.

It was developed by the DoT's Marine Education Boatshed in partnership with:

• Department of Education.
• School Curriculum and Standards Authority.

Students are awarded a Junior Crew Certificate upon completion of a number of worksheets, activities, and tasks.

This resource is available FREE to teachers in Western Australian primary schools.

The Junior Crew program is aligned to the school curriculum and teachers can offer this course as a cross-curricular program.

The program can be used to cover a number of themes, such as:

• Water safety.
• Sea and seashore.
• Lakes and rivers.
• Summer.
• Holidays.
• Weather.
• Recreation.

The program addresses two of the seven general capabilities of school curriculum:

• Critical and creative thinking.
• Personal and social capability.

To Find out more visit the website https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarine/junior-crew-program.asp