Years of research tells us that parent engagement in children’s learning makes a significant difference. Whilst the research evidence indicates that most value comes from parents and families fostering a general atmosphere of learning and a supportive, motivating environment for children to undertake activities in the home (Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth, 2020), school-based involvement is also considered very important as this has a strong impact on the social function of the school community and contributes to children feeling happy, safe and secure at school.
The further easing of COVID-19 restrictions this term enabled us to welcome parents back onsite to become involved and engage in the wide variety of activities which have enriched the experiences offered to our students. A brief overview of the Term 3 activities bears testimony to the integral role that parents play within our Junior School community. In reflecting on this term, one of my true highlights has been to experience the engagement, commitment and enthusiasm from our parents and families. This has varied through engaging children in their learning at home to volunteering inside or outside the classroom and hosting or supporting Junior School events.
Our parent and family volunteers are a vital component of the Junior School’s support network. I have had the pleasure to witness first-hand our classroom helpers in action, whether it be assisting in the Year 3 Kitchen Garden program, helping with our Open Mornings, displaying a lot of patience whilst teaching Year 4 children how to knit and dropping a few stitches along the way, and supporting our youngest students to safely participate in their weekly PMP program. Parents have also engaged in the opportunity to support their child’s learning through their attendance at musical soirees or special assemblies, participating in Carey Celebrates Maths morning, ELC Fathers Day activities and supporting their children to dress up as their favourite book character.
Our Junior School community has continued to benefit enormously from the collective efforts of our Junior School Parent Association (JSPA) this term. Our JSPA has hosted several wonderful events this term including, the successful inaugural ‘Leave a Literature Legacy’ parent evening, Fathers Day breakfast and our upcoming end of term sausage sizzle, a student and staff highlight!
The JSPA play a fundamental role in contributing to the development of a strong and vibrant community and by also providing financial and physical support to our Junior School. I would like to acknowledge the generous contributions that the JSPA have made to JSK this term, including the $10k donation to the development of the new prep playground, $2k donation to replenishing classroom sports equipment, $1k donation to classroom library collections and their commitment to purchase and gift a picture story book to all Prep children at their end of year special assembly.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding leadership and support of our outgoing president, Chrissy Margaritis; along with Sarah Broadbent, the past Vice-President; Natalie Bode, Secretary; and Ying Wang, Treasurer. I would also like to acknowledge the following outgoing committee members for their commitment and contribution to the JSPA: Con Eracleous, Ilona Wilson and Jodie Pallot.
If you would like further information or have any queries relating to JSPA, they would be delighted to hear from you: jspa@carey.com.au
I wish all students and families a restful three-week spring break and we look forward to many more shared experiences with our staff, students, and parents in Term 4.
To our wonderful parent community, on behalf of our staff and our students I thank you!
Kylie Baxter
Head of Junior School Kew
