Tending to the Community Garden

Bees and their hives often symbolise highly efficient workplaces, and schools fit snugly into that analogy. But let's expand beyond just the hive itself and think about the lush gardens and vibrant wildflowers that sustain it. In the buzzing world of education, parents, carers, and broader communities serve as those nurturing gardens, providing essential sustenance and endurance to students and our schools. 

The Queensland Department of Education highlights in their Parent and Community Engagement (PaCE) Framework that students spend about 13% of their time in school each year, leaving a whopping 87% spent elsewhere. That's a significant chunk of time outside of the controlled environment of the hive, and during these pivotal schooling years, every hour of the day, every week, and every year is an opportunity for parents, families, and communities to influence and guide students' learning journeys. And it doesn't have to be complicated or costly; simple interactions and actions can have a resounding impact.

These school-community partnerships aren't just some optional add-ons; they're recognised as a crucial aspect within the National School Improvement Tool (NSIT), which helps schools across Australia evaluate and contemplate their efforts to enhance teaching and learning experiences, based on dedicated research. The research nectar has been collected, and now schools have this incredible opportunity to take these recommendations and get imaginative in ramping up their connections with parents and the community.

Research from the Queensland Department of Education emphasises that these connections matter. When schools actively engage with families and the community, it's like adding rocket fuel to students' academic performance and overall wellbeing. Schools and their surrounding communities come in many different shapes and forms, so inter-community engagement can’t work in a one-hive-fits-all approach; schools must discover what works best for their unique community ecosystem. Keep reading for some ideas to spark creative ideas for deeper connections.

The Parent and Community Engagement Framework, initially crafted for Queensland State Schools, holds relevance across the whole of Australia, leveraging contemporary evidence and best practices to offer a blueprint that empowers schools nationwide to bolster their involvement with parents and the community.

Tending to Parent Engagement

Fun fact: Did you know that some bee species sleep away from the hive, and sometimes even inside flowers?! Like these cute bees, most students rest and recuperate from the school day in their homes, with parents or carers keeping them safe and nourished.

Parents and carers play a pivotal role in shaping their children's educational journey right from the start. You've probably heard the famous saying, "Parents are a child's first teacher," and it's true; they set the stage for lifelong learning, providing both direct instruction and environmental guidance. Even as children step into the school environment, this role doesn't diminish; rather, it continues to evolve and remains crucial.

Think about it: parents and carers are the first point of contact for homework help, assignment support, and even emotional reassurance. When students face challenges like bullying, it's often their family members they turn to for comfort. That's why it's vital for parents and carers to remain engaged in their child's learning journey even as they enter the school system. As the PaCE Framework puts it, "Parent engagement goes beyond 'parent involvement' at school. Parent engagement directly benefits a child's learning at school and at home."

So, how can schools bridge the gap and foster deeper connections with parents and carers? One key step is to break down communication barriers and create avenues for seamless interaction. Investing in modern communication platforms that update parents on important information directly through mobile apps, can be a game-changer. Tools like the Learning Analytics Suite can be configured to share student activity, performance, and wellbeing with parents to give a holistic view of how their child is doing and maintain involvement in their educational journey.

However, having the infrastructure is just the beginning; schools need to encourage parents to actively use these tools. Hosting informational sessions or workshops can help familiarise parents with the platform and address any queries or concerns they may have. For those unable to attend in person, webinars or virtual guides offer flexible alternatives, ensuring that every parent feels empowered to engage with their child's education.

Moreover, enhanced communication doesn't just benefit students at home; it also fosters trust and collaboration within the school community. When parents are kept in the loop about their child's progress and school activities, they feel more connected and invested in the school's mission.

The National School Improvement Tool (NSIT) underscores the importance of meaningful parent engagement, emphasising regular communication between teachers, the school, and parents or carers. This proactive approach ensures that every parent feels valued and informed about their child's educational journey.

But what about parents of students living in border areas or those situated far from the school? Virtual communication tools become even more critical in these scenarios, enabling seamless engagement regardless of geographical constraints. Remote parents, and those who are actively unengaged are going to pose more challenges than their local counterparts, but the extra effort it takes to engage with these parents is worthwhile for their child, and the school.

Ultimately, strong parent partnerships pave the way for holistic student development. By actively involving parents in their child's education, schools not only enhance learning outcomes but also foster a sense of community and support. So, let's embrace modern communication channels and empower parents to be active participants in their child's educational journey.

Strengthening Community Roots

As we've seen, parents and carers play a significant role in their child's education, providing essential support and guidance along the way. Now, let's expand our perspective and consider the broader community surrounding schools. Just as parents contribute to a child's educational journey, local communities also offer invaluable resources and support. So, let's explore how schools can forge strong connections with their local communities to foster even greater success for students.

Our schools are incredibly resourceful hubs catering to ever-evolving educational demands, but it’s close to impossible to cover all bases for each student in a cohort of hundreds, even thousands. The areas we fall short can be the first that we can aim to remedy with the resources in the communities surrounding our schools.

As we delve into the realm of community engagement, it's essential to recognise the diverse array of stakeholders that make up the tapestry of our local neighbourhoods. Beyond parents and caregivers, schools are surrounded by sister schools, local businesses, sports teams, art clubs, charities, and so many more types of organisations that contribute to the vibrant fabric of local communities.

So, how can schools tap into this rich resource? The key lies in fostering meaningful connections and collaborations. Imagine the insights and opportunities that await when every member of your school staff actively engages with the wider community. By pooling efforts and reaching out to these different faces within the community, you can gain a deeper understanding of student behaviours outside of campus and unearth potential partnerships that benefit everyone involved.

These connections extend far beyond the walls of the school; they're about building bridges that span across neighbourhoods, industries, and interests. Through effective collaboration, schools can leverage the unique knowledge, expertise, and perspectives offered by community members and organisations to enhance student well-being and make learning more authentic and connected.

But it's not just about what schools can gain from these partnerships; it's also about what schools can give back to their communities. Schools serve as central hubs within their neighbourhoods, and by working together with other community members and organisations, they can address issues external to the school and better support students' overall wellbeing.

So, let's consider some key questions: What are the strengths and characteristics of your community? How can the community support the school in areas like work experience, volunteering, and cultural engagement? Where can key players in the community benefit from engaging with the school on a deeper level, and where in the community are students already spending their time, and how are they spending it?

These are the conversations that fuel genuine collaboration and pave the way for innovative models of education and training. By aligning your schools’ efforts with guidance from PaCE and NSIT, you can identify and build community partnerships, plan collaboration effectively, and ensure clarity around partner roles and responsibilities. Together with their communities of parents and organisations in our local area, schools can create a harmonious ecosystem with nourished connections from outside school boundaries and pollinate for the future of our schools in their wider community.