Did you know how big an impact parents have on a child’s learning? Apparently a lot!
Hundreds of research studies have been undertaken to determine the effectiveness of parental involvement on student learning, and Professor John Hattie meta-analysed the lot. The extent to which families encourage learning at home and involve themselves in their child’s education is quite a good predictor how well a student will do. While there were negative effects when a parent’s involvement took on a ‘surveillance approach’, the greatest positive effect occurred when parents had high expectations for the learning and achievement of their children and when they take a more active approach to learning. We’re talking a 50% improvement over the norm.
Ultimately, the higher the hopes and expectations of parents with respect to the educational attainment of their child, the higher the student’s own educational expectations. “Parents need to hold high expectations for their children and schools need to work in partnership with parents to make their expectations appropriately high and challenging”. (Hattie, 2009, p.70).
How Do I Get Started?
One of the best starting points for getting involved is a parent-teacher interview, a Learning Support Group if you are needed, or our open learning afternoons.
If you have something to offer or just want to help in whatever way you can, talk about it with our teachers. They might arrange something with you personally or direct you to someone who can answer your questions and make suggestions. We are just starting to explore a parent committee.
Here are some of the ways a parent volunteer can help at our Melton campus:
- Listen to our students reading
- Help organise, cater, or work at fundraising activities or special days
- Act as a playground monitor
- Help to chaperone excursions, and other events that take place away from the school
- Assist with a specific club or interest group
- Assist at school sporting/performing arts events
- Offer to help with story time or reading assistance in the school library
- Sew costumes for our presentations
- Help with visual arts, crafts, and projects
- Volunteer to speak in the classroom about your career
- Make posters for up-coming events
Remember that not everyone is suited for the same type of involvement. You may have to ‘try on’ a few activities before you find something that feels right. If you need ideas, ask your child's teacher, who will likely be glad to help you think of something!
When you offer to help, find out how much of a time commitment is desired. Be clear about how much time you're able to volunteer. Start small, any help makes the children feel special. If you help with an activity that takes place off the school grounds, remember you must have your Working with Children’s Check linked to Heathdale Christian College.
Remember that partnering with us not only benefits your child or children; it helps the classroom, the whole school, and the community by giving students positive interaction, support, and encouragement.
I would like to take this opportunity to especially thank Clair Gauci-Burns who put on such a lavish and wonderful spread for the Father’s Day breakfast. This was a roaring success and the dads were very blessed and appreciative. Thank you also to Bree Johns who additionally helped at the Father’s Day stall. This wonderful day was led by parents and was delightful seeing the success of their labour. I wonder what the dads will do next year?!!
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See what it's like to work at our amazing College.