Engaging parents/carers

The teacher outlines the importance of engaging for parents/carers in her school and demonstrates how this can be achieved responsively and respectfully. In a formally scheduled parent/carer interview, she reports clearly and accurately about a student’s progress and uses work samples to demonstrate the student’s development within her teaching program. Informal interactions with parents/carers who are visiting the class regularly, or who are involved in teaching activities, have developed through her willingness to identify, initiate and build on opportunities to engage parents/carers in their child’s learning.

Ross Park is the oldest government primary school in Alice Springs. It has almost 400 students of which 25 per cent are Indigenous. The teacher has been at the school for four years. She currently teaches a Transition/year 1 class. She recognizes the importance of parent/carer engagement due to the somewhat transient nature of Alice Springs’ and thus the school’s population. Previously she has found it challenging to engage with parents/carers, and community members, but this year she has included it as part of her teaching goals.