Heads of House
Together we are Better!
Parents and teachers hold very different, but equally as powerful, banks of knowledge. Parents are aware of how their child learns best, what might cause them to feel scared or upset or what they need in order to flourish. While teachers have extensive experience and expertise with the different stages of development, having observed these phases in countless students.
Dr Don Edgar (OAM) has been one of Australia’s greatest academic contributors to family law and says, “The purpose of a school is to help a family educate a child.” If that is the case, then the teacher-parent partnership – one of relational and the other of knowledge – should provide the ultimate environment to nurture and guide every student. However, at times our partnership can be fractured and it’s often down to one element - passion.
According to Stade (2022), knowing when to step back and trust the school and when to intervene can be tricky to navigate. Below are some tips:
- When your child is in conflict with another student
It’s really tough when your child is facing friendship challenges. If you ever feel the need to reach out, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s Homeroom Mentor teacher. They see your daughter every day and can offer valuable support to help guide things back on track.
- When your child is in trouble at school
It’s perfectly normal for kids to make mistakes—they’re only human. What’s important is helping them understand that their choices sometimes come with consequences, and there’s always a lesson to be learned from these experiences.
- When your child is continually relying on you instead of learning
It’s completely natural to want to be helpful, but as students reach high school, it’s important for them to start managing their own tasks like homework, assignments, and preparing sports kits. They should also feel confident in reaching out to teachers if they’re unwell or miss a deadline. So, if you often find yourself completing your child’s homework or assignments, it might be a sign that they need a bit more support in developing these skills, and we can work together to help them grow. It’s okay if they occasionally struggle—everyone does and at times it’s important for them to sit with the discomfort in order to grow.
By working in partnership at Mount Alvernia, we forge a powerful alliance dedicated to the same goal: nurturing and empowering students. As Mr. Irving wisely states, "The way to navigate our way forward is to show respect – both ways. We are all in this together and we have a shared opportunity to create the synergy that sparks a child’s passion for learning and life." A crucial aspect of this partnership is for parents to understand when to intervene and when to step aside, giving children the opportunity to cultivate resilience and independence.
Achieving this balance is vital for encouraging self-growth, as it enables students to develop the confidence necessary to face challenges independently. This mutual respect and collaboration foster a dynamic atmosphere where each child's potential can thrive, paving the way for a promising future full of endless opportunities.
The Powerful Relationship That Will Help Shape Your Child’s Future - Wesley College