Parent Partnerships

Working Together for the kids! 

On Wednesday night at the Parent Information Evening, we spoke about the importance of strong parent partnerships within our school community. Our shared goal is simple but powerful: ensuring students feel safe, are learning well, and are developing resilience and strong wellbeing.

Some key points from our discussion included:

• Working together: When parents and staff collaborate, we create a consistent, supportive environment for students to thrive.
• Open and respectful communication: Our doors are always open. We welcome honest conversations, but always in a respectful way that values everyone’s perspective.
• Staff wellbeing: Teachers need time to disconnect and recharge. Longer emails outside school hours are best replaced with short messages requesting a meeting or conversation during working hours - or a phone call.
• Positive parent involvement: Students notice when their parents are positively engaged with the school. Attending events, talking with staff, and interacting with other parents all help strengthen our school community.
• Building community and belonging: Seeing parents connect with staff and each other fosters a sense of belonging, not only for students but for families as well.
• Consistency and modelling: By working in partnership with staff and showing respect for school processes, parents model positive behaviours that students can emulate in their own learning and relationships. Issues and concerns are normal in life, and we want our kids to see the adults deal with situations calmly and respectfully.
• Being proactive: If concerns arise, bring them early and constructively, rather than letting issues grow. This helps everyone find solutions quickly and collaboratively.

We are incredibly grateful for our school community. The way families support the school, staff, and each other is what makes St Mary’s such a special place. Together, we can continue to ensure our students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.