Lord God, bless all the members of our family. You know us all so well and love us all. We ask that you cover us with a rainbow of hope.

Hope that draws us together to work out our differences.

Hope that helps us to celebrate together and care for one another.

Hope that rides like a banner in our lives and watches over us wherever we go.

Hope that overcomes adversity and gathers strength to overcome.

Hope that guides us and gives us vision for our future alone and together.

Hope filled with love.

Hope that fuels faith.

Hope that breathes peace.

May our family live in you

Underneath your promises.

- Author Unknown

What is the role of families in Catholic school communities?

The three major contexts in which children learn are: the family, the school and the community. Families are the first educators of their children. From the moment of welcoming a new life into the family, parents take on the responsibility of raising, nurturing and educating their child. This extends to every aspect of the development.

When the child moves beyond the earliest years, families are joined by a school on their child’s learning journey. This is when a long-term partnership between home and school begins. In choosing a Catholic school, parents enter a partnership with the school in which there is shared privilege and responsibility for the child’s faith formation, learning and wellbeing. Families have chosen a school community where learning is underpinned by the teachings of Jesus, where the quality of the education matches their aspirations for their child, and one where their child is enabled to be a ‘beacon of goodness, integrity and justice’ in the world (Pope Francis 2014). Families have chosen a partner to help them achieve the highest outcomes possible for their child– a partner to support them in their role as primary nurturers of their child’s formation to adulthood. It is a journey undertaken in partnership in which the child is held at the centre.

Optimising the life chances of students is at the heart of the Catholic school’s mandate. When Catholic schools and families work together for the formation of all children, the school community is strengthened, and the whole of society benefits as a sense of ownership and belonging to community grows for children and young people, and for their families (Bryk et al. 2010).

School leaders, teachers and families are pivotal in fostering the wellbeing and learning of children and young people. Together they strengthen students’ ability to navigate the breadth of experiences they will face in their environment and relationships.

Catholic schools engage families and communities through a partnerships approach where:

Leaders, staff and families work collaboratively to create and strengthen safe, child friendly environments for learning
Relationships with families are actively fostered and sustained to support students to thrive in learning and life
Families and teachers are mentors and partners in their children’s learning journey
Families, teachers and other significant adults play complementary roles that contribute to the spiritual, emotional, social and cognitive development of the whole child.

Family and community engagement has the greatest impact when:

parents and carers are valued and engaged as co-educators of their children;
the whole school community works strategically toward shared goals
building relationships is central to the educational approach of the school and is focused on student progress, skills and motivation for learning.

Parents/Families are always welcome at Resurrection School. We welcome, and are grateful for, parents/family members who can assist with:

Literacy in the classroom
Let’s Read/Learn Program
Farm 2 Table
Canteen
Excursions
Covering of library and class books
Sports days, swimming program
Attendance at Working Bees
Any other area of expertise (Please let us know)
Maintenance of the productive vegetable garden

Resurrection is a school that welcomes all and celebrates diversity. We encourage the broader community, especially families, to gather and join in the numerous events and celebrations held throughout the year. We encourage family engagement in many ways and value the partnership between home and school which fosters students’ progress, well-being and love of learning, including: family events, assemblies, celebrations of learning, Learning in Partnership meetings (LIPs), Masses and liturgies, joining the School Advisory Council (SAC).

Jane Dunstone

PRINCIPAL

Year 2 News