College Family Connect
It has been a big year for our College Family Connect parent group, with meetings each term, a range of guest speakers, and the open sharing of information, feedback and resources.
College Family Connect was established as a means to develop a collaborative and cooperative College community where parents and carers are recognised as authentic partners, with teachers and the administration, in the education of their children.
Parent and family engagement is a key factor in a child's success at school and when parents engage in a child's learning there are many positive outcomes including improvements in achievement, attendance and behaviour.
College Family Connect works to improve engagement, and the meetings are a forum by which parents, carers and other community members can connect with the Principal, teachers, other parents, and community members to:
- Develop a community spirit;
- Support and work in partnership with the Principal and teachers;
- Participate in decision-making;
- Promote interaction between home and College, parents and teachers;
- Encourage parent participation in teaching and learning activities and College life;
- Promote the College in the wider community;
- Create a forum for discussion; and
- Assist in providing resources to the College where necessary.
Meetings are held each term and there are no formal positions and no on-going commitment is required!
2023 Parent Information Sessions supported by College Family Connect
We acknowledge the support of College Family Connect members in identifying areas where parents require more information and resources. In response to feedback received through College Family Connect, a range of speakers was organised this year including:
Term 1: Acting Principal Simon Vaughan presented on Relationships Education.
Term 2: Real Schools (postponed due to the presenter being unwell).
Term 3: Real Schools, with expert educator Cassie Kitani.
Term 4: Madonna King, journalist and author of a range of books relevant to parenting tweens and teens. We also thank Catholic School Parents Queensland for their support in bringing Madonna to Mareeba!
In Term 3 Collective Shout also visited to present a talk to parents, which was kindly supported by Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns.
We received some great feedback from those who attended these sessions, with most reporting to have learnt new strategies that can be applied at home to help with parenting and supporting young people.
Projects supported by College Family Connect
- Additional lockers
- Additional outdoor seating
- Sanitary product dispensers for students
- SchoolTV
- Madonna King
- Additional water coolers
Get involved in College Family Connect in 2024!
We welcome all members of our College community to come along to our meetings and parent engagement sessions. Upcoming events will be advertised in advance through our usual communication channels.