Principal Reflections

A Short Message from Dr Jake

Dear Parents & Friends,              

Term Three Progress Meetings

We are at that important time of the semester where we want to catch up with parents to discuss the learning progress of the students. For many parents, this parent-teacher interview provides a golden opportunity for them to get face-to-face feedback from teachers about their child's progress; what they are doing well and what needs to be worked on. Unfortunately, many parents leave the parent-teacher session frustrated. As one parent confessed:  'Although I appreciated the chance to meet the teacher, I don't feel that I have found out what I really wanted to know'.

The following list was compiled by a group of parents who felt they could get more from interviews if teachers were more aware of parent needs....

• Did you begin by telling me something good about my child?
• Did you ask me things about my child and our family?
• Did you accept me as a person... a busy working mother, a father with a large family, a single parent...?
• Did you encourage me to ask you some questions?
• Did you answer my questions in language I could understand?
• Did you explain the exact meaning of general terms such as 'lacks concentration', 'working well in science', 'could put more effort into class work'?
• Did you give me detailed information, with some examples, of the academic progress of my child?
• Did you suggest some practical ideas that I could use with my child?
• Did you suggest we meet on another occasion, perhaps with a group of other parents, to find out more about how I can help my child learn?
• Did you leave me with the feeling that I could come again and feel welcome?

Do these questions resonate with you?  

St Edward's is serious about learning and we believe in parent/teacher partnerships that work towards supporting your child's learning. You will receive a "progress" report, a type of record of the meeting with points that you can follow up on later. Since our primary goal is to ensure each of our children learn, the essential task is to clearly demonstrate to parents how their child has benefited from being in our classrooms.

Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us as we are only too happy to help.

Peace & Best Wishes

Dr Jake Madden

(Principal, St Edward's Primary School)