The aim of the Parents’ Program is to support parents in their most important task – parenting. The program provides an avenue for the discussion of issues that arise at home and at school and for sharing experiences with like-minded parents. The program also aims to help parents reflect on their own personal development.
The Parents’ Program commences with a Combined Parents’ Meeting (where all the parents meet together) on a Friday early in first term. Parents choose a time which suits them best to attend the regular small group meetings. Parents are then required to attend consistently at the same time each week.
The school provides care for children (prep age and upwards) during these meetings. Approximately once each term, a Combined Parents’ Meeting is held. From time to time, guest presenters will be invited to address parents to share their understanding of relevant issues. This may occur through Combined Parents’ meetings, seminars or workshops.
Parents also assist in caring for the grounds and buildings through working bees and participate in preparing cooked meals which are served to the children twice each week.
SOTE relies on voluntary support to maintain and run many elements of our program. Parents are invited to help wherever possible with activities such as:
They say it takes a village to raise a child and at SOTE, we do just that.
Throughout our parent engagement program, parents, teachers and children become part of a living and evolving community in which they all play a vital role. This helps to build a level of cohesion, a sense of shared values, open communication and a level of positive interdependence. Children feel safer and more connected to their peers, while parents benefit from deeper relationships with other parents on similar paths.
