Are you still waiting at the school gate?
A part of our job is to “gather broad parent perspectives” (words taken directly from our contract!) to share with the federal department of education. This year we have been hearing from lots of parents that they are not happy that they have spent so much time outside school gates this school year. They are feeling the impacts of Covid-19 restrictions deeply. So, we want to gather your thoughts and opinions on the rollercoaster that has been schooling for the last few years.
We know there are parents in the early years of schooling that have missed out on forming strong relationships within the school community. Including their child’s teacher, school leaders but also other school families that in normal times would form their school support network. We have heard rites of passage that form a celebration of 13 years of schooling passing without school halls of families dabbing at the corner of their eyes with pride.
We know that school parent bodies have not survived the loss of fundraising opportunities, the ability to recruit new members or the loss of years of experience graduating with their children and no opportunity to pass on this knowledge.
Our survey this year is collecting your experiences on how Covid-19 has impacted your ability to get involved and engaged in your school community. We want to hear about what has changed and how this has impacted you and your family. We encourage you to do the survey and share it with your friends and school community so we can really let the federal government know how the global pandemic is affecting our school communities.
So please jump on the survey and let us know what you think and from there we can all work together to solve some of the issues.
Before I go I just want to give a shout-out to all of the Fete Coordinators and volunteers who are preparing for the Spring Fete Season! After two years of minimal events or even worse preparing for events and having to cancel at the last minute, I wish you well and am wishing you all raging successes! If you are looking for support and like-minded people jump into our APC Fundraisers Facebook group.
Take care,
Jenni Rickard
President
