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From My School to Our School Engaging Families and Communities for Student Success

From My School to Our School Engaging Families and Communities for Student Success Killester College: A Case Study. Building Social Capital.

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From My School to Our School Engaging Families and Communities for Student Success

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  1. From My School to Our School • Engaging Families and Communities for Student Success • Killester College: A Case Study

  2. Building Social Capital • Field (2003) defines it in the following terms: The theory of social capital is that relationships matter. (How).. By making connections with one another, and keeping them going over time. • George Otero speaks strongly on the theme of Relational Learning • http://relationalearning.com • Robert Putnam - Better Together • The heart of our work is one on one with people-it’s about building relationships, it is not about meetings-it’s about conversations.

  3. Research suggests... • Bryk et al 2010 from the Chicago study states: • “the quality of the social relationships within a school is a core resource for improvement.” • “schools are four times more likely to improve in reading and 10 times more likely to improve in mathematics when parent involvement was strong.”

  4. 3 Lessons Learned • It’s OK to make mistakes - we are all learning • In a successful partnership between school and home, school will probably learn more and benefit more than home. • Progress will be slow and it requires a consistent, a persistent and a steady strategy

  5. 2 Non Negotiables • If you are wishing to build Social Capital, to build connections there are two non-negotiables: • Connection points need to be meaningful and not tokenistic • there must be a preparedness by all to remain diligent and committed to achieving the goal of more meaningful connections

  6. Our School - a Snapshot • Student Numbers - 880 • All Girls Secondary College • Catholic School • Multi-faith, Multi-Cultural • 37% of Families state that English is the spoken language • One of the lowest SES schools in the Archdiocese

  7. A Snapshot Continued • Families - 775 • 182 Families - Vietnamese • 84 Families - Cambodian • 61 Families - Indian • 40 Families - Sri Lanka • 18 Families - China • 17 Families - Phillipines • 15 Families - African

  8. National Smarter School Partnerships • In 2010 we were informed that we were eligible for funding under the NSSP program • Killester one of only four Secondary Catholic schools. • Funding was threefold • Literacy • Numeracy • Family School Partnerships

  9. The Triggers • FSP Initiative • Study tour to USA in September 2010 • Opening of the Family Learning Centre • Appointment Of Sue Brown, FSP Convenor • Appointment of FLC Co-ordinator, Roger Van Langenberg • Development of a core working team

  10. The Journey • Researched our Cultural Mix • Sought feedback from parents about needs • Researched current Family Connection Programs • Looked to develop partnerships with external agencies interested in delivering Parent Workshops. • Limited Success • Decision made to link into Culturally Specific groups. • African and Vietnamese

  11. The Cornerstone • Developed a program called Community Conversations • George worked as: • Consultant/Mentor • Leader • Critical Friend

  12. Community Conversations • Decision made to work with the following “most disengaged and at risk” Cultural Groups: • Sudanese/African • Vietnamese • Cambodian • Chinese

  13. Aims of the Program • To inform and empower parents that: • Education is a partnership between school and families • Families provide essential support to student success • School and Family Partnerships at Killester are a priority • Two way communication with families is the ultimate outcome

  14. A Taste

  15. Examples of theProgram • Listing the Aspirations of their daughters • Listing the Expectations of Killester in attempting to meet these aspirations • Identifying key questions that parents want answered about the Australian Schooling System. • Identifying key questions about Killester College protocols and procedures

  16. Learnings • Parents are very keen to be partners in their daughter’s education. • Language and Education levels of parents are enormous barriers to communication • Understanding of School Culture and Mission is a challenging message to share • Understanding of school protocols/practices are very difficult to understand

  17. Progress to date: • Greater understanding of the Cultural background of our families by staff • Discipline issues are easier to manage as relationships grow • Relationships on an anecdotal level are developing between school and families

  18. From Little Things .... • Partnership with AMES • Conversational Classes for Adults • Computer Classes for Adults (with Student Tutors) • Four Vietnamese mothers have joined the Parents and Friends committee in 2013

  19. Our FLC in Action

  20. A word from ourParents

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