This report provides an outline of a forum held with parents at Soldiers Point Public School (SPPS) 3 June 2015.
Aim
The aim of the forum was to obtain feedback on current communication processes between parents and the school, and suggestions for improvement.
More specifically the forum aimed to hear about:
- what is working well and what areas of communication in the school could be improved
- what parents would like to know more about or would like to be able to let the school know about their child or family
- suggestions on how improvements could be achieved in identified areas.
Outcomes will used by both the School and the P&C to help shape communication within the school community.
Forum
The forum was facilitated by Ruth McLeod, School Improvement and Finance Committee Coordinator with context provided by Simon Parson, SPPS Principal. Five parents and one staff member attended the forum which ran for 90 minutes. Input was also provided by another parent via email prior to the forum.
Participants participated in a series of workshop tasks aimed at gathering their input to achieve improved communication within the school community.
Summary Findings
A broad range of communication modes were identified as working well including the school newsletter and Skoolbag. Participants however also identified that no single communication mode worked well for every family and/or was appropriate for all situations within the school.
Initial focus areas for improvement included:
Kindergarten orientation evening talk
Stage information nights
Hard copy communication materials – branding, consistency and availability.
Agreed next steps included:
Undertaking an evaluation of existing communication tools by the target group they are aimed at (whole of school, stage, class, student)
Confirming the focus areas for improvement and changes required
Helping to achieve changes in 3-4 indentified areas by the end of the year.