Greg Whitby column: ‘As you send kids off to school, I ask you to remember one thing’
THERE is one thing Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta executive Greg Whitby asks parents to remember when they send their children off to school.
Parramatta
Don't miss out on the headlines from Parramatta . Followed categories will be added to My News.
FOR most parents, the practical side of schooling begins very early in January with the back-to-school sales.
This is the time when conversations about schooling are dominated by the “traditional” requirements we tend to associate with quality schooling. Things such as new school bags, shoes, uniforms, lunch boxes, books and even laptops. While these may be viewed as important, when you ask parents what they want from schools, these surprisingly do not rate highly.
It’s a given that we want all students to end the school year having gained more knowledge, greater skills and academic, sporting or personal success. However, the reality is that, for most parents, knowing that their children are happy, supported and challenged in good ways matters most.
They want them to make good friends who help deal with the highs and lows of school and life. They want them to thrive. Parents also want schools to create a strong sense of community so that every child, no matter where they come from or who they are, feels valued.
Strong links are the bedrock of a good school community. As parents send their children off to school for the first week of term, I ask them to remember that they are first and foremost the primary educators of their children.
The values you demonstrate are the values they learn. The attitudes you have towards overcoming difficult tasks, working with others and accomplishing goals are the attitudes they are most likely to adopt for themselves.
No one is happier about kids going back to school than dad
My experience as a parent and someone involved in education for the past four decades is that the best way you can support your child’s education is to remain interested and involved in what they are learning.
Not every day at school will be great, but if as parents you can engage with your children and support them by modelling healthy values and attitudes towards life and learning, it will be of more value in the long run than ensuring their books have been covered and labelled.