LiSC Journal: 09/08/2012: Pre-round meeting with Liz (Student Wellbeing Coordinator) and Leonie (Vice-Principal)

critical reflections Uni: Community engagement benefits: SJB: School has many projects to engage school community. Parents room Maths/Sports nights Classroom helpers Fundraising Potty co. Experiential learning Practical applications Connectedness with communities Reflective practice Communication and organisation Research

insights gained Uni: We need to seek ways to connect the disconnected and marginalised.

SJB: Different projects appeal to different people, need a wide variety of engagement to attract a wider variety of people.

analyse Uni: Active Partnerships Not passive, parents, students and community members must contribute along with the staff and school.

responses Uni: Use reflection to shape thinking and to work out whether a particular course of action will reach the desired end. Focus on the community, determining their needs and find a project that suits.

SJB: Need to incorporate students, PSTs, teachers, leadership team, organisations into project, or investigate one element. SJB: Variety of parents, many projects with local community have never gotten off the ground due to lack of interest, Eg. Cooking classes and nature belt.

LiSC Journal: 15/08/2012-16/08/2012: Surveys and flyers created with assistance from school leadership team.

critical reflections Uni: Parental engagement as opposed to parental involvement

insights gained Uni: Outward facing school communities Partnerships involving schools, families, communities and church

SJB: Grandparents day coming up, to utilise their skills and have them engage by teaching the next generation a little about plants and gardening SJB:

analyse Uni: Social capital safety net through individuals connections to others. Need social capital for resilience.

responses Uni: School-family community partnerships.

SJB: Outward facing schools

SJB: Parents room allows community members to stop in and talk and get to know one another and share issues or concerns. Safe place and allows people to develop relationship creating social capital.

Schools as core social centres similar but opposites. Schools as a reflection of their community and schools as a hub to develop community members skills and education.

LiSC Journal: 22/08/2012 23/08/2012: Analysis of the few surveys returned, blog generated based on parents need to be more involved in school life, but lack of time. Grandparents day at school, explained blog and assistance for those who needed. Flyers distributed.

critical reflections Uni: Alternative educational experience, utilise parents and community members skills and background.

insights gained Uni: All parents have something to bring to the school community. They have invaluable non-school based skills.

SJB: Sustainability is biggest issue, need someone to oversee and moderate.

SJB: Blog requirements, sustainability? Create IT group from senior students. Knowledge of Blog existence advertising! Posters, artwork, student work. QR CODE! Flyers.

analyse Uni: Working in partnerships is important to ensure all needs are met.

responses Uni: Greater participation at school through relationships with community and community groups.

SJB: Working with local council and other local schools (the Basin). Working with fundraising groups. Attempted efforts to engage elderly citizens (retirement home), didnt work out.

Pride Belonging Unity.

SJB: Require support to use blogs, especially staff in setting them up.

LiSC Journal: 05/09/2012 06/09/2012: Meeting regarding moderation and safeguarding against misuse of information communications technology, commencement of blog email address. Lets talk about maths night! LiSC Journal: 12/09/2012 13/09/2012: St Josephs maths night engaging parents with technology and explaining use of blog and the value of online communications tools. Flyers distributed.

critical reflections Uni: Ascertaining needs of community Social connections Lessons need to be planned with not just the child in mind. What role can parents play? How about social context? Plan for engagement rather than involvement.

insights gained Uni: Learning and building ownership Extending beyond schooling Capabilities of staff Interest of people and school.

SJB: Observational survey insights about the use of blog as a literacy exercise for students, parents billed as aiding their

SJB: Parents involved where possible, but what about wider community?

education, greater involvement and engagement. Connect to global community,

analyse Uni: Partnerships Community before school, schools are response to pre-existing community. Need to understand student and community contexts.

responses Uni: Relationships and dynamics vary community to community. Culture clash, some people need help to adjust.

SJB: SJB: Community is not necessarily immediate, often cannot come into the school groups minimal effort made to engage families. Not many international or migrant families, predominantly native speaking. School has nickname in community which is causing problems, hoping blog may disperse rumours.