. Parent and family engagement: and family Parent children’s learning, particularly learning, out of , children’s in school behaviour increases, attendance go up rates return homework improves, tends achievement children’s overall, and, in school more achieve Children improve. to when their families engage in activities such asking questions, thoughtful as reading, need to the structure children and providing complete assignments.” (2020). & Harris, D. B., Barker, An guide for school communities implementation Canberra: ARACY. “Fifty years of research tells us that parent parent us that tells of research years “Fifty a learning makes in children’s engagement engage with their When parents difference. ‘boarding parent champions’. parent ‘boarding was overwhelmingly received feedback The night-time regular led to and has now positive mums and dads boarding online gatherings where connect virtually setting with a glass of in a group wine in hand. www.parentsnetwork.qld.edu.au Tapping into expert advice Ipswich take up to part signed in Research in Independent ’s them which gave in 2020/2021, Schools program to expert on and how focus guidance in what to their goals. achieve added receives in Schools program Research The Network.funding support the QIS Parents from organised parents for boarding ‘event’ first trial Their in 2020 was a virtual morning A cookie tea. with an parents all boarding out to was posted longer-term join online and hear from to invitation the school dubs their – a group parents boarding long-term boarding families who have so much families who have long-term boarding knowledge and support offer.’’ to “Our boarders represent ten percent of our student percent ten represent “Our boarders been a highly valued always population and have part of our community. engage with new boarders’ better “We to wanted deeper connections and help them create parents with each other and with our – with school staff, “We in 2020 that the majority realised of the work on the do connectingwe with families was focused ability on parents’ and relies boys ‘day’ of parents at school,’’ present or be physically events attend to of Marketing Director Ipswich Grammar School’s and Community Erin Sorrensen says. school was particularly conscious of needing to help establish meaningful connections with the wider Ipswich Grammar School community. Pivoting and improving But when the global COVID pandemic hit in 2020 pandemic But when the global COVID usual face-to-face the school’s and put an end to re-think to the school was forced parents, for events in the connecting to with parents its approach community. boarding the cohort families were the boarding newest The As one of ’s oldest independent oldest independent one of Australia’s As established School, Ipswich Grammar schools, historyin 1863, has a proud – and plenty of with relationships in building great experience its families. Overcoming Distance and Gaining Trust: How One Overcoming Distance its Remote Parents Closer Brought IPSWICH GRAMMAR SCHOOL

PARENT ENGAGEMENT Case Study

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www.parentsnetwork.qld.edu.au

achievement and wellbeing. achievement Visit on the research information more for “parent that underpins the importance of and its impactstudent on engagement” parent engagement are invited to contact to invited are engagement parent Relations) Director (Strategic Shari Armistead, Network: QIS Parents Chair and Board [email protected] Regular pictures School of Ipswich boarders Grammar bring Instagram, on shared Broxy, puppy with resident school life. boarding their sons’ closer to parents PROJECTS IN SCHOOLS ENGAGEMENT PARENT area in a critical focus engagement Parent and is enshrined in the Australian schools for Principals for Standards Professional and . and Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) the Queensland Independent Schools Parents joined forces have Network) Parents (QIS Network and community parent and enhance elevate to schools. in independent engagement would schools that Queensland independent parent apply for to on how information more like projectengagement should contact funding Services Education Advisor Horrobin, Natalie & Learning): (Teaching [email protected] with ISQ and work to want Schools that prioritise to Network the QIS Parents Welcoming ‘Broxy’ By most popular member of the boarding far the who puppy Collie community – a Border is Broxy early house in 2021 and the boarding into moved Instagramhas his own account. regular pets at home, have most boarders As another create with Broxy pictures of the boys heart-warming link between home and school. “Those another conversation parents give pictures starter when they next their son about speak to says. Carol what has been happening at school,’’ anything brought down to the school?’. “I think the school?’. to down brought anything the fact happening now those connections are of success: is a sign authentically and organically and with the tools our parents provided we’ve they’ve run with it.’’ Atherton (in far north of that Queensland). Photos were student fishing and camping with the family group. the Facebook to then posted families saying posts from also regular “There’s visit, a Ipswich driving to down for ‘I’m things like who needs West out else from anyone is there from the project. from “When students some of our international boarding “all says, Carol COVID,” home due to get couldn’t to a sense of responsibility felt parents boarding China for them. One of our students from for care homes in one of our family’s to example was invited have been up to in their free time. They are also are They time. in their free been up to have questions rather than ask each other to beginning Director.’’ the Boarding directing them to Parents looking out for each other other good news stories flowing many are There parents are sharing experiences are at home and parents are Posts asking advice and hints. each other for of and sharing the life also generating conversation says. Carol an IGS Boarder,’’ “The starters conversation when have now parents of what they call home and an awareness the boys But more powerfulBut more also being connections are as established between and school staff, families as between newwell and experienced boarding parents which is in turn boarding bringing parents, house life. school and boarding sons’ their closer to interactions that “We Facebook the can see from It’s a forum for boarding parents to discuss to parents boarding for a forum It’s supporteverything to strategies with boys from homesickness, how practical to discussions around formals for get students organised remotely to Community Development says and graduations, Levinge. Manager Carol for parents boarding for group Facebook a closed a result, As the school by and moderated – created parents communication channel – has been another to flourish. Multiple communication channels Multiple communication Case Study