Ready for Life, Ready for Success
Artefact 1
Annotation
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The artefacts are one of the information flyers for parents and one of the post session learning overviews. Why: Ready for Life, Ready for Success – Kindergarten Connection Program? This program was chosen by Chatswood Public School as part of the Ready for Life, Ready for Success initiative being funded by Department of Health and FACS to assist to alleviate high parental pressure for academic performance to the detriment of other areas of growth and wellbeing and improve mental health outcomes for children. The purpose of the program is to engage parents with their child and the school and assist them to learn about the importance of play in learning and child development. The Kindergarten Connections Program is being followed up with a Parent Engagement Program as part of the overall Kindergarten Connections Program. How: did the Kindergarten Connections Program occur in our school? 5 Kindergarten classes were chosen in for term 1 with the other 6 classes being chosen to participate in the program in term 2. Chatswood Public School staff have been actively involved in facilitating this to occur including liaising and supporting the participation of parents and students and liaising and supporting facilitators within each of the Kindergarten Connections sessions. What: is their benefit? Parent and carer links with the school are increasing along with increasing practical parental knowledge and skill around how to incorporate play in learning and its importance. When: is it important to have the Kindergarten Connections program? For the biggest possible benefit the Kindergarten Connections program should be run during the early part of the Kindergarten student’s schooling so parents can incorporate more play in learning and day to day activities with their child thus increasing student wellbeing as soon as possible.
The Significant Impact
The artefacts show parents being invited to be engaged with the school and their child’s learning. It demonstrates Chatswood Public School’s commitment to the lifelong wellbeing of its students. The artefacts demonstrate our commitment to lifelong learning and to building positive relationships with the school and positive professional relationships. These artefacts show the variety of activities that were used to demonstrate the importance of play in children’s learning.
Artefact 2
Analysis
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In our self-assessment process the leadership team analysed a range of evidence to support our judgement.
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SEF Connections
Learning Element
Learning Culture - Excelling
Positive, respectful relationships are being fostered between students, parents, school staff and Ready for Life, Ready for Success staff. This program demonstrates Chatswood Public Schools commitment to strengthen current learning practice across the school community. Student wellbeing is being promoted thus assisting in ensuring good conditions for learning.
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Curriculum and Learning - Sustaining and Growing
Learning is enhanced by this alliance between Chatswood Public School and Ready for Life, Ready for Success.
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Wellbeing - Sustaining and Growing
Students and parents are provided with opportunities throughout the program to connect, succeed and thrive at their stage of learning and development. This program creates a positive teaching and learning environment within and beyond the school, including the home setting.
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Assessment and Reporting - Sustaining and Growing
Data was collected and analysed by Department of Health and FACS. This data was used to direct funding to the Ready for Life, Ready for Success initiative which included our school in being targeted to have the programs run here to support our students.
Teaching Element
Effective Classroom Practice - Sustaining and Growing
Parents being more involved in their child’s learning and increasing play with their children in learning has and continues to be demonstrated worldwide as one of the most effective methods of increasing student learning. This program demonstrates that we are using effective strategies to increase student learning.
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Collaborative Practice - Sustaining and Growing
The school has identified expertise within its staff to liaise with Non Department of Education service providers and facilitate the implementation of programs to benefit the lifelong learning of students and the school community.
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Professional Standards - Sustaining and Growing
Teachers are working beyond their classrooms to contribute to the Ready for Life, Ready for Success – Kindergarten Connections program.
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Leading Element
Leadership - Sustaining and Growing
The school has addressed and is addressing needs of students identified by Department of health and FACS through this program.
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School Planning, Implementation and Reporting - Sustaining and Growing
Parental participation in the Kindergarten Connections program reflects their support of school expectations and aspirations for improving student learning across the school community.
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Management Practices and Processes - Sustaining and Growing
The school and particularly the Kindergarten teachers have been flexible to allow the Kindergarten Connections program to occur within their classrooms and teaching and learning time. Parents who attend this program are given the opportunity to give both informal and formal, written, feedback.
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Please check the link below re: School Excellence Framework