National Families Week
15 to 21 May 2021
Family & School - How can you support your child?
Next week is National Families Week, which is an opportunity to celebrate the important role that families play in the Australian community, and take meaningful time to be with your family, make contact with your extended family and friends, and share in the enjoyment of family activities within the wider community. It is a time to focus on the meaning of family and to make the most of family life. Started in 2003, this government initiative was designed to address the needs and interests of all families, and especially those experiencing vulnerability or marginalisation.
A close Family-School relationship is highly valued here at JPC, as we see the benefit of strong family support to a child’s development, their ability to participate in learning and their growth into confident adults who can contribute positively to the world.
We know that families come in all shapes and sizes, and the most important aspect is not what the family looks like, but how the family members interact with each other, and how the family’s values and culture are developed, established and expressed.
What is the ‘tone’ of your family?
Does your child feel they belong to something good?
What influences do you allow on your family’s value system?
Does your child know you prioritise their education and support their school?
National Families Week 2021 highlights the important sense of belonging, love and support that children need from their families. John Marsden’s (principal, teacher, author of books for teenagers) book, The Art of Growing Up, outlines the long-term influence parents have on their children, and examines some of the “truths about families that need to be confronted, explored and understood”.
“The impacts of parents and school (on children) are so vast and far reaching that I cannot think of any person I’ve known in my life who has been able to completely reverse those effects….
A person who grew up in a home established by a parent or parents with good values, emotional intelligence and a healthy liking for children and adolescents, and who went to a school staffed by wise, thoughtful, mature teachers, may replicate these behaviours when they themselves become responsible for children or adolescents…….”
(Marsden, J., 2019, The Art of Growing Up, Macmillan Australia)
What can parents do to nurture a great family culture?
There are many events in which to take part (https://nfw.org.au/get-involved/). You can organise an activity, contact extended family, catch up with other families or just make some time to spend with your own loved ones.
Jesus said “Love one another other as I have loved you” (John, 13:34). The family is a great place to bring this message to life.
READ The Art of Growing Up, John Marsden’s book!
And in the meantime, here are 10 top tips from National Families Week that you can do with your family to build a stronger family unit.
Mrs Jennifer Tually and Mr Julian Drake-Brockman
Leaders of Learning and Wellbeing, Ferré House