Family Engagement
Parent Helpers
Parents are invited to participate in the Classroom Helpers program, to assist in classrooms and to accompany students on excursions. Each year we run a Parent Helper Course, designed to prepare parents to work under the guidance of the classroom teacher in order to support small groups of students during the Literacy Block. All volunteers are required to have a current Working With Children card and sign a Volunteer’s agreement, in line with the school’s Child Safety Policy.
Class Dojo
Class Dojo is a secure app and web-based platform, through which teachers and students can share share learning, highlights and reflections from the classroom with parents. Class Dojo shares in real-time what’s happening in the classroom, and prompting relevant discussion at home. It provides students with ownership over their learning, and helps equip them with the skills required for the digital age.
Parent Seminars and Workshops
St. Mary’s provides seminars and workshops each term, to engage parents in various learning programs in the school. These evenings can take the form of a seminar presented by St. Mary’s Staff or guest speakers, or be a workshop where parents and children come together to engage in learning experiences. These sessions provide parents with opportunities to discover more about learning at St. Mary’s and to walk away with useful tips and resources to assist them in supporting their child at home. Topics across the year may include social-emotional learning, cybersafety, numeracy, literacy and faith education.