A new Charter around Family Engagement with schools has been released today to coincide with the Council of Government Schools Organisation (NT COGSO) Annual Full Council Meeting this morning.
The Charter is designed to underpin the relationship and expectations of how schools and families can partner in a child’s education.
It is one part of a renewed focus on engaging families in a student’s learning journey, so that every child across the Northern Territory has the best start in life.
The Charter includes four key principles:
1. Partnering – when families and schools are partners in learning, children’s social and academic outcomes improve significantly;
2. Sharing and supporting – reciprocal support for children’s learning at home is evident when learning is not limited to the classroom;
3. Communicating – communication between home and school is effective, regular and two way; and
4. Respecting – everyone understands and respects each other’s role in a child’s life and encourages achievement.
The new charter will be available on www.education.nt.gov.au website and all NT government schools.
As stated by Minister for Education, Lauren Moss:
“We know Children whose families are engaged in their education perform better across a range of measures including behaviour, attendance and academic results.
“This Charter is about developing and maintaining partnerships between schools and families in order to support every child to engage, grow and achieve, something the Territory Labor Government is committed to.
“Having a shared understanding around engagement will help to give Territory students the best possible start in life and to ensure a stronger education system.”
As stated by NT COGSO Acting President, Noelene Armstrong:
“We have been pleased to work with the Department of Education on the Family Engagement Charter; working together is critical to the success of a child’s engagement with education.
“Unveiling the new Charter at our Annual Full Council Meeting this morning gives us the opportunity to talk about the importance of families as the first and continuing educators for their children, and the trust needed in our schools to provide strong educational foundations for future generations.”
