Community Engagement

In February 2011, we conducted an on-line Community Engagement Survey. This information has provided us with valuable information to better communicate and engage with our community. Certain trends have appeared in the feedback:

• The newsletter and emails are generally seen as positive. We have changed the newsletter format by removing the columns as suggested to make it easier to read on-line. Fran Bowerman, our school secretary, received a lot of positive feedback for the great job she does following up with emails as required.
• The website is less frequently used by many parents. Many parents use it when wanting specific information. The feedback suggests we need to update it more regularly. We are currently in the process of updating the home page to include our new school logo (as now seen at the top of the newsletter).
• Flyers are regarded as less effective as they tend to get lost or delayed before they are received. They are however helpful for parents who don’t check their emails often and for notices when a parent signature is required. When used, it was suggested they should be followed up with an email.
• Parents generally would like better communication with teachers and to find out more about what their child is learning at school. We have now listed staff email addresses on the website under the staff section - Staff email addresses.    As teachers are teaching during the day and often have meetings after school, please have realistic expectations of when you will receive a reply. We see utilising the ‘Ultranet’ section of the school website as the best way to inform parents of what learning is happening at school. Teachers are being provided with more guidance in using the Ultranet. 

Thank you to the parents who completed the on-line survey. It has certainly been helpful as we strive to provide useful and sustainable ways to communicate with our community.