Issue 20 - Australian International School Malaysia

Main Senior Middle Junior Performing Arts Sports Others Parent Assoc.
Parent Association (PA) and Class
Parents 2013
A proposal to Strengthen School Community
Interactions
The following is a proposal that was discussed at
the recent Parent Association meeting, that after
consultation with the PA Executive and other parents
and staff we plan to implement in 2013.
Further Aligning the Business of the PA with
School Objectives
1. The core purpose of the AISM Parents Association
include:
a) The objects:
i. To promote the interests of the school by bringing
parents, citizens, students and teaching staff into close
co-operation; and
ii. To assist in providing facilities and equipment for the
school and in promoting the recreation and welfare of
the students at the school
b) The functions:
i. To report, when requested by the Chairman of the
Board, on the material requirements of the school and
to advise on the subject of maintenance of the school,
alternations and additions to school facilities, and the
selection of new sites;
ii. To assist and co-operate with the teaching staff in
public functions associated with the school;
iii. To be responsible for the election of parent
representatives to any school council or Board of
Governors constituted at the school in consultation
with the Principal of the school to ensure consistency
with any guidelines (if issued) for elections issued by
the Chairman of the Board;
iv. To assist in any matters in which the Chairman of the
Board may seek the co-operation of the Association.
(Australian International School Malaysia, Parents
Association Constitution)
As such the primary objective at the PA is to arrange
events and support activities that promote strong
school community interactions and to provide input
into major school decisions and reviews as requested.
The proposal is that the PA continues in its current
form and continues to focus its business around the
key objectives relating to building community and
where requested, to provide membership to school
review and school development committees.
Re - instating the Role of Class Parents Across all
Sections of the School
In 2013 we will re-invigorate the role of Class Parents
across all year levels. The primary objective of Class
Parents is to assist new families transitioning to the
school, to build contacts within the school community
and to assist new parents to feel connected with
other parents of the school. Class Parents also serve
to support homeroom teachers in class events and
excursions. In 2013 Class Parents will be provided
with a clear role description and will undergo training/
briefing sessions prior to undertaking their volunteer
duties. Class parents will be recruited during week 1
and week 2 of term 1 each year.
Since the core objectives of the Class Parents and the
PA are aligned to some degree, it is proposed that all
class parents will be encouraged to be active members
of the PA. The PA will comprise of those Class Parents
who want to extend their role to assisting the activities
of the PA as well as other interested parents.
It is proposed that the PA Meeting will be followed by
a Class Parents meeting at which the Heads of School
will brief Class Parents of upcoming school events
and where appropriate, will seek feedback on recent
events, or new ideas and plans.
The Role of the PA Executive
The PA Executive will be appointed from the members
in the same manner, as is current practice. The PA
Executive will continue to manage the affairs of the
PA and will continue to meet once each term with the
School Principal, to provide feedback on the operations
of the school and to provide input into areas of
development.
Parent Reference Groups and Committees
From time to time, as the need arises, the Principal
will call on the PA to nominate parent representatives
to contribute to committee work, where school reviews
or development plans are being deliberated. In recent
times such group have been formed to: undertake a
review of our modern languages program; provide
input into CIS accreditation; inform a review of school
support and counselling services, conduct a review of
canteen operations and; in a range of other areas. In
all cases the input has led to significant improvements
for our students.
Implementation
The business of the PA will continue in its’ current form
but with the agendas being restricted to the objectives
as outlined in the constitution.
Class Parents will be recruited via expression of interest
prior to week 3 of term one each year. During week 3
a training /briefing session will be provide to all class
parents regarding the role and support provided by the
school. Regular review of the role tasks and support
required will be undertaken during the Class Parent
meetings with Heads of School.
David Kilpatrick, Principal
Page 10 14th December 2012