“If children are to reach their potential at school, it’s vital that their parents are really involved in their schooling. This is often more difficult – and more important – for migrant and refugee families,” explains Council Vice President, Viv Pearce.

“Many ACT schools are grappling with how to be welcoming and effectively engage with parents in this situation.”

“The forum will give school staff new ideas and perspectives. It is a chance for principals to hear directly from migrant parents as well as share experience and best practice with other school leaders,” she said.

“We hope to foster a greater understanding of the difficulties parents face when approaching schools if they are not confident with their English, their cultural experience of schools is very different from here in Canberra, or they have suffered on their journey to Australia,” Ms Pearce explained.

The forum will run as a panel session with the audience encouraged to ask questions and share experiences. The panel includes parents and cultural experts, as well as educators who have successfully engaged migrant students and families.

The forum is on Thursday June 9, from 2 to 4pm at the Centre for Teaching and Learning, 51 Fremantle Drive, Stirling.

Press release issued 8:00am, June 9, 2016