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HAVERGAL COLLEGE
A
s parents, we play a lifelong and pivotal role in building
our children’s confidence. Studies show that when parents
are engaged, educational achievements, self-esteem and overall
well-being are higher.
By asking questions, understanding Havergal’s values, attending
school events, volunteering, making donations and socializing with
other parents, we let our daughters know that they are part of a
supportive and connected community. This helps our daughters feel
important, comfortable and confident in sharing daily challenges
and successes.
There are many ways and opportunities for parents to be engaged in
the Havergal community, both at home and at school.
At home, parents listen and ask questions to understand their
daughter’s current issue while allowing her to resolve it primarily
on her own. According to Dr. Michael Simmonds—Vice Principal,
School Life, Operations & Student Wellness—by letting your
daughter reach her own conclusions (while being there to provide
guidance should she ask), you are showing her that you are confident
in her ability to advocate for herself and others. You’re saying,
“You can do this, even if the results are imperfect, and that’s OK.”
Having the courage—one of Havergal’s values—to solve problems
that matter most to them, in a way that is comfortable for them, is
important as girls and parents understand that confidence means
something different for everyone. Grade 3 student Claudia Flood,
for example, recently let a classmate know that she wanted to be
spoken to with respect and later shared the story with her mother.
At school, parents participate in myriad ways. This includes
volunteering, which is organized by the school or in partnership with
the Havergal College Parents Association (HCPA). In the younger
years, parents help with The Terry Fox Run, picture days and in the
Learning Hub. Last year, the Junior School held its first bake sale,
linking school and home life as parents, caregivers and daughters
baked goodies to fund the Junior School robotics program. In
the Upper School, parents are involved with Career Networking,
a speed-dating type of event that the school hosts every two
years, where girls ask questions about career journeys. Of course,
Celebration Saturday is another great example of how the school and
parents work together to benefit our community partnerships.
Parents also show interest by attending a variety of school events,
with or without their daughters. These include Music Nights in
the Upper School, Christmas concerts in the Junior School, Grade
Rep Meetings and the annual HCPA Luncheon in November.
Mother-Daughter Games, Mother-Daughter Breakfasts and the
Father-Daughter Dance bring Upper School caregivers, family
members and students together in casual settings. Many girls sing,
play instruments or speak at Prayers, affording parents another
opportunity to show support and connect with the school. Coffee
mornings, parent socials and the ever-popular Junior School Mom’s
Night Out provide casual venues for parents to meet and learn more
about their daughter’s friends and families.
On the academic front, engagement includes listening to teachers
speak about the upcoming school year at Curriculum Night and
attending parent-teacher conferences. Seonaid Davis, Vice Principal
of Teaching & Learning, encourages parents to attend guidance
events (look for sessions in January and February on anxiety in
children and the progress of girls as they grow) and raise concerns
with teachers and administrators about their children. Often, a
simple clarification helps a family understand why something is
being done. Leslie Anne Dexter, Head of Junior School, emphasizes
the importance of approaching the school with any questions: the
more informed a parent is, the more accurately he or she can share
the Havergal story with other parents, creating a community and
family with common goals, language and values.
Taking the time to go to athletic games is a way of showing parental
and family support while affirming our daughter’s commitment,
passion and hard work. Havergal’s Rowing team is an excellent
example of an active and tightly knit community that exists largely
off-campus, where parents and girls arrange carpools to and from
the waterfront and spend weekends nourishing and cheering on the
athletes at weekend-long regattas.
When Parent Engagement Supports a
Culture of Confidence
By Mary Ashkar and Mekhul Verma, HCPA Communications Coordinators
HCPA