The role of strong home-school communication
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Dear BSM Family,
As this new academic year unfolds, I have received feedback from a few parents which has reminded us of the critical role that strong home-school communication plays in the success and well-being of our students and the effective running of our wonderful school.
As I set out to write this message, I was aware of the irony that a piece about school-home communication may perhaps not be read by all parents. However, looking at the data from last week’s Lion Roar, I can see that more than 85% of parents who received it, opened it, selecting various specific sections to read. It is satisfying to see that there are many who read the articles that interested them and then went on to browse other sections on our website.
At BSM, we strive to find the right balance in our communications. We aim to provide parents with the information they need to stay informed and engaged without overwhelming them. The further irony here is that while some parents may feel bombarded with too much information, others might miss out on key updates simply because the emails or newsletters didn’t make it to the top of their reading list. This creates a disconnect where, despite our best efforts, the very tools designed to keep our community informed can end up being a source of frustration.
Parent WhatsApp groups are relied upon heavily by many parents, but please be aware that these are not official school communication channels. Rather, these provide a tool for parents to support each other via the Parent Reps - which is also why the Primary School groups may often seem much busier than those in Senior School, where students take more of the lead in organising themselves.
While we value open and frequent communication, we also fully recognise the importance of finding the right balance. Too much communication can sometimes feel overwhelming, leading to important messages being missed, and creating unnecessary stress or communication fatigue. On the other hand, too little communication can leave parents feeling disconnected or unsure of their child/ren’s progress. We are committed to striking the right balance between keeping you well-informed and respecting your time and attention.
With that in mind, we will engage with our Parent Reps to collect broad feedback on communications and explore the best ways to review our communication practices. Your feedback is crucial in helping us refine our approach to better meet the needs of our diverse community. Please share your thoughts with your Parent Rep, and rest assured that we are committed to finding the most effective solutions.
As always, enjoy a family-filled weekend!
Martin van der Linde
Parent Workshops
'WL Language Practices and Procedures for Key Stages 1-3 Parents', Wednesday, 04 September, 08.00am-09.00am, LRC Level 2 Screen Space
Learning a language opens windows to different cultures and doors to new opportunities. We invite you to explore our philosophy and approach to World Language teaching and learning in Primary and early Senior School. Join us as we share important updates to our practices and procedures, ensuring your child/ren’s future pathways in World Languages are clear and accessible. Please register here.
'Settling in Workshop for New Parents', Wednesday, 11 September 2024, 09.05am-09.50am, Senior School Assembly Hall
New circumstances bring a mixture of challenges, opportunities and excitement. To support your smooth transition, the Counselling Team would like to invite new parents to the Settling In Workshop, on Wednesday, 11 September 09.05am –09.50am, at the Senior School Assembly Hall.
We look forward to seeing you there. Please register here.
RELATED LINKS
- Message from the Head of School
- Whole School