Queensland Independent Schools Parents Network (QISPN)
Justine Cirocco — Executive Officer
The peak parent bodies in Queensland’s education sector enjoy a warm and collaborative relationship. I am therefore delighted to pen this tribute to the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) on behalf of all parent body stakeholders, as we celebrate 50 years of teacher registration in our state.
The importance of teachers and parents working together – and the positive impact this has on a child’s educational outcomes and wellbeing – is recognised by governments at all levels and is a critical area of focus for schools. This collaborative educational partnership, known as ‘parent engagement’, is also enshrined in the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and the Australian Professional Standards for Principals.
Parent engagement research tells us that at the heart of successful parent engagement are good relationships, built on trust and communication, between teachers and families. The QCT plays a vital behind-the-scenes role in this trust-building, by ensuring our teachers are of the highest calibre.
The many quality checks and balances put in place by the QCT – starting at the pre-service level and continuing through a teacher’s entire career – ensure our teachers are held to a very high standard.
While the important work undertaken by the QCT may not be front-and-centre in the minds of parents when they look at their child’s teacher, it is an essential part of a high-quality education system and we thank the QCT for their vital work.
My counterpart at Catholic School Parents Queensland, Carmel Nash, gave a tribute representing parent bodies at the 50th Anniversary of Teacher Registration in Queensland dinner. During her speech Carmel reflected on how the relationship between parent bodies and the teacher registration authority had grown significantly over the last few decades, most notably when a parent representative was added to the Board in 1991.
She said that representation presented an opportunity for parent bodies to not only support the teaching profession, “but to advocate for teachers and the role they have in their children’s learning and wellbeing”. She also reflected that the majority of parents think highly of their children’s teachers and respect their work.
That is certainly my view as well.
Just as it is important for schools to value the role of parents and carers, it is vital that parents and carers value and appreciate the critical role of teachers. The Queensland Independent Schools Parents Network champions good relationships between parents and teachers and is proud to partner with QCT and other key stakeholders to recognise the work of teachers through the annual campaign for World Teachers’ Day, which will be celebrated this year on October 29 [1].
I send warm congratulations to the QCT Board, current Director Deanne Fishburn and staff on their milestone 50 years of service to our state.
[1] With the Ekka public holiday now falling on Friday 29 October 2021, school communities in the Brisbane, Moreton Bay and Scenic Rim local government areas are encouraged to celebrate the day locally on Thursday 28 October 2021.