Local parents unite to form support network
Pioneering project aims to break down barriers and get carers involved
Parents of children who attend schools in the Rutherglen and Cambuslang area are forming a pioneering partnership aimed at breaking down the barriers to parental engagement.
Cathkin, Stonelaw and Trinity (CST) High School Parent Councils are joining forces to create CST Parent Partnership – the first of its kind in South Lanarkshire.
It will also include parents from both Rutherglen High School and Carmyle.
As a parent group, it has been involved in developing the South Lanarkshire Parental Involvement and Engagement Strategy as well as publishing a guide for Parent Councils.
Sharon Collie, chair of Stonelaw Parent Council, said this is a great opportunity for parents and carers across the community to come together in an open and friendly environment.
“The aim of this partnership is to open the door to allow discussions on issues of common interest, the sharing of ideas, good practice and resources,” explained Sharon.
“It will involve parents and local community groups.
“This group will offer a parentfriendly, transparent and supportive place for parents and carers to ask questions and seek support and advice, share in a blether about a range of subjects on-going in education and relevant to the local community.
“There’s no such thing as a daft question.”
Sharon also explained that currently, Cathkin, Stonelaw and Trinity High Schools work together sharing resources within the senior phase and have excellent transition programmes for pupils moving from primary to secondary, including support for pupils with additional support needs who attend Rutherglen High.
She continued: “Parents don’t currently get the opportunity to work together, as parent councils work independently.
“Also, many parents don’t feel comfortable attending parent council meetings and events at school.
“This can be due to a variety of reasons: the perception of what they think happens at meetings, timing of these meetings, or personal experience at school or being involved in the local community that was not good.
“This parent partnership hope to remove and reduce the barriers to parental engagement and involvement locally, which will link with South Lanarkshire’s recently-launched parent engagement and involvement strategy.”
The first event has been booked for Wednesday, March 18 at Rutherglen Town Hall from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Suggested topics for discussion to date are: cost of the school day, developing positive relationships and safety on social media apps.
At the end of this event, parents and carers will be asked for feedback on how they would like this parent partnership to be taken forward.
They will have a say in how often this group meets and the subjects to be discussed.
Sharon added: “We hope the new CST Parent Partnership will be well received within the Rutherglen and Cambuslang area and that as many parents and carers as possible come along to this event.”
If you would like to attend on March 18, email at stonelawparentcouncil@gmail.com or text Parent Partnership with your name to 07788720938.
The partnership hope to remove barriers to parental engagement