Transparency, trust and school

This has been the most incredible term at Mina. So much has been upgraded, achieved, implemented and learned. This is what school should be about and not only for the children but for staff and parents too!

So much of what we do here happens after ideas are deliberated upon, discussed, and then either adopted or not. We spend time talking as a team, whether the board team, the staff team or parents who are part of the team simply because they are part of the school and then consciously deciding what we can do to better the school and our offering.

These processes may not always be clear and explicit to the parent body. You may only see the end result in the form of a request like a debit order form, an offer to book hearing/visual screening, a request for term supplies or even just details about our upcoming theme. These are all end results.

I don't expect you to be mind readers (sigh of relief) nor do I think you should intuitively know or understand why we do what we do and when. Yes, sigh again. What I would like is to invite you to ask, question and talk through any of the things we do so you can understand and have access to the information that backs our decisions.

This is called transparency and it is something I feel is essential to good relationships. I value and want good relationships nurtured with our parents and staff. People (adults and children both) who feel they are trusted perform well. People who trust in a process are calm and most importantly, people who have a voice, don't have to scream to be heard, misbehave to be noticed or sit in their concern, worry, and doubt without the appropriate opportunity for discussion and relief.

So what actually am I saying?!

If and when you have questions or concerns, come talk to me. Come sooner rather than later regardless of the issue. You will be heard, we will be open to your input and Mina Lopato Nursery School will have engaged parents, staff and children who thrive in a culture of openness and transparency.