Talk with teachers and school leaders about things you care about, like parenting, wellbeing and how kids feel. This can happen at meetings, in chats, and through surveys. Sometimes, when parents have a good idea or notice something missing, the school can decide to start a project—like starting a garden, running parenting classes, or having cultural learning events.

Groups of parents, school leaders, and teachers often work as a team to think of ideas and decide what to do. They sometimes use surveys, forums, or meetings so that lots of people could join in. Parents help design parts of projects—like choosing topics for workshops, helping with art or garden designs, or voting on what to do first.

Parents can share their thoughts at different stages—not just at the beginning, but also as projects are happening. They can share ideas and feedback through regular surveys, meetings, or special focus groups. This helps the projects change and improve over time.

Parents can help in practical ways, like volunteering for working bees, helping out in classrooms, or creating art and gardens at school. Families can also be invited to check out new designs, help run programs and tell others about what is going on.

Sometimes, parents start and lead projects themselves. Parent groups can help make decisions and plan what is most important for the school. Parents can also help decide on rules and how money or resources are used.

Parents can tell their own stories, share problems they face, and teach others about their cultures. This helps the school make better choices for everyone and create a welcoming place for all types of families. Events like exhibitions or storytelling nights can celebrate and share these family stories.

Create a special group (like Parent Advisory Groups or Wellbeing Committees) that meet regularly to keep parents involved. Parents can be encouraged to start their own projects, and their opinions are always welcome when decisions needed to be made.

• Fun workshops about wellbeing (like understanding emotions, building resilience, or having a positive attitude)
• Events to learn about other cultures (learning about multicultural or Aboriginal traditions)
• Learning how to stay safe and include everyone (like online safety, working out problems together, or supporting mental health)
• Parenting information sessions (like learning about family rules, feelings, or how to support each other)

• Family fun events (camp outs, storytelling nights, cooking together, or school expo evenings)
• Special celebrations (art shows, NAIDOC week, cultural tours, or hands-on workshops)
• Themed group activities (like building something or working in the garden with both kids and parents)

• Helping with the school or community garden and nature play areas (planting, designing, caring for gardens, creating sensory paths)
• Making welcoming and fun areas at school (creating wellbeing corners, playgrounds, or welcome signs)
• Team art or building projects (painting murals, building things together, or group art displays)

• Using digital tools (like Seesaw or the school website) to share important wellbeing information
• Creating helpful leaflets or kits to take home
• Showing and celebrating what kids and families have learnt (newsletters, mini exhibitions, book sharing)

• Parent clubs or committees that meet to chat, give feedback, and plan school activities
• Focus groups or surveys to get everyone's ideas and help make new plans
• Special support groups (for grandparents, dads, multicultural families, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families)

• Training sessions for parents to learn new skills (like how to help with homework or life skills)
• Training for teachers and staff that parents can be part of

• Roles for parents in helping make big choices (like being on Governing Council or a project team)
• Parents helping design and plan new projects at school

• Healthy meal events (breakfast clubs or cooking classes)
• Workshops about health, physical activity, healthy eating and how to feel good
• Inclusive physical activity days or events (like parent versus student games)
• Extra help for parents with young children (like child-minding during events so everyone can join in)

The art of belonging

An initiative designed to foster connection, inclusion, and a sense of belonging for children and families at the preschool, located in an area of high vulnerability and disadvantage. The project includes the creation of a Welcome board, serving as a backdrop for first-day, graduation, and family photos, with a height chart and space to share centre information. An experienced local Aboriginal artist, in residence Terms 1 and 2, will facilitate creative sessions for both Nunga Playgroup parents (sharing stories through art) and preschool children (self-portraits and clay work). Parents and family invited to sessions, fostering parent-child collaboration and strengthening community relationships. The project will culminate with an art exhibition showcasing works and stories from the preschool community.

How parents were involved

• Originated from parent and Governing Council feedback suggesting a Welcome board with an Indigenous design, height chart, and event information space.
• Nunga Playgroup parents will create their own works to be displayed on the Welcome board.
• Parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents involved in collaborative art and construction sessions with their children.
• Parent proposal and collaborative input led to the idea for a public art exhibition.

Anticipated outcomes

• A permanent Welcome board supporting a sense of belonging for all new and current preschool families.
• Enhanced community engagement and pride, especially for Aboriginal families seeing their culture reflected at the centre.
• Regular opportunities for families to participate, learn, and celebrate together.
• Use of arts practices to build trust, wellbeing, and connection among children and adults.
• Exhibition of art and stories, promoting understanding, community involvement, and stronger partnerships within the wider local community.

Summary of budget

• Design or communications: $2,113 (production visual displays)
• Presenter: $400 (Artist-in-residence)
• Catering: $500 (networking morning teas)
• Other: $1,380 (art materials: canvas, paints, clay, brushes, pallets, tags)
• Total: $4,393

Additional support for the artist’s work with Nunga Playgroup is provided by the NIAA program, and KPCC will fund morning teas.

Time for grandparents and caregivers

The project responds to an increase in grandparents and other caregivers taking on primary caring responsibilities for preschool children due to family pressures such as cost-of-living increases and family breakdowns. It aims to create a supportive group environment where grandparents and carers can connect, share experiences, engage in self-care, and learn about modern child-rearing practices. Activities will include coffee chats, learning sessions with child development agencies, ‘Come and Play’ opportunities in the preschool or playgroup environment, and access to information and support from staff and partners such as Relationships Australia.

How parents were involved

The project was shaped by direct consultation with grandparents and caregivers. Staff engaged with caregivers to discuss their needs, with many expressing a desire for relaxation, connection, self-care opportunities, and practical advice on childcare. Community observations and feedback highlighted the unique pressures faced by caregivers, guiding the design towards a welcoming, low-pressure program that supports both caregivers’ wellbeing and their role in children’s development.

Anticipated outcomes

• A sustainable, supportive group for grandparents and caregivers.
• Increased caregiver confidence and skills to support children’s development through play.
• Greater understanding of the importance of play.
• Increased sense of belonging and reduced stress for caregivers through shared connection and self-care activities.
• Ongoing partnership with local agencies (e.g., Relationships Australia).
• Flexible, responsive sessions (onsite or offsite) based on caregiver preference.

Summary of budget

• Design or communications: $50
• Printing and photocopying: $50
• Creche or OSHC: $1,000
• Presenter: $1,000 (e.g., Relationships Australia, Head2Toe First Aid)
• Catering: $500
• Transport for parents: $200
• Other: $500 (participant packs)
• Total: $3,300

Includes offsite coffee group meetings with centre staff and ongoing support through the children’s centre budget and partnerships.

Strengthening school community through connection and education

This project, led by the schools Parents and Friends Committee in partnership with school leadership and the Governing Council, aims to build stronger connections between the school and parent community. The initiative will consist of a minimum of six workshops offered on school grounds, focusing on building resilience, supporting wellbeing, and increasing knowledge around child development and parenting strategies. Workshops will include sessions from external providers and several programs offered by the Department of Human Services. The workshops are designed to create an open forum where parents, caregivers, and school staff can work together, sharing strategies and strengthening engagement in their children's education and wellbeing.

How parents were involved

This is a parent-led initiative developed by the school Parents and Friends Committee, comprised of six parent members. The concept arose from the group’s ongoing focus to foster parent engagement and genuine connections with the school and staff. Parent representatives were actively involved in planning the workshops and will continue to support all aspects of delivery and evaluation.

Anticipated outcomes

• Creating a welcoming and approachable school environment.
• Engaging parents as partners in education.
• Building community unity and partnership.
• Improving pathways for communication between school and home.
• Promoting shared practices that support consistent learning and wellbeing at school.
• Empowering parents with greater knowledge, skills, and confidence.
• Promoting diversity and inclusion across all topics.

Each workshop’s success will be evaluated through participant surveys, with a view to continuing and expanding offerings in future years, pending evaluation and funding.

Summary of budget

• Printing and photocopying:$600
• Creche/OSHC: $1,200
• Catering: $1,200
• Total:$3,000

Community garden hub

A parent-led initiative aiming to develop a vibrant and inclusive community garden hub at the primary school. The project’s goal is to create a welcoming space for parents, children, and educators to connect, learn, and thrive. The development is overseen by a Parent Engagement Committee, who manage decision-making and ensure community needs are embedded throughout. The project will provide opportunities for regular feedback, volunteering, and engagement through recurring meetings and events. The new hub will feature communal areas for socialising, sensory gardens, nature-based play, a reading corner, art station, and a space for workshops and presentations, reinforcing the school as a true community centre.

How parents were involved

This is the first major initiative developed by the Parent Committee, in consultation through council meetings. Parents are involved at every stage: project planning, volunteering for development and ongoing maintenance, and fundraising. The committee will continue to gather ideas, track the needs of the community, and support sustainable growth for the hub.

Anticipated outcomes

• Enhanced community engagement and connection.
• Improved student wellbeing and social skills.
• Additional resources and support for families.
• Greater environmental awareness and sustainability.
• A showcase for school values and inclusivity.

This initiative will foster ownership, partnership, and a sense of belonging for all involved, while strengthening the connection between home, school, and the wider community.

Summary of budget

• Design or communications: $500
• Other (earth works, hardware, art materials, plants): $4,500
• Total Budget: $5,000

The project plan includes garden design and setup months 1-3, with ongoing educational programs and workshops ($3,000 per year, funded by the school), and continued maintenance and growth supported by the school ($3,000 per year, in-kind).

Learning together for community wellbeing

A parent-led initiative that brings together parents, children, staff, and community members to develop practical, sustainable solutions for community resilience. The project focuses on local care and stewardship, increasing preparedness for climate and natural disasters, and strengthening local networks. The key component is a series of after-school workshops (6–8 sessions), each including a scaffolded ‘homework project’ for families to complete and share. Topics include local natural environment mapping, bushfire preparedness, landscaping for resilience, Aboriginal knowledge and cultural awareness, and parent/educator skill-building in crisis management and wellbeing. The project culminates in creating a community mural with local artists, representing shared learning.

How parents were involved

All aspects of the project were parent-led, drawing on lived experience within the school community, especially following a natural disaster. Parents contributed to program design, idea generation, needs assessments, and content selection through formal (Governing Council, Parents and Friends Committee) and informal consultation. The initiative responds directly to ongoing community recovery needs and recognises the central role of parents and carers in fostering resilience.

Anticipated outcomes

• Authentic parent engagement and action-focused partnership with the school.
• Strengths-based approach acknowledging diversity and cultural perspectives, including Aboriginal knowledge and skills.
• Support for children to develop practical preparedness, coping, and helping strategies.
• Empowerment of children as active and capable citizens.
• Sustainable model for ongoing disaster resilience education.

Students will be able to recognise hazards, make safe choices, demonstrate resilience strategies, learn from a range of expertise, collaborate, and share their learning with the wider community.

Summary of budget

• Design or communications: $700
• Printing and photocopying: $600
• Creche or OSHC: $2,200
• Presenter: $250
• Catering: $950
• Other: $300 (Aboriginal cultural consultation)
• Total: $5,000

Wellbeing hub

The Wellbeing Hub is a co-designed, outdoor retreat space focused on supporting student wellbeing and inclusion at the school. Initiated by student feedback and developed through collaboration with parents, the Governing Council, and staff, the Hub will feature accessible pathways, sensory plants, a gabion bench, and Wellbeing Stations—each designed to promote emotional regulation, mindfulness, and social connection. The project also includes hands-on workshops for parents and caregivers, focusing on trauma-aware practice, neurodiversity, and anti-bullying strategies. The aim is to create a safe, peaceful and inclusive outdoor space for all students while empowering families to support wellbeing at home and school.

How parents were Involved

Parents and Governing Council members enthusiastically contributed to the project’s planning, design, and future maintenance. They will participate in workshops and have helped shape the space to be inclusive, accessible, and responsive to community needs. Parents also form part of the Wellbeing Hub Committee, supporting activities, events, fundraising, and evaluation. Regular consultation and feedback loops are embedded in the project’s ongoing development.

Anticipated outcomes

• Establishment of a Wellbeing Hub Committee to oversee workshops, planning, and sustainability.
• Creation of Wellbeing Stations throughout the yard, accessible to all.
• Strong parent/caregiver-child bonds built through shared activities.
• Increased parent understanding of school wellbeing strategies, empowering supportive action at home.
• Regular opportunities for community feedback, improvement suggestions, and event participation.
• A more inclusive, supportive, and connected school community.

Summary of budget

• Printing and photocopying: $250
• Catering: $550
• Other: $4,200 (bench $1,400, Wellbeing Stations $1,500, and sensory garden and accessible paths)
• Total: $5,000

Additional fundraising will be supported by the Fundraising Committee in 2025.

Working in partnership to build cultural understanding and safety

This project will extend the school’s ongoing cultural safety work by building stronger, more meaningful partnerships between school staff and parents/carers from the school’s major cultural groups. Following a successful consultation about the school's process for responding to and reporting racism, the initiative will focus on deepening cultural understanding and trust among staff, students, and families. A series of forums—targeted to key cultural communities—will support staff learning about the values, traditions, and experiences of their families, while also helping parents and caregivers understand Australian school practices and how to engage with the school. Each forum will involve facilitated discussion around family values, aspirations, and challenges, with the outcomes used to inform staff practice and school improvement. Department for Education Community Liaison Officers and the school’s behaviour SSO will help facilitate the process.

How parents were involved

• The plan was discussed and ratified by the Governing Council.
• Parent feedback from consultation groups and events directly informed the project’s design, with families expressing appreciation for increased communication and consultation, a desire for more cultural learning, and requests for greater school awareness of specific cultural traditions.
• Community cultural events, such as Iftar and the school's Cultural Diversity Gala, provided opportunities for parent voice, and highlighted a strong demand for further engagement.

Anticipated outcomes

• Improved communication and partnership between the school and parents/caregivers from multicultural backgrounds.
• Increased staff awareness and understanding of cultural values and experiences, informing a safer and more inclusive environment.
• Parents gain greater clarity and confidence engaging with the school and contributing to their children’s education.
• Parent and carer feedback will be gathered and used to inform school practice, leading to sustainable improvements in cultural safety and community inclusion.

Summary of budget

• Printing and photocopying: $300
• Creche or OSHC: $500
• Catering: $1,000
• Other: $3,000 (teacher release time for forum participation)
• Total: $4,800

School staff will also support with interpreting, organisation, and use of facilities as in-kind contributions.

Indigenous governance for inclusive schooling and cultural wellbeing

The school has a large Indigenous student cohort. This project aims to increase Indigenous representation on the Governing Council by boosting cultural understanding and competence among all members and building lasting relationships with the local community. Led by a senior cultural consultant, the project features immersive cultural tours at significant Aboriginal heritage sites, a community luncheon, and ongoing parent and community cultural workshops. The initiative also involves students, who work with the consultant to document and publish local landmarks and artefacts as a valuable school and community resource.

How parents were involved

• Increasing Indigenous representation and supporting cultural governance is an explicit governing council priority, informed by ongoing consultation with Emmalene Richards and the community.
• Parents and community members contributed insights and enthusiasm for the project during governing council meetings.
• Parents and students collaborate on identifying significant cultural sites and promoting Aboriginal perspectives.
• Community feedback guides the project’s evolution, and parents participate in both tours and workshops.

Anticipated outcomes

• Greater Indigenous and non-Indigenous participation in school governance.
• Deeper cultural competence among governing council members, parents, and staff.
• Stronger partnerships and respect between school and Aboriginal communities.
• Ongoing opportunities for governing council induction, community engagement, and cultural education.
• A model for inclusion and collaborative leadership that other schools and centres can emulate.
• Regular communication of project progress to the school community and stakeholders.

Summary of budget

• Catering: $4,080 (for cultural services including facilitation, tour and food)
• Other: $700 (3 x parent and cultural workshops at $200 each, plus $100 for sundries)
• Total: $4,780

Connecting our community

The initiative aims to build social connections and reduce isolation among families through a variety of supportive, engaging activities. Key components include quarterly ‘Prepare and Share’ evening meals using the school’s hospitality centre and garden, a weekly walking club for parents, a series of creative workshops exploring different art mediums, and a special overnight camp targeting dads or significant male adults. Facilitated by Parents and Friends volunteers, school staff, and the wellbeing team, all events focus on authentic relationship-building rather than presentations or lectures. The program is designed to create a welcoming environment for parents who may feel disengaged or isolated, to provide practical skills and knowledge, and to promote wellbeing through healthy eating, physical activity, and artistic expression.

How parents were involved

Parents were instrumental in shaping this project through ongoing conversations about community isolation, reluctance to engage, and a perception of exclusivity. Ideas were workshopped and refined with the Parents and Friends committee, the principal, staff, and wellbeing team. The initiative directly addresses the needs of parents who are less likely to attend traditional school events and provides opportunities for continued input, helping the project evolve in response to the community’s voice.

Anticipated outcomes

• Increased parental connection, confidence, and genuine engagement with the school.
• Reduced social isolation among families.
• Stronger, supportive networks that provide assistance during challenging times.
• Improved community and school partnerships, benefitting children’s safety, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Sustainable, evolving program guided by participant feedback, event documentation, and ongoing evaluation.

Summary of budget

• Design or communications: $100
• Creche or OSHC: $385
• Catering: $2,150
• Other: $2,000 (demonstrator and materials)
• Total: $4,635

In-kind support includes facilities, incidental costs, event coordination, and staffing from the school’s wellbeing team.

Growing students through family-school partnerships

The initiative is focused on strengthening the relationship between families and the school to foster a sense of belonging and enhance student achievement. This parent club provides a platform for families to connect, network, and discuss shared challenges. It acts as an essential communication bridge, enabling parents to voice concerns and suggestions to school leadership. The club also collaborates with teachers and leaders to address student learning needs and advocates for increased parental engagement through discussions, workshops, and collaborative events. By promoting open communication, building trusting relationships, and facilitating collaboration, the initiative aims to create a supportive, inclusive environment that empowers all students to thrive both socially and academically.

How parents were involved

Parents actively shaped this project through Parents and Friends meetings, Governing Council discussions, informal gatherings, focus groups, and regular feedback via surveys and email. These varied channels ensured that a broad range of voices contributed ideas and decisions, directly influencing the project’s structure and focus on safe, inclusive, and well-supported learning environments.

Anticipated outcomes

• Stronger partnerships between families and the school.
• Improved communication channels and parental involvement in decision-making.
• More inclusive and safe learning environments reflecting diverse student needs.
• Increased parental confidence and capacity to navigate school processes and contribute to policy development.
• A sustainable, community-driven approach with ongoing feedback, regular meetings, and rotating leadership among parents.
• Establishment of robust support networks among parents that will persist beyond the funding period.

Summary of budget

• Design or communications: $800
• Printing and photocopying: $300
• Creche or OSHC: $1,000
• Interpreter or translator: $700
• Presenter: $700 (external not for profit partners)
• Catering: $600
• Transport for parents: $500
• Consultation, survey interviews: $400
• Total: $5,000

Additional in-kind support provided by the school and local business partners.