Parents Victoria, whose members are parents of students in Victorian government schools, have arranged a National Online Conference on the topic:

What support do parents need to be active participants in their children’s learning and development?

Parents of primary and secondary students, in all locations, are invited to take part. It runs  from 6am Monday 18 May to midnight Sunday 24 May. No special software is needed, other than an internet-connected computer and a browser.

The Parents Victoria Online Conference 2009 website will open from 6am on 18 May at: http://www.cybertext.net.au/pv1_09/ but please register yourself (free) online first at http://www.cybertext.net.au/pv09.htm

Each day, the conference will discuss one of the following questions:

  • Parent/teacher meetings – how could these meetings be improved?
  • School attendance – when is it okay to stay away?
  • Transition – what could be done to improve transition from one level of schooling to the next, i.e. kindergarten to primary, year 6 to secondary?
  • Cyberbullying – how do we keep our children safe?
  • Sex education – who’s responsible?
  • Banning confectionery from school canteens – tell us your thoughts  (this will be hosted on Thursday 21 May by Prue Cerin from the Victorian School Canteen Association)
  • Parental engagement – What can be done to get more parents involved in their children’s schools?

For details: http://www.parentsvictoria.asn.au