Growing Good Corn

I want to begin this blog by highlighting the impact of parent participation on children’s learning and social-emotional wellbeing. “The research overwhelmingly demonstrates that parent involvement in children’s learning is positively related to achievement. Further, the research shows that the more intensively parents are involved in their children’s learning, the more beneficial are the achievement effects. This holds true for all types of parent involvement in children’s learning and for all types and ages of students” (Cotton, K. and Wikelund, K.R., (1989) School Improvement Research Series, Parent Involvement in Education).

Parent involvement at Holy Cross College takes many forms from participating on the classroom rosters in the Junior School to helping out on sports days to baking cakes to help with fundraising initiatives.

It is acknowledged that not all parents are able to attend all events or help out with every activity, but any contribution, big or small, can have a positive impact on students’ sense of belonging and achievement.

Over the past two weeks a number of parents have put their hand up to assist with the Friends of Holy Cross or the College Board. I am sincerely grateful for the commitment and dedication of the following parents for taking on these important roles:

Friends of Holy Cross

President                                                            Michelle Francis

Vice President                                                    Sarah Love

Treasurer                                                            Tarquin Allen

Secretary                                                            Chantelle Moodley

Learning Council Co-ordinator                           Lindsay Jacklin

Inter-relationships Council Co-ordinator           Liz Wiseman

Faith Council Co-ordinator                                 Carol Wincott-Whyte

Enrichment Council Co-ordinator                      Krerstina Puccio

College Board Nominee                                     Jo Davies

College Board

Chairperson                                                        Adam Bolton

Treasurer                                                            Chris Sorensen

Member                                                              Lisa Reith

Member                                                              Rebecca Bowen

Member                                                              Rodney Gardiner

Member                                                              Jo Davies

Member                                                              Peter Collins

Observers

Kylie Day, Vice Principal

Jean Topliss, Business Manager

Ryan Shelton, Deputy Principal – Learning

Parent participation is critical to building a connected and supportive community. When we help our neighbours and friends we can be confident they will give us a helping hand when and if we need it.

I am reminded of the story of growing good corn, which suggests that sharing the best of our good fortune with our neighbours will increase our good fortune ten-fold.

There once was a farmer who grew the best corn in the district. Each year he entered his corn in the agricultural show where it won first prize.

One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbours.

“Why do you share your best seed corn with your neighbours when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?” the reporter asked.

“It is obvious.” said the farmer. “The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and blows it from field to field. If my neighbours grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will eventually destroy the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbours grow good corn.”

As a farmer, he knew the connectedness of life. He knew he and his neighbours were inter-dependent. He knew his corn could not improve unless his neighbours’ corn also improved.

Our lives are like that. Those who choose to live in peace must help their neighbours to live in peace. Those who choose to live well must help others to live well, for riches cannot be achieved and enjoyed when you are surrounded by poverty.

The best scholars in the world become even better by sharing their learning and by learning from others. Parents who actively support their child’s school will in-turn increase their child’s academic achievement and social-emotional wellbeing. And those who choose to be happy must help others to find happiness, for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all.

The lesson for each of us is this: if we are to grow good corn, we must help our neighbours grow good corn.

It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the generous man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself.  Proverbs 11:24-25

So, I encourage all parents and carers to “Grow Good Corn” by actively participating in their children’s education.