Your children are improving their grades, doing their homework, and attending school more regularly does it sound like a dream?
The answer may be simpler than you think and the secret could lie in what you do at school as a parent.
Research shows that when parents are actively involved in their children's schooling, children are happier, perform better, and stay at school longer. They also improve their behaviour and are more likely to enrol in tertiary study.
So, if you've thought about helping at school but couldn't find the time or weren't sure how to volunteer, these are great reasons to take the first step!
Wanda Lambert, President of the Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens' Associations, says that every effort to actively show interest is important.
"Even if you come to parent —teacher interviews or give your views at a meeting about curriculum changes, that too is giving time," Mrs Lambert says.
"It's vital for parents to think outside the square in terms of being involved in schooling - it's not just about tuckshops.
"Regardless of the time you give, the person you are helping is your child and we need to remember that," she says.
John Beaton, Chairperson of the Federation of Parents and Friends Associations of Catholic Schools Queensland, also agrees that building a partnership between home, school, parents and teachers is very important.
"Parents, in conjunction with teachers, are responsible for the education of their children so parents need to get involved, find out what happens in the school, and support that at home," Mr Beaton says.
"When parents are fully involved the school becomes a true community."
Greg Palmer, President of the Queensland Independent Schools Parents Council, also backs the research and stresses the importance of parents getting to know their children's teachers.
"Research shows that when parents communicate with teachers more frequently about their children, the child's performance improves. If time is an issue and you cannot do anything else at school, then at least talk to your children's teachers," Mr Palmer says.
"Parent and citizen involvement in schooling really means bringing the town into the school and creating an extended family," he says.
Fiona King (pictured), a mother of two, volunteers at Monkland State School near Gympie and loves every minute of it. She is now in her fifth year as P&C President, helps out in the classroom with reading and art, and volunteers as a swimming teacher at the school.
"But it isn't all selfless because it's a great way to make new friends and it's even helped me professionally,"
Mrs King says.
"Through volunteering at school, I realised that a swim coach is what I wanted to be. It showed me what I really enjoy doing and I've now received my official accreditation and it's turned into a job.
"Volunteering doesn't have to take a long time and it's a sense of giving something back to the kids. It's also knowing that one child could be saved from drowning because of what I do and that's an incredible feeling,"
she says.
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© The State of Queensland (Department of Education, Training and Employment) 2008.