BOOK
REVIEW published in the NSW Parent & Citizen Journal Term 4, 2001 By Jane Hunter Negotiating with Your School : A Practical Guide for Parents, as the minor title suggests gives clear, practical ideas for parents to pursue when there are problems at school. David West, a well-known Sydney psychologist and mediator offers some refreshing perspectives on the negotiating options open to parents and their children when situations at school have become difficult. His : Admit there is a problem to yourself and the other person Discuss the issues from all sides Options - look for as many as you can Proposal - put a proposal one Time - set a time for a review system is based upon a workable model ‘tried and tested’ during David’s many years as a counsellor in NSW schools. This non-threatening approach preserves the position of both school and family alike. Thirteen Letters is the title of Chapter 4 includes proforma letters parents may like to follow when setting up face-to-face meetings with the Principal of their child’s school or when negotiating meeting with their child’s teacher. David weaves in many case studies to exemplify the possible position parents may wish to explore should concerns at school arise. The helpful advice given on what to do if your child is suspended from school is timely given the continued upward trend in suspensions in NSW public schools. Critical here is the role parents play in ensuring the best long term interests of the child have been considered. In much of the educational literature in recent times there has been prolific debate on the recurring notion of creating resilience in young people. David’s sense of ‘problem-proofing your child’ ties in with this concern, in terms of how he says, we as parents “teach children independence and responsibility”. Most young people do have choices and if a particular decision is taken then certain consequences flow as a result of the choice made. “Encouraging children in their achievements and teaching them that it is OK to be different are good beginning points for the development of self-reliance” according to West. Many useful addresses are given in this book to national organisations that are available for parents to access when problems arise at school. This resource fills a ‘gap’ in the parent library of highly readable guides for traversing the complex school landscape. It will also be of interest to both newly appointed and experienced teachers, as it gives a view from the ‘other side of the school fence’. Don’t miss it! Jane Hunter is an Education Consultant and Lecturer in Education at theUniversity of Sydney. David West is a Sydney psychologist and mediator in private practice. His book Negotiating with Your School was published recently. There has been a great interest in this whole issue. Recently David was guest on the Washington Post educational forum. He answered questions from parents all over America. |
