DYNAMIC ACTIVITIES STAGED TO BOOST PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN LIVES OF GIRLS, SCHOOL
BROWN’S TOWN, St Ann; June 7, 2025
St Hilda’s Diocesan High School, Brown’s Town, St Ann, says it is already reaping the rewards from an initiative aimed at increasing parental interest and involvement in their daughters’ school life.
The girls-only institution with just under 1,000 students and 51 teachers this year rolled out the Parent Engagement Programme (PEP), a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing parental involvement in all aspects of school life.
(Mom, right, and daughter — picture of unique bonding and support)
The school’s administration recognised an opportunity to strengthen parental engagement, as recent observations suggested that there was significant room for improvement in how parents connect with the school through PTA meetings and other events.
In January 2025, with the full support of Principal Heather Reid Johnson, the school went into action mode and set up a Parent Engagement Committee. Under the leadership of Vice Principal Vanessa Thompson Walters, the committee planned and executed a series of dynamic, relationship-building activities. These were aimed at deepening parental engagement and fostering a strong sense of community.
(Principal Heather Reid Johnson, right, making a presentation to the dad-and-daughter duo who won the Best Matching Outfit prize)
Mrs Thompson Walters told the North Coast Times that the involvement of parents in the life of the girls and the school “Is of great importance, as parents play a critical role in supporting the holistic development of our girls.”
(Dad Fabian Wainwright, senior education officer, with daughter Anastasia, Deputy Head Girl)
Asked to give a specific indicator for a need to engage parents, Mrs Thompson Walters said: “The girls tend to perform better when they know we have a positive relationship with their parents. When we have the support of parents, they gain a clearer understanding and firsthand insight into what we aim to achieve, making it easier for them to actively embrace the school’s programmes.”
(Vice Principal Vanessa Thompson Walters, right, making a presentation to the mom and daughter team –Demetria Gordon, left and Alecia Brown, who won the cook-off competition)
Under the engagement programme, some of the activities that brought parents into the school included
- DAD AND DAUGHTER TWIN DAY –celebrating the important role of fathers. Fathers participated in empowerment sessions and shared meaningful experiences with their daughters.
- MOM AND DAUGHTER TWIN DAY – This was aimed at nurturing the bond between mothers and daughters through shared activities and themed engagement.
- PARENT PRE-SPORTS DAY ACTIVITIES – The day before school sports, parents actively participated in several races, including egg and spoon, sack race and relays, representing their children’s house team, promoting school spirit and camaraderie.
There were also two separate cook-off events.
The PEP team also held GRADE-LEVEL “GETTING TO KNOW YOU” sessions – that brought parents into the school in a social, informal setting where they were able to meet and speak with teachers, identify with their girls and build trust and support.
Parents were invited to gather according to year group or grade level of their children and to interact with teachers – in light conversation, with games and refreshments in a getting-to-know-you way.
Kedene Robinson, a member of the committee, commented that “The enthusiasm, joy, and participation I witnessed were invaluable, underscoring the power of collaboration and shared experiences”
Miss Lucretia Rowe, teacher, said, “The initiatives mirror examples of respectful communication between parents and teachers, thus making teaching and learning easier”
Looking over the period of the implementation of the Programme, Mrs Thompson Walters said that support from the parents shored up the contribution of the girls and improved their performance and involvement in the many programmes at St Hilda’s to build and develop the girls. She said that St Hilda’s plan is for the programme to continue and to institutionalise some of the activities.
Mrs Thompson-Walters lauded the outstanding dedication and work of the Parent Engagement committee members: Vice Principal Ramona Simmonds; Kayon Williams, Graceann Yorke, Karen Lothian, Dwayne Daley, Kedene Robinson, Daniel Buchanan, Trevaun Jackson and Sylvester Wright.
(Dwayne Daley presents a gift to Kamaine Allison, teacher, who is accepting on behalf of the parents of Grade 7 students, winners at the Getting to Know You social.)
She said that out of the activities, the school had issued questionnaires to get feedback and refine its direction in moving ahead. It had also conducted a focus group session with parents to gauge the response and effectiveness of the PEP.
Students expressed pride and motivation seeing their parents engaged, while teachers reported feeling more supported in reinforcing school values and expectations.
While work remains to sustain and deepen engagement, the progress made demonstrates that with the right strategies, parental disengagement can be effectively addressed and transformed into a lasting partnership. Mrs Thompson Walters said the PEP has yielded significant positive outcomes in addressing the issue of low parental engagement at St. Hilda’s Diocesan High School.
