Key findings and insights from the Have Your Say consultation have guided development of the Partnership Agreement.

The Department of Education and the P&C Federation NSW are committed to working together to support strong collaboration between schools, P&C Associations and their communities, and to help parents and carers engage with and be partners in their child’s education.

We undertook a public consultation through the Have Your Say platform to hear from parents, carers, education staff, P&C Associations, and community members.

Several multiple choice and open-ended questions were asked to better understand their views on the draft partnership agreement. The 268 respondents identified key findings including what’s important to them.

Of the 268 respondents: 53% of participants responded as a parent or carer, 51% of participants responded as NSW Department of Education school staff, 24% of participants responded as P&C Association members,16% as a member of NSW public school community / corporate staff or other. (Participants could select more than one option).

Overall, the results indicate strong support across the different stakeholder groups, with the draft Partnership Agreement creating an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone involved, promoting positive connections and enriching student learning.

90% of respondents agreed with the proposed outcomes of the agreement, in particular that we should aim to:

• support parents, carers and community engagement with P&C Associations that is inclusive, welcoming and respectful.
• enrich student learning with positive connections between schools, parents, carers and community.

26% of responses provided feedback and suggestions to enhance the experience of stakeholders, including providing more detail around how both organisations will work together; for the role of schools and P&C Associations to be more clearly defined; and encouraging P&C Associations to be representative of their community’s diversity and culture.

We have used these results along with other research, to support development of Together in Partnership: NSW Department of Education and P&C Federation NSW Partnership Agreement.

The Partnership Agreement provides a strong foundation for our ongoing work. You can read more about the Partnership Agreement here, along with information about some of our shared initiatives.