Did you know that one of the most important objectives in the constitution of Wesley College’s Parents’ and Friends’ Association is ‘to create a fellowship among the members of the Association’? Mrs Emma Power, P&F Chair, explains.

We believe it is our mandate to build a strong society of friendships and support for the Wesley College parent community.

One of the ways we do this is to hold events where you can meet and catch up with fellow parents. This year our Welcome Sundowner, held in conjunction with the College, was a free event to encourage more parents to attend. Because of this, it was our most successful event to date, with approximately 600 attendees!

People often talk about finding their ‘tribe’. It is an important aspect of life to find the community of which you are a part and within which you feel comfortable.

The P&F want to support people to not only build a whole College community, but to find their tribe within that larger community.

People with genuine friendships and effective support networks are much more likely to be happier, healthier and able to achieve the legendary ‘work/life balance’.

Being able to make strong friendships and connections within a community also helps shape our future leaders in the classroom, the workplace and in life in general. If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that the soft skills of compassion, resilience and empathy are more valued than ever before.

The College plays a key role in showing our students how success is attainable through many different paths, guiding them in academic, sporting and arts pursuits by providing not only the latest innovative methods and technology but also leadership and pastoral care.

It is through the partnership between the College and parents that we can work to prepare our children for their future endeavours.

As parents, it is important to be good role models for our children by demonstrating that being a collaborative, compassionate and active member of a community is fulfilling and an important life skill.

All of these things give our children the necessary tools to be ready beyond their school years.

Together, we can get our children ‘future ready’ by valuing the past but also looking toward the future and what we hope to achieve for ourselves and for them.

This article was originally published in the Winter 2021 edition of The Wesleyan. To read more, click here.