On Friday evening, 16th of August 2024, New Zealand School Jakarta held a parent’s gathering aimed at fostering stronger connections between the school and its parent community.
This parent’s gathering is held every year to welcome new parents whose kids are enrolled in the new academic year at New Zealand School Jakarta. The event started at 5 PM at the school playground.
The evening was set against the backdrop of the school’s recent celebration of Indonesian Independence Day, which was earlier marked by a flag-raising ceremony and traditional games with the students. This event, however, was exclusively for the parents, offering them an opportunity to connect with each other and the school staff in a more informal setting.
The concept of the event was carefully crafted to provide a respite from the busy city life of Jakarta. The atmosphere was enhanced by the DJ’s music, creating an open environment where everyone could enjoy drinks and food, sit down, listen to music, and simply savour the vibe.
During the event, Indonesia Expat had a chance to speak with the Head of New Zealand School Jakarta, Mr Tim Maitland and had a conversation with him. “It’s lovely,” remarked Mr Tim, when asked about the vibe of the event.
“It’s a great opportunity for families to connect with each other, meet the teachers and staff in a relaxed setting, and enjoy each other’s company. It’s really positive, and I had the same feeling when I saw all the kids back at school for this first two weeks,” he continued.
The event was not only about enjoyment but also about building a sense of community within the school. Mr Tim highlighted the importance of this parents gathering, stating, “It’s building connections and building good relationships with everyone in the community. We believe that a positive community is going to have a good impact on the children, on the school spirit, and the feeling we get when we come to school each day.”
Communication with parents was a key factor in the event’s success. Mr Tim explained that he and the school team had sent a few invitations and had personal interactions, especially with the new parents, in order to encourage them to come and enjoy the evening at New Zealand School Jakarta.
Looking ahead, the school plans to continue fostering these relationships through various activities throughout the year. “We’ll have other events coming up. We’ll have coffee mornings and celebrations of learning. We’ll have other opportunities to bring families and students together,” Mr Tim shared. He emphasised the ongoing nature of nurturing positive relationships within the school community and the impact it can have for the kids’ education as well as building trust in the school.
Indonesia Expat also met Dr Steven Graaff, a coordinator of the school’s whānau support group, which is their version of a parent support group. He praised the gathering for its role in integrating new families into the school’s vibrant community.
“I think it’s a very good event because there are a lot of new parents whose kids have joined the school this year. And this is a great opportunity to meet parents from other children, from other grades as well,” Dr Steven remarked.
Dr Steven also highlighted how these events contribute to a sense of belonging and encourage parents to support the school in various ways. “I think it not only creates a feeling of belonging to the school, but it also encourages parents to help out and to support the school,” he explained.
Drawing from his own experience, Dr Steven shared how his involvement as a clinic owner has allowed him to support the school through health talks and collaborations with other parents. He noted that when parents from different fields come together, they can generate ideas that benefit both the school and its students.
The event was a success, fulfilling its goal of nurturing a positive community atmosphere and laying the groundwork for future collaborations between parents and the school.
New Zealand School Jakarta
- Address: Jl. Kemang Selatan I No. 1A, Bangka, Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta – 12730
- Phone Number: +62 21 718 3222
- Official Website: https://www.nzsj.sch.id/
- Instagram: @nzs.jakarta