Blokes 'n' Kids at Flowerdale

Women are often the members of their families most involved with the schools their kids attend. At Flowerdale Primary School, we’re working to change that by inviting dads, blokes, uncles, and granddads to get more involved with activities and events at school. In our small school, we have several kids from single-parent families or kids from out of home care who don’t have dads at home. There are lots of different blokes who are significant to families, we want to make them all feel welcome and accepted here at the school.

Blokes are usually invited to working bees, but not spaces to just have fun with their kids. We’re organising a series of events across the school year where blokes can participate alongside their families. We put on a carnival night with food, popcorn, games, and prizes. Everyone got a sausage, some ice cream, and the kids had a great time with the blokes. I spoke to some who attended and they told me they’d had fun, and were happy to come back!

We want to show families our school is a welcoming place and a supportive place. That’s part of my role as a Chaplain!

—Kerry, Chaplain