As we prepare for the new school year, we want to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible contribution of our parents at the Bakhita School of Excellence. Over the past month, parents have worked side by side with our staff to help prepare the school for the year ahead — and their effort has been nothing short of inspiring.
At Bakhita, students do not pay school fees. Instead, enrolment is supported through a parent partnership model, where families contribute four hours of service to the school each month, or $8 in cases where parents are working or no family member is available to give time. This approach ensures education remains accessible while strengthening shared responsibility and ownership of the school.
In recent weeks, parents have generously given their time to help catch up on administration, prepare posters, word charts, and classroom learning resources. One of the biggest tasks has been helping to stamp, number, and organise hundreds of new library books, made possible through the generosity of Oxford University Press, who donated four pallets of readers to support literacy at Bakhita.
Beyond the practical support, this program has created meaningful opportunities for parents themselves. Many parents have been learning new skills, including using computers, reading and recognising English words, organising resources, and working as part of a team. For some, it has been their first time using a computer or handling books in English — a powerful reminder that education truly is lifelong.
Just as importantly, the program has helped parents build relationships with one another, strengthening connections across families and creating a sense of belonging. Through working together, sharing conversations, and learning side by side, parents are helping to build a strong, supportive school community where everyone plays a role in their children’s education.
We are deeply grateful to every parent who has contributed time, energy, and care to the school. Your involvement not only helps prepare classrooms and resources — it shows our children the value of teamwork, service, and community.
Thank you for helping build Bakhita together.