http://dadsforlife.sg/events-buzz/fathersschools-second-anniversary
21 April 2012 – It has been two years since Dads for Life’sFathers@Schools programme was launched in 2010, and membership numbers have more than doubled, growing from 55 schools in April 2010 to a current total of 162. This included special education schools and pre-schools, in addition to mainstream primary and secondary schools.
As such, there was much to celebrate at Fathers@Schools Second Anniversary, held at Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (Secondary) on 21 April 2012 –an event attended by over 200 guests, including school principals, teaching professionals, counselors and father volunteers.
They were treated to a video montage which captured significant milestones of the programme. To top it all off, 23 fathers were officially appointed as Ambassadors by the Fathers Action Network (FAN). These were chosen from among fathers who have been active in the Fathers@Schools programme for at least one year.
In his welcome address, Mr Matthew Pereira, Member of FAN, said, “Their (the Ambassadors’) appointment does not mark the start of their hard work. Instead, it will simply be a continuation of the positive change they have been making so far and an acknowledgement of the role that they play within the school community. It is our hope that with their dedication and support, we can reach even more fathers and bring Fathers@Schools to greater heights.”
Guest of Honour, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Mr Hawazi Daipi, agreed that the appointment of the Ambassadors and the successes of the Fathers@Schools programme were in line with the Education Ministry’s push for stronger Home-School partnerships.
In support of his sentiments, Ms Adrienne Burgess, Joint Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Fatherhood Institute in the United Kingdom (UK), presented research findings on the advantages that involved fathers offer to their children’s academic and emotional outcomes.
Patrick Pang (left) and Fred Low, Vice Chairman of Tao Nan School’s Parents Support Group.
It was evident throughout the event that guests were eager to find out what was happening in each other’s schools. They were seen in conversation around the booths and exhibition areas, as well as at the Tea Break cum Networking Session.When asked why he took on the Ambassador role, Mr Patrick Pang, Chairman of the Parents Support Group at Tao Nan School, said, “having benefited and seeing more fathers involved and wanting to be involved in their children’s lives through programmes and activities specially organised for them, it is a privilege to assist others to help other fathers to be involved as well.”
He continued, “The impact the fathers make in a school is indelible – there is nothing that can compare to a child growing up in an environment with a strong presence of father figures that conveys the message that they are interested (despite their busyness or need for rest) and choose to be involved their children - not just their academics but also in their lives and well-being in school, if given opportunities to do so.”
After the Tea Break cum Networking Session, guests gathered for a time of sharing by representatives from various schools.
FAN also announced efforts to enhance the capacity of father volunteers within the schools by training select fathers to deliver the ICAN workshop, using principles adopted from Dr Ken Canfield, founder of the National Center for Fathering in the United States.
The event was brought to a close with the screening of The Little Star, a thought-provoking 20 minute film, directed by Mr Jack Neo. Those who came for the event were among the first in Singapore to receive copies of the short film and training package, a newly developed resource by FAN. The DVD package will be distributed to schools and community agencies in the coming months to allow them to develop activities to discuss the fatherhood issues presented in the film.
Besides having The Little Star DVD in their goodie-bags, the guests went home with a good dose of ideas for another year with Fathers@Schools.
About the Author: The Dads for Life Resource Team comprises local content writers and experts, including psychologists, counsellors, educators and social service professionals, dedicated to developing useful resources for dads.
Student Chan Wei Yao from Gan Eng Seng School, told the audience that he was proud of his father's involvement in his school.