EXPERIENCES IN ENGAGING

FATHERS IN MONTFORT JUNIOR

– THE SUCCESS STORY…Mr. Amos Choy

ChairmanMJ Parents’ ConnectionMontfort Junior School

How did the Father's Wing at Montfort Junior BEGIN?

Experiences in engaging fathers in Montfort Junior - The

Success Story… The Father’s Wing started off in 2004 when a new team of Committee Members were formed.

Initiated by the School …wanted more active father involvement in the school. The OBJECTIVES of the Father’s Wing is to spur fathers to be good role models and to be actively involved in the lives of their boys. The ROLE of the Head of Father’s Wing is to spearhead the relevant activities so as to improve bonding between fathers and sons.

Experiences in engaging fathers in Montfort Junior - The

Success Story…What are the MAIN ACTIVITIES being organized to achieve its objective?

Father & Son Street Soccer (2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)

Family Badminton Challenge and Carnival (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)

Father & Son e-Gaming Competition and Carnival (2004, 2005, 2008)

MJ One Minute of FAME (2007)

MJ Amazing Race – Family Edition (Charity Event) (2006)

Xtreme Montfortian (XMEN) Camp (2004)

Experiences in engaging fathers in Montfort Junior - The

Success Story…

Father & Son Street Soccer (2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)

Experiences in engaging fathers in Montfort Junior - The

Success Story…

Family Badminton Challenge & Carnival (2005, 2006, 2007,2008,2009)

Experiences in engaging fathers in Montfort Junior - The

Success Story…

Father & Son e-Gaming Competition and Carnival(2004, 2005, 2008)

FATHER AND SON HAVING FUN AT e-GAMING

Experiences in engaging fathers in Montfort Junior - The

Success Story… MJ One Minute of Fame (2007)

Experiences in engaging fathers in Montfort Junior - The

Success Story…

MJ Amazing Race – FamilyEdition(Charity event) (2006)

Experiences in engaging fathers in Montfort Junior - The

Success Story…SPECIAL PROJECTS:MJ iTech : ) Corner (Xbox )

Corner for boys to play e-games with classmates under the guidance of parents.

Objectives:

1) To create a happier school environment for the boys.

2) Assist boys to be better creative thinkers and cultivating teamwork through gaming.

3) It serves to be a Motivational tool for teachers to reward boys

4) Acts as a Contact point for parents to teach boys about correct gaming habits and Cyber-wellness.

Experiences in engaging fathers in Montfort Junior - The

Success Story…SPECIAL PROJECTS:MJ iTech : ) Corner (Xbox )

WINNING ELEVEN SOCCER - XBOX

Experiences in engaging fathers in Montfort Junior - The

Success Story…What are Important Factors for an effective Father’s Wing.

HEAD of Father’s Wing… a heart with passion and leadership skill to spearhead activities

GOOD STRATEGIES : To have an effective plan to inform, educate, recruit and motivate fathers UNITED and LOVING Fathers who really make it a point to involve themselves in the children’s lives

A SCHOOL that trusts in parents and believes in collaborating with the them

Experiences in engaging fathers in Montfort Junior - The

Success Story…What are your STRATEGIES and Future Plans for Father’s Wing ?

STRATEGIES :

3 prong approach:1) GATHER DATA and CONTACTS by distributing surveys and response slips from primary one parents onwards. (their area of interest and willingness to volunteers themselves)

2) INFORM AND EDUCATE Fathers why and how to be more involved. – Fathering Talks

3) PLAN ACTIVITIES to unite the Fathers

Experiences in engaging fathers in Montfort Junior - The

Success Story…What are your Strategies and Future Plans for Father’s Wing ?

FUTURE PLANS :

1) To create a Father’s Wing NEW IDENTITY with new name and logo. (logo competition)

2) To mass distribute LETTER OF COMMITMENT by fathers for 2010.

3) To set up more INTEREST GROUP activities (bowling, tennis, golf, triathlon, trekking etc)

4)To work closely with and support DADS FOR LIFE MOVEMENT.

Experiences in engaging fathers in Montfort Junior - The

Success Story…What are the CHALLENGES faced by the Father’s Wing ?

Convincing Fathers that they do MAKE A DIFFERENCE in their children’s lives

The Busy Schedules of fathers

Change of appointment, new Job assignments, overseas attachments etc. make volunteerism difficult

Unwillingness to SACRIFICE their time… they have their own commitments.

Experiences in engaging fathers in Montfort Junior - The

Success Story…What are the BENEFITS of having a Father’s Wing in your School?

Father's activities can be better targeted, coordinated and planned

Better unity of fathers – common goal

Additional source of resources which the School can tap on. Fathers can help out in P1 Orientation, Sports Day, Open House, Children and Teacher’s day and Fund raising etc. Role model especially in an ALL BOYS school

Boys feel happier when fathers are involved in helping out in the school

Experiences in engaging fathers in Montfort Junior - The

Success Story…

MY DAD IS MY HERO

Experiences in engaging fathers in Montfort Junior - The

Success Story…

Lets continue to love, lead and cherish every moment with our children.

We CAN’T promise to be the BEST father, but as we CAN promise to learn to be a GOOD FATHER.

God Bless you all …….

THANK YOU …