"THE idea is to try to give a sense that the school is part of the community - rather than that the school is here and the community is out here, we're all part of one thing."
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That's what Bathurst West Public principal Darren Denmead said at Tuesday's launch of the Schools as Community Centres at his school.
Under the NSW Government initiative, community engagement activities and programs supporting families with young children will be hosted by the school.
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Mr Denmead said the initiative will target children aged zero to eight.
"It's not just about making them ready for school. It's about getting the community together and helping everybody get ready for school and the school to be ready for the kids," he said.
The reality, he said, is that some parents would not have enjoyed their own time in the education system.
"They don't really like school, they don't trust authority," he said. "But we want them to feel like they belong here, they are welcome, they can come whenever they like."
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The initiative at Bathurst West Public will include a breakfast club running three days a week and health and parenting programs.
"The research is very clear: when the community is involved, kids do better," Mr Denmead said.
