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Focus on Fathers

Resources for schools to engage fathers and father-figures

John Andriunas, Dave Turnidge and Victoria Clay: Fathers in Communities Project, Family Action Centre

We've all heard about the importance of engaging fathers and father-figures in the lives of their children: the "dads' breakfast" has become an almost obligatory part of school life.

But engaging dads is about more than just sizzling a few sausages; in fact, that's the easy part.

What do you do with all those dads once they're at your school?
How do you know what they've got to give?
How do you support dads who volunteer to speak to a class or are prepared to offer their skills to the school?
What sort of projects can you provide that encourage dads to be involved in their children's homework?

The Focus on Fathers CD brings together all the resources, knowledge and experience accumulated by the Fathers in Communities workers during their work in schools around Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, New South Wales. There is information on the hands-on practicalities of organising a dads' breakfast, pro forma documents for the invites and notices you'll need, work sheets for homework projects and the creation of a dads' corner in the classroom, a dads' strengths survey form and more.

If you're thinking about engaging fathers and father-figures more closely in your school's activities, then Focus on Fathers is the resource for you. Packed with useful information, survey sheets, work sheets and links, it sells for just $44.00 plus handling.

To order your copy, contact the Family Action Centre on 02 4921 6403 or email Alison Carter.