The Parents’ Association in a school works with the principal, staff and board of management to build effective co-operation and partnership between home and school.
The Education Act of 1998 sets out two broad tasks for a parents association which are:

  •  to advise the Principal or the Board on matters relating to the school
  •  to adopt a programme of activities which will promote the involvement of  parents in the operation of the school, in  consultation with the principal.

While all parents of pupils of a school are members of the parents association, the majority do not need to be involved in the day-to-day activities of the association. Usually the parents association will elect a committee who manage the responsibilities of the parent association on behalf of all the parents.

The following are some of the activities in which the Parents Associations might be involved:

  • Organising information/social events for new parents to the school
  • Providing support/organisational input to major school events,e.g. Graduation Mass, the School Opera, the Spring Recital, Open Night
  • Channelling parents views on school policy issues to the Principal/Board
  • Contributing to school newsletter
  • Organising Fund Raising Events for the school