The Victorian Parents Council is building on the successes of 2024 with an exciting year of new initiatives, events, and resources aimed at addressing some of the most pressing challenges in education today.
The Victorian Parents Council Inc (VPC) is a trusted, not-for-profit, volunteer-led organisation dedicated to supporting all parents and students including independent and other non-government schools, across Victoria. Since its founding in 1959, the VPC has been a strong advocate for parents, providing resources, guidance, and a platform to help families navigate the complexities of education. With more than 65 years of experience, the VPC continues to empower parents, ensuring they feel informed, confident, and well-equipped to support their children’s educational journeys.
Continuing our focus: school refusal and engagement
In 2024, school refusal, also referred to as “school can’t,” was a key focus for the VPC. With growing numbers of families navigating this issue, the VPC led a range of events and research projects to better understand and support students struggling to attend school. One of the highlights was the Re-Engaging in Education Forum, which brought together experts, educators, and parents to discuss practical pathways for students facing attendance challenges.
Building on this success, school refusal and attendance will remain a major priority for 2025. The VPC is:
- Inviting forum members to a 2025 #VPCLive Event, where they will present detailed insights and strategies to tackle school refusal.
- Hosting a School Attendance Working Group, in collaboration with forum members, to address school attendance challenges and develop meaningful solutions for parents, students, and schools.
In addition, the VPC is developing a suite of new resources for its members, specifically around school attendance and refusal. These include:
- Factsheets with practical advice and information.
- An e-book to support parents navigating these challenges.
- #VPCLive On Demand – Re-Engaging in Education Forum
Most of these resources will be available exclusively to VPC members, offering parents and educators expert guidance and tools specially designed to support their needs. For non-members, a pay-to-view, On Demand version will also be accessible.
Exciting research collaborations
The VPC is also continuing its work with Deakin University’s Associate Professor Glenn Melvin, a leading expert in school attendance. This partnership includes:
- A collaborative multi-year research project on parent and school staff attitudes and experiences of student school attendance, with results from the first-year survey expected to be published on the VPC website in Term 2.
- A new research project, set to launch soon, aims to develop an understanding of emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA) in autistic students, and contributing factors that are experienced by neurodivergent families through an exploration of stakeholder perspectives.
- In an exciting development, the VPC is proud to announce its involvement in a new initiative also led by Associate Professor Glenn Melvin’s team, to develop a Victorian school attendance web-resource. This cutting-edge resource will provide families with comprehensive information, tools, and strategies to support school attendance across the state.
Expanding our focus in 2025
School refusal/can’t and attendance are still our main focus, but in 2025, the VPC will explore new areas too. We’re excited to launch the #VPCLive “All About Gaming Series”, which will look at how gaming affects students’ mental health, social skills, and school work. Parents will get helpful tips to encourage healthy gaming habits at home. We’re looking forward to having Associate Professor Matt Harrison, from Melbourne University, at our next #VPCLive Event, where he will discuss this important topic for parents, students and educators.
Reflecting on 2024: A year of impact
Last year was a period of growth and success for the VPC, with a range of impactful initiatives that addressed the evolving needs of families in education. Some of the highlights included:
- Re-Engaging in Education Forum: Tackling school refusal and disengagement, this event equipped parents with practical tools to support struggling students.
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Webinar: Featuring mental health experts, this event provided guidance on fostering resilience and managing stress
- Career Pathways Forum: Exploring post-school options with speakers from universities, TAFEs, and industry.
These events, along with our research into topics such as school refusal, mental health, and the transition from tweens to teens, have provided valuable insights and resources for families.
Access the VPC resource library
One of the most valuable offerings of the VPC is our On-Demand Resource Library, which is available with unlimited access to members. This comprehensive collection of videos and resources covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Your child’s education and career
- Children’s safety
- Transitions
- Student health and wellbeing
- Parent engagement and support
The Resource Library is constantly updated with new content, reflecting the latest developments in education and addressing the evolving needs of families. To access the library, parents and educators can pay per view or become VPC members. Membership not only provides full, unlimited access to the Resource Library but also includes VIP access to all 2025 #VPCLive Events. Joining is simple—visit https://vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au/join-us/ to sign up.
Looking Ahead to #VPCLive Events in 2025
The VPC is already planning an exciting lineup of #VPCLive Events for 2025, building on the success of last year’s forums and webinars. These events will continue to address critical topics in education, providing parents with the knowledge and tools they need to support their children’s success.
To stay informed about the latest news and events, parents and educators are encouraged to subscribe to the VPC E-News at https://vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au/e-news/.
More reading: Helping parents navigate the long school journey
