Family Skills Program (established 2006)

The Family Skills Program is an outreach to parents and began in July 2005. Parents are offered the opportunity to attend a series of informal parenting discussion sessions. Parents choose topics from an available list and these are allocated to a particular week. The program is conducted in schools during terms over a six to seven week period. Principals of schools are the initial point of contact for the instigation of this program in their school. Led by former schools Inspector, Richard Booth the Family Skills program has proved to be popular and effective. 

George Bernard Shaw wrote,

"Perhaps the greatest service that can be rendered by anyone to the country and to mankind is to bring up a family."

With this in mind here at 'Panthers on the Prowl' we set out to extend a helping hand to families in the Penrith District. A course, programme or discussion group called Family Skills is offered by the club.

The programme operates under the following principles.

• "There is no one right way to parent children"
• "Family structure within itself makes little difference to a child's development. What really matters is the quality of the relationships."
• "Parents need to have a range of opportunities to meet and form supportive realtionships with other parents."

 The groups range in size from 6 to around 12 and the programme is for one morning (9.15am - 11.00am) per week over 6 weeks in your local school. Participants have appreciated the time to share, to learn, to laugh and to spend time together. Some topics delivered include; Discipline, Behaviour, Self-esteem, Modern influences etc.; the group chooses the topics from a "hands on" resource booklet.

Principals should contact Panthers on the Prowl Manager, Richard Booth (0247 256400) to arrange an initial consultation if interested in this no-cost initiative.

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