Parent information

Mark Thackray is an independent provider of a range of educational services. He is free to say what teachers would like to say and what needs to be said. This is the best type of advice as it is unbiased and informs immediate action. The articles directly following address issues which parents and others are most worried about.

The articles are written with a simple and sometimes humorous approach but with real concern for children and their families. The way to educational success is not through what is popularly termed ‘hot-housing’ but by protecting childhood with a balanced and thoughtful approach. This is what produces outstanding results.

• Is your child only pretending to read?—take this two minute test!
• How to turn your child into an ape—and how not to
• The big bad screen—and the little bad screen that’s even worse
• The ATAR disappointment—exactly how it happens
• Why parents should say no to some homework
• Why your child needs to climb Mount Everest in his or her pyjamas and without oxygen, and leading a team doing the same thing—and why this is not a joke!
• Wage, salary and income unfairness
• Does getting your child coached really help? Should you…?
• ATAR result not good enough?  Switch to plans B, C, D or E
• Getting your child career smart—almost no-one does—but you can start now
• Choosing your child’s secondary school
• Why children can’t write—and solutions to start on right now