As dynamic, living and evolving communities, schools are fertile ground for conflict. In fact, many of the qualities that make for an enriched school environment—such as differences in personality, perspectives, backgrounds, cultures and lived experiences—can also give rise to conflict.

Whether it involves teachers, students, parents, or other members of the school community, unresolved or ignored conflict can lead to anxiety, disrupt learning, damage relationships and ultimately undermine a school’s culture.

What sets a school apart, however, is its willingness to accept conflict as a natural part of school life and to foster a culture that encourages its community to engage with conflict in a way that promotes growth, understanding, open communication and stronger connections.

A whole school approach to conflict

The PARC Program takes a whole school approach to conflict. Through education, training and skills development, students, teachers and parents can learn how to experience conflict as a vehicle for understanding, connection and growth. 

Anchored by the four pillars of Pause, Acknowledge, Reflect, and Connect, PARC nurtures a transformative approach to conflict that is embedded across the school through shared language, knowledge and skill-building.

By aligning learning and development with these pillars students, teachers and parents gain the tools to shift their conflict mindsets, enhance confidence, analyse conflict situations and adopt a future-focused approach that encourages collaboration and problem-solving leading to lasting change.

The PARC Program offers training, teaching and skills development in the following ways:

Teacher workshops & training

Through interactive, tailored workshops and support materials, teachers and staff are introduced to key concepts and strategies for transforming their experience and management of conflict. This training encourages educators to view conflict as an opportunity for constructive conversation, collaborative problem-solving and deeper connection. By fostering empathy and building meaningful relationships, teachers can help create a school culture that embraces conflict as a force for growth and development.

One-on-one coaching for teachers

The PARC Program offers one-on-one coaching providing personalised and practical support to help teachers manage conflict challenges with greater confidence and clarity. Tailored to each teacher’s unique experience, goals and desired outcomes, coaching sessions offer an opportunity for teachers to reflect on their own conflict experience, habits and beliefs. Through this personalised process, teachers develop practical strategies and skills to approach conflict with more meaning and intent, helping them turn difficult situations into opportunities for growth and understanding.

Student learning curriculum

The PARC Program also offers comprehensive teacher resources including: lesson plans and engaging student activities designed for lower, middle and senior secondary students. The student curriculum introduces essential knowledge and tools to help students navigate conflict with self-awareness and confidence. By building these skills students gain lifelong abilities to work through conflict in their personal and professional lives, preparing them for future challenges with resilience and understanding.

A framework for supporting students in conflict

The PARC Program introduces a flexible framework to help teachers guide students through peer conflicts effectively. Recognising that each student brings their own unique experiences and perspectives, teachers learn adaptable interventions to support conflict resolution.

This framework encourages students to take ownership of their conflict situations fostering a sense of agency and independence. It also helps them develop important skills in self-reflection and empathy, while teaching them how to analyse conflicts from multiple perspectives. Students are equipped with essential skills in communication, problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration, enabling them to consciously connect, listen and work towards a plan for the future.

Engaging parents

The PARC parent engagement program plays a crucial role in fostering a whole-school approach to conflict. It brings parents into the ongoing conversation about how conflict is experienced and managed within the school community, ensuring a cohesive approach across all fronts. 

Through psychoeducation sessions, written materials, webinars and other tailored assistance, parents are guided to understand and support the school’s conflict strategies. This unified approach ensures that students experience consistent support when experiencing and navigating conflict, both at school and at home. With this shared framework, students gain the tools and strategies needed to handle conflicts constructively, fostering skills that will benefit them not only in school but throughout their lives.

Conclusion

Investing in a culture of conflict transformation and competency in schools is not just about managing disputes. It’s about building a foundation for rich social interactions, resilience, effective communication, collaboration and connection – skills that are essential beyond the classroom and  improve student and staff wellbeing, while preparing young people for the complexities of life beyond school.

To learn more about how the PARC Program can help your school contact us at:

Email: [email protected]