As a parent or carer you play a vital role in your child’s learning. Building a positive relationship between home and school plays an important part in the education of your child. Effective communication is the key to the success of this relationship. Schools are committed to responding promptly and helpfully to your enquiries, concerns, suggestions and compliments. Your school also provides information about support services for children with disability, intensive language classes, special programs, and its policies and procedures.

Where do you start?

Before contacting your school with an enquiry or concern you may want to:

• talk with family and friends to clarify your enquiry/concern
• write down your enquiry/concern
• make a list of all relevant information specific to your enquiry/concern
• take a support person with you if you feel nervous about talking about your enquiry/concern.

The next step is to make an appointment with the most appropriate person at your school. Alternatively, you can write to the school. Enquiries/concerns received in writing are responded to in writing.

• Discuss your enquiry or concern with the class teacher if it is about your child’s:
• academic progress
• general behaviour
• homework
• assessment
• attendance
• social or emotional wellbeing.

In your discussion with the teacher:

• give all relevant information
• discuss all possible outcomes for addressing your enquiry/concern
• settle on an option that can be achieved with input from you, the teacher and your child.

• Discuss your enquiry or concern with one of the administration team and the teacher if:
• you were not able to achieve a satisfactory arrangement regarding your enquiry/concern with the class teacher
• your enquiry/concern is about the conduct of a teacher or another member of the school staff
• your enquiry/concern is about another aspect of school life that is impacting on your child’s education.

The administration representative will need time to discuss your enquiry with all relevant parties and gather as much detail as is possible prior to meeting. You are always welcome to contact the school for progress updates.

Your enquiry/concern will be managed according to established Education Department policy and procedures.

Anonymous enquiries will only be acted upon if the information provided affords one of the administration team the opportunity to make additional enquiries.