Your school and the teachers value and appreciate open lines of communication which results in the best care and support for your child. Family and school communication that fosters a partnership approach is seen as an open and respectful two-way exchange between families and schools.  

Schools provide many opportunities to communicate and meet with parents through regular school newsletters, websites, emails, mobile alerts and formal meetings, such as parent teacher meetings and information nights.  

There are also process for you to contact the school and speak with your child’s teacher or members of the school leadership team.

Tips for Building Relationships in your School Community

• Get to know the names of the principal, and other relevant staff at your child’s school.
• Give the school your individual contact information.
• Make sure you are receiving online communication as well as your partner if you are a couple.
• Find out the procedures for communicating with your school.   

Ensure you diary date all the important events for your child’s year and block them out the first week back – this will help you plan to be an active and engaged father in your child’s education at school – you might ask why is this important?

Our research at The Fathering Project shows that:

• Fathers’ involvement has shown to have a stronger influence than mothers’ involvement on children getting high grades.
• Children do better in school when their fathers are involved in their school, regardless of whether their fathers live with them or apart.
• Children whose fathers participate in school activities, meetings and events are less likely to have behaviour issues and are more likely to participate in extracurricular activities and enjoy school more. 

Having good communication with your child’s teacher and other school staff will help you get to know what your child is learning and how they are going. It will help you work together if your child needs some extra support and will help you celebrate with your child when they do well.

Top Tips for Communication

• Meet the teacher – Get to know your child’s teacher and show you are involved and want to stay in touch.
• Find out the best way to get in touch if you have questions.
• Share feedback about your child’s experience of starting school with the teacher/s.
• After the first weeks make an appointment to see the teacher/s to discuss how your child has settled in.
• Write a note to the teacher if you have information in the morning just in case the teacher is busy.
• Make an appointment if you want to have a conversation with the teacher.
• Pick your times. Remember the teacher has a class of students and lessons to organise in the morning, so a conversation will probably be difficult at this time.
• Don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns.