Information for parents
How can I best support my child?
There’s no doubt about it – we all want the best for our children. For their futures to be as bright as possible.
There are lots of things you can do to set your child up for success.
Make sure your child goes to school, every day
Going to school every day gives your child every chance to learn and grow, and connect with their mates and teachers. It’s where bright futures start and where they’ll benefit the most.
Tips to help get your child to school:
- Create a routine.
So everyone knows their tasks in the morning.
- Give yourself enough time.
Just having a bit of breathing space around morning tasks can make a big difference.
- Be on time, every day. Monday to Friday.
They say it takes two months for our brains to create a new habit. So just take it a day at a time.
- Schedule appointments and trips outside of school hours.
This way your child will stay engaged in their learning, and won’t miss out on important schoolwork.
- Get a good night’s sleep.
It’s amazing what a good bit of shut-eye can do to help your child learn and stay engaged with school.
- Set some technology boundaries.
We are all familiar with endlessly scrolling, only to feel exhausted and unmotivated. Why not give a family tech agreement a go?
Get them excited for school!
If you show a positive attitude and excitement towards school, your child will pick up on that.
The most common thing we hear from students, of all ages, is that school is where they can:
- spend time with their friends and teachers
- create new and fun experiences
- find their interests
- learn new things
- open up their options – for whatever future they want (whether that’s their dream job or to travel around the world).
Share these positives with your child.
Talk to your child about school
Open up a conversation with your child about what’s happening at school. It will help you to better support their interests and confidence in learning. If you show an interest in school, they’ll know that getting an education is important and valued.
Load up your information toolbelt
There are more options and pathways available to students now than ever before.
Get the information you need, to support your child to find their right pathway:
- this website (options for students section) – plenty of options to finish school
- Careerify – help to make career decisions
- courses guide – choose the perfect program of learning for Years 11 and 12
- talk to your school – they’re there to help.
Set up a time to talk to your child’s teacher or principal
If you’re struggling to either get your kids to school or guide their learning pathways, support is available. Please talk to your school about your situation.
Know when to seek help
There is no weakness in admitting you need help. If your child has completely disengaged with school, and not attending at all, there is support to help you. Understandably, this is a worrying time for you as a parent or carer. In the first instance, talk to your school. They’ll help you work out some strategies to re-engage your child in their education.
Why turning up matters
Every school day matters. Even just missing one day a fortnight can mean your child misses up to a year and half of their education, between Kindergarten and Year 12.
See what happens when your child misses just…
1 day each fortnight
That equals 20 days per year
Which is 4 weeks per year
… and therefore, from Kindy to Year 12, that is nearly 1½ years of school.
This means the best they can achieve is equal to finishing Year 11.
1 day a week
That equals 40 days per year
Which is 8 weeks per year
… and therefore, from Kindy to Year 12, that is nearly 2½ years of school.
This means the best they can achieve is equal to finishing Year 10.
2 days a week
That equals 80 days per year
Which is 16 weeks per year
… and therefore, from Kindy to Year 12, that is nearly 5 years of learning missed.
This means the best they can achieve is equal to finishing Year 7.
3 days a week
That equals 120 days per year
Which is 24 weeks per year
… and therefore, from Kindy to Year 12, that is nearly 8 years of learning missed.
This means the best they can achieve is equal to finishing Year 6.