To ensure that the school keeps you informed of your grandchild’s progress, you will need to provide written evidence that you are the child’s primary carer.

Education in Queensland

KEEPING INFORMED

In order to ensure that the school keeps you informed of your grandchild’s progress, and that you are contacted in emergencies, you will need to provide written evidence that you are the child’s primary carer.

• If you have been awarded legal responsibility for the child, provide the school with this documentation.
• If you have acquired responsibility for the child through an informal arrangement, the child’s parent/s need to give written authorisation and notification to the school, confirming that they agree to you being the primary carer and point of contact for educational matters.
• If you are unable to provide a letter of authority from the child’s parent/s, you should discuss the circumstances with the School Principal.

In some cases, family circumstances change frequently, and parental responsibility for a child may alternate between grandparents and parents. You may need to take over the care of your grandchild for weeks or months at a time. During those times when your grandchildren are in your care, the school may provide you with information about the children if you have complied with the points listed above.
It will also help to establish and maintain a relationship with the school, through regular, open and respectful communication. In particular, let the school know about changes in the child’s circumstances, such as residence and other arrangements. There are many formal and informal opportunities for parents or caregivers to find out about the school and their child’s progress.

Some of these include:

• School website
• Newsletters
• Reports on student performance - Schools provide reports to parents or caregivers at the end of each semester to inform them of their child’s progress.
• Letters - Schools often communicate information about specific issues relating to a student by way of a personal letter, usually sent home with the student.
• Personal appointments - Parents or caregivers are encouraged to meet with any staff member at a mutually convenient time at their child’s school to discuss relevant issues and concerns. From 2006, every school must offer parent-teacher interviews each semester.
• Parent-teacher nights - Schools often hold these nights at the start of the year to discuss class or year programs with parents or caregivers. There are also opportunities to talk about issues or concerns and to ask how children are performing and progressing at school.