When things go wrong or don’t feel right
There may be times when you are concerned your child’s needs are not being met or you’re worried about something that’s happening with your child at school. Talk things through with the key people who work with your child, starting with their classroom teacher. It's important that you talk to school staff as soon as any problem arises.
Before you talk to your child’s teacher, you may feel better talking to your family/whānau, a friend, a community or support organisation, a Kaumatua or Iwi representative or a Special Education staff member or Kaitakawaenga you’re comfortable with.
If you’ve discussed the problem with the staff who work closest to your child and you’re still worried, find out through the school who to talk to – a senior staff member or principal or deputy principal. The Ministry of Education also provides special education facilitators if you need an impartial person to help work through issues. Resolving problems at school has more information to guide you.
What if my child is being bullied?
Bullying is a form of abuse – it is harmful and it is not okay. All good schools will have a policy on how they will deal with bullying. The school’s charter, which is the agreement between the school’s trustees and the Minister of Education, requires the school to "provide a safe physical and emotional environment".
If you suspect your child is being bullied you need to raise this issue with your child’s teacher or another relevant member of staff, such as a school counsellor or the principal.
What if the school is sending my child home?
If the school wants to send your child home early, for example, when a teacher's aide is not around, or has told you that your child can only attend for certain hours, and this differs from their classmates, then they may be breaching the Education Act (1989). You should discuss this with the school principal.
Special Education needs to know when schools are not meeting their legal obligations. Your child has the right to be at school full time.
Some children may find it a struggle to be at school full time. You, the school, and any specialists must all agree to your child initially attending school for fewer hours each week. This must be the right thing for your child.