Ways to get involved
With the Ministry of Education’s support, New Zealand schools are set up to give the community a say in deciding how their school works. You are encouraged to have a close relationship with your child’s school and help support their learning at home.
Here are some ways you can support your child’s learning:
- get to know your child’s teacher and principal. Share any concerns and ideas and get feedback on your child’s progress
- attend parent-teacher interviews
- read school newsletters and attend school events if possible
- talk to your child regularly about how what they’ve learned at school and what they’re finding easy or hard
- ask about homework set by the teacher and what you can do to help
- have your say on any school consultation issues/topics
- get to know who is on your school’s board of trustees (they have regular meetings and must listen to what parents want )
- participate by voting in the three-yearly elections of the board of trustees
- consider attending a board meeting if you are interested in standing for election on the board of trustees
- let the school know if you are able to volunteer or be a parent help
- find out if the school has a parent group such as a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) that you can join
- check with your school to see how else you might be involved