Family - School Communication: How to Build and Maintain It

In May 2023, Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) commissioned a research study titled Family - School Communication: How to Build and Maintain It.

The study was initiated to understand the importance of effective communication between schools and families, particularly in the context of student outcomes. The research follows previous CSPA studies, such as the Parent Perspectives on Student Wellbeing and Learning (2022) and the Review of the Impact of COVID-19 on School Students with Disability (2023).

These studies identified concern among families regarding the quality and extent of communication between schools and families, prompting CSPA to investigate further.

The study aimed to explore why effective communication is crucial, why it remains challenging, and how teachers are prepared for engaging with parents.

Evidence was gathered through interviews and focus groups with parents, teachers, and principals, highlighting communication practices that effectively support family engagement. The study was conducted in collaboration with state and territory Catholic School Parent groups. A cross-section of 46 schools, representing diverse demographics and priority populations, was selected, although only 41 schools were able to participate. These schools included a mix of primary, secondary, and CARE / Flexi schools, and were located in capital cities, regional, and rural/remote areas across Australia with the exception of the Northern Territory.

The findings garnered from the interviews are presented as insights from the three stakeholder groups, many in the words of the interviewees themselves which highlight what works to create effective communication which builds relationships. The themes which emerge from interviews include:

• the importance of effective school-family communication
• school culture which informs parent engagement
• communication that builds relationships
• school-family engagement for learning – the power of 3
• the key role of principals and teachers
• communication that finds families
• multiple channels of communication
• strategic approaches to finding the right mix of communications
• insights from priority parent groups
• how teachers are prepared for family engagement