Parent teacher interviews are a time to find out the academic and social progress of your child. The meetings are usually about 10 – 15 minutes for primary aged children. For high school, parents are allocated 5 minutes to see each teacher and often there are about 10 teachers. So it’s important to prepare the questions you wish to ask your child’s teacher.

Some questions to consider:

• How is my child progressing academically and socially?
• How did my child perform in tests and assessments?
• Any areas for improvement?
• How much homework do you suggest my child do each night?
• How can I help my child with school work at home?

Other discussion points could be around:

• Concerns you have about your child and whether your child has any learning needs, such as ADHD or attends speech therapy.
• Family issues or anxiety in your child that may affect them at school, so the teacher is better informed to assist your child. 
• If you feel your child is struggling academically or socially, ask what services at the school could help your child. 

If you don’t fully understand any responses from the teacher, ask them to clarify further. Or if more information is required, make a separate appointment with the teacher to have a longer discussion about your child’s needs.

Attending these interviews helps to build rapport with your child’s teacher so you can work together to support your child. They are also helpful to learn about the school’s expectations and rules, so everyone is clear about what is expected.

The Northern Centre offers a range of parenting programs that provide parents with the extra skills needed to help with raising their families. Government funding means many of the programs are delivered at no cost. They can also offer childcare for the duration of the program (booking essential). For more information on the courses offered by The Northern Centre you can contact them at:

Phone: 9334 0111

Email: connect@thenortherncentre.org.au

Website: www.thenortherncentre.org.au

Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed and Fri 8.30am – 4.30pm, Thu 8.30am – 7.30pm