Parent Concerns

There may be times when parents find they have concerns with their child’s school or education. Gippsland Region encourages parents to raise any issues they have with their school so that they can be dealt with promptly and resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned in the most appropriate manner.

Gippsland Region has developed complaint resolution procedures that provide parents with guidelines to assist them in addressing their concerns. These protocols provide a framework that ensures parent concerns are treated seriously and that all issues raised are addressed promptly and fairly while adhering to high standards of thoroughness and accountability. 

School Complaints Resolution Procedures

Parent concerns or issues are best addressed at the level at which they arise.  Parents should use the following guidelines.

In the first instance:

  1. Contact the school by telephone, diary entry or in writing as soon as any issues or concerns arise.
  2. Request a time to speak with the classroom teacher, coordinator, assistant principal or principal. The school can advise you who will be the most appropriate person to address the matter you have raised.

    Relevant staff at the school are able to explain school policy and Department of Education and Early Childhood Development requirements that may relate to any matters you raise. You can also access a wide range of educational information on the school’s website or the DEECD website.

If the matter you have raised is not addressed after initial contact with the school:

  1. Make an appointment to meet with the principal. Advise the principal that your concern has not been addressed. 

    It is the principal’s role and obligation to follow up on all parent concerns and to keep communication open. The principal will investigate the issue and consider all options to determine appropriate action for a satisfactory outcome. 

    Remember: you have one side of an issue and others may have another version.

    After meeting with the principal you may need to:
    • continue to monitor the situation
    • be available for further discussions with appropriate people at the school
    • consider the support of other agencies such as Student Support Service Officers .

If the matter is still unresolved:

  1. Contact the Gippsland Region (link to Contact Us page). The office of the Deputy Regional Director for your school can provide additional advice and support in order to seek a positive solution.

All issues must ultimately be resolved at the school level and the principal is the key person in seeking a satisfactory outcome. Schools and the Gippsland Region are committed to resolving all concerns sensitively and with a commitment to listen and respond positively to all parent concerns. 

Additional information can be found on the Department’s Parent Complaints webpage.