Ongoing communication with your child’s school builds strong relationships. These relationships nurture a supportive partnership and help establish shared responsibility for your child.
Below you will find more information about some of the digital communication tools your school may use.
New in 2024: EdSmart Communications Platform
EdSmart is a new communications tool being introduced in 2024.
What are we using it for and when will my school start?
At first, EdSmart will be used to help you report to your school if your child is absent. Some schools may use the system for other messaging.
We are aiming to have all Tasmanian Government Schools using the EdSmart system by the end of Term 1, 2024. Schools will be gradually start using the system over this time.
How will it work for absentee notifications and responses?
You will be sent an email or SMS notification with a link to a secure online version of an absentee response form.
These links can be accessed on your phone, tablet or computer at your convenience.
What about Privacy & Data Security?
All of the data you submit in the forms is held in a secure database only accessible to authorised DECYP, school staff and EdSmart personnel.
EdSmart is accredited to Australian information security standards.
Who do I contact for more information?
Please contact your school if you have any questions about EdSmart, and how your school is using EdSmart.
Social media
Schools that do have social media use these platforms to promote events and celebrate the achievements of children and young people.
Your school may have a Facebook and/or an Instagram account.
Quick tip: Pages, Profiles, and Accounts
- A Facebook page is used by businesses, organisations, charities, schools, brands etc.
- A Facebook profile is for an individual person.
- An Instagram account is for individuals as well as businesses, organisations, charities, schools, brands etc.
If you have a Facebook profile or Instagram account, you can search for your child’s school and follow them. An official Tasmanian Government school social media account will clearly state: “This page is run by the Department for Education, Children and Young People”.
If you are unsure which account to follow, check with your child’s school.
Ways you might use Facebook or Instagram to communicate with your child’s school:
- Liking a post is a positive way to show that you have seen and like the picture or information being shared. You can do this on Facebook by clicking on the “thumbs up” icon and on Instagram by clicking the “heart” icon.
- Sharing a school post is a way to show other people what the school has posted. You can do this by clicking “share” and choosing who you want to share the post with.
Quick tip: Messaging on social media
Sending a direct message on social media to your child’s school is not recommended, especially if you need a quick response. School social media accounts are not monitored 24 hours a day and there might be a delay in response.
How to sign up to Facebook or Instagram
If you don’t have a Facebook profile and you would like to sign up, you can create your profile with an email address.
Further instructions can be found on the Facebook help page: Creating an account – Facebook Help Centre.
You can also find out about adjusting your Facebook profile privacy settings: Facebook Help Centre.
If you don’t have an Instagram account and you would like to sign up, you can create your profile with an email address.
Further instructions can be found on the Instagram help page: Create an Instagram account | Instagram Help Centre.
You can also find out about adjusting your Instagram privacy settings: Safety tips | Instagram Help Centre.
Quick tip: Signing up age
Users must be 13 years or older to have a Facebook profile or Instagram account.
Communicating with email
When your child enrols in school, you are required to provide a contact email address. This email address will be used for school email communications.
Speak to your child’s school if you are not sure which email address they have on file or if you want to update it.
Do you need to create your own email address?
There are many options for creating your own email address. Some free options are:
- Microsoft Outlook: How to create a free Microsoft Outlook email account
- Google: How to create a Gmail account
- Yahoo: Sign up for a Yahoo account
Emails from your child’s school
Your child’s school may use email to communicate:
- School newsletters
- Permission forms
- Updates on your child’s progress
- Community information such as bus timetables
Sending emails to your child’s school
You can find the email address for each Tasmanian Government schools in the School Directory.
Quick tip: Sending emails
If you email your child’s school it is a good idea to include your child’s name, class and teachers name in the email subject. This helps the school make sure the right teachers get your email.
Some teachers may prefer you email them directly. Please check with your child’s school to confirm what is preferred.
Your child’s student email address
Your child is assigned a student email address when they enrol in a Tasmanian Government school. Each school decides the appropriate time to activate student email addresses for their students. Once it is active, the email address will be firstname.lastname@education.tas.gov.au.
You can reset your child’s student email address password by clicking on this link: https://accountreset.education.tas.gov.au/.
If you still need help, contact your child’s school directly.