their work, but also strengthens the partnership between home and school. When parents and teachers work together with empathy and respect, students benefit most.

Communication expectations and time pressures

In today’s schools, teachers do much more than deliver lessons. They are mentors, administrators, counsellors, and communicators, often all in one day. The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) reports that full-time teachers regularly work well beyond standard hours, averaging more than 50 hours per week, with roughly four hours dedicated to parent and carer communication alone.

The same report found the time dedicated specifically to communicating with parents/carers is non-trivial: in 2023, classroom teachers spent on average about 4.5 hours per week on parent/carer communication in primary settings (and around 4.1 hours in secondary).

These additional responsibilities come from a genuine commitment to keeping parents informed and students supported. However, constant communication, through emails, apps, or meetings, adds significant pressure to already demanding workloads. Teachers must balance lesson preparation, assessment, co-curricular commitments, and wellbeing support alongside maintaining regular parent contact.

For parents, recognising this can make a big difference. Following expectations about how and when communication occurs, and acknowledging that teachers manage many competing priorities, helps create mutual respect.

Parental engagement and differing expectations

Research consistently shows that meaningful family engagement enhances both academic performance and wellbeing. According to AITSL’s Strengthening parent engagement to improve student outcomes report (2024), 89% of parents feel supported by their child’s school, and 93% say they can easily approach teachers. However, this engagement also highlights a key element of the challenges facing teachers – the need to meet very different expectations from families.

Some parents seek detailed updates on their child’s progress and expect frequent communication, while others are less available due to work or personal circumstances. Teachers must find the right balance, ensuring each family feels informed and included, without compromising teaching time.

When expectations differ, tensions can arise. A parent might expect immediate replies or constant feedback, while a teacher, managing dozens of students, may need time to respond thoughtfully. Parents can support the process by asking clear questions, such as:
“What’s the best way for me to stay informed?” or “How often will progress updates be shared?”

This ensures everyone is aligned and helps teachers dedicate their limited time to what matters most – their child’s learning.

Behavioural issues, additional needs and home-school alignment

Another of the challenges facing teachers relates to behaviour and the growing diversity of student needs. Today’s classrooms are vibrant, multicultural, and inclusive spaces, accommodating students with a wide range of abilities, learning styles and wellbeing needs. Teachers often coordinate learning adjustments, manage behaviour plans, and liaise with psychologists, speech pathologists or support staff, all while ensuring every child feels valued and capable.

A 2022 study published in The Australian Educational Researcher found that consistent communication between home and school significantly improves student behaviour and learning outcomes. When teachers and parents send the same messages about routines, respect, and responsibility, children experience consistency, which in turn strengthens classroom harmony.

Parents can contribute by asking teachers how best to reinforce school expectations at home. When both environments share the same language and approach, it helps children feel supported and secure, reducing behavioural stress for teachers and enhancing student success.

Boundaries and digital communication

Technology has made it easier than ever for parents and teachers to connect, but it has also blurred the boundaries of time and accessibility. Between email, school apps and learning portals, communication can now happen anywhere, anytime. While that flexibility benefits families, it can also extend the school day well into the evening for teachers.

The Australian Education Union’s 2023 workload survey found that over half of Australian teachers said their work–life balance had worsened due to increased after-hours communication. The line between personal and professional time is harder to maintain, contributing to fatigue and burnout.

Parents can help by respecting the communication boundaries set by schools, for example, only contacting teachers during school hours or through official channels. Acknowledging that teachers need downtime too helps ensure they can bring energy and focus to their students each day.

The growing complexity of teaching

Teaching has evolved into one of the most complex professions in the country. Beyond curriculum delivery, teachers now integrate technology, differentiate lessons, support mental health, foster inclusion, monitor data, and meet compliance requirements.

A 2025 University of New South Wales study found that Australian teachers experience stress and anxiety rates three times higher than the national average, largely due to workload and role complexity. The study highlighted that non-teaching tasks, including administrative and pastoral responsibilities, have expanded rapidly in the past decade.

Parents sometimes see the end result – the classroom lesson, the excursion, the report – without realising the hours of planning, reflection, and professional development that underpin it. Understanding this reality helps parents approach discussions with teachers from a place of empathy and shared purpose. It’s not a matter of doing less, but of recognising that teachers are juggling enormous responsibilities while striving to give every child their best.

How parents can make a difference

While teachers shoulder much of the responsibility for student learning, the relationship with parents can make all the difference. Here are a few ways families can support teachers and strengthen collaboration:

• Communicate respectfully and constructively by focusing on shared goals for your child.
• Be mindful of response times and communication channels.
• Reinforce positive learning habits and behaviour at home.
• Acknowledge teachers’ hard work – gratitude builds trust and morale.
• Engage actively in your child’s learning, but respect professional boundaries.

When parents and teachers operate as partners, the whole learning ecosystem thrives. Students see adults modelling cooperation and respect – lessons that are just as valuable as anything taught in the classroom.

At All Saints Grammar, an independent co-ed school for PreKinder to Year 12, we believe in celebrating the dedication and professionalism of teachers, not just on World Teachers’ Day, but every day of the year. Our educators work closely with families to create supportive, collaborative relationships where every child feels known and valued.

We understand that teaching is a partnership. Our goal is to make communication open, respectful and purposeful, ensuring parents are informed and engaged without adding unnecessary pressure to the teaching process. To discover how All Saints Grammar nurtures strong connections between home and school, visit our website.