Why parent voice matters 

Encouraging parent and carer voice is one of the core roles of a P&C. It’s not an add-on. It sits at the heart of why P&Cs exist. 

When parent voice is heard and considered: 

• P&C decisions are better informed 
• schools have a clearer understanding of community perspectives 
• trust and connection across the school community are strengthened 

Parent voice matters not just for what the P&C does, but for the health of the whole school community. 

What we mean by “parent voice” 

Parent voice includes: 

• sharing experiences, ideas and perspectives 
• raising issues that affect groups of students or families 
• contributing to discussions about priorities and opportunities 
• providing feedback on school or P&C initiatives 

P&Cs focus on collective issues, not individual complaints. The role of the P&C is to listen for patterns, themes and shared concerns, and to bring those forward constructively. 

The P&C’s role in sharing parent voice 

P&Cs play an important role in listening, organising and sharing parent voice. 

This happens in two key ways. 

Supporting communication with the school 

P&Cs can: 

• raise themes or concerns with the principal or school leadership 
• provide feedback from parents and carers on school-wide issues 
• help the school understand how decisions are experienced by families 

This role works best when there is mutual respect, clear boundaries and regular communication between the P&C and the school. 

Contributing to system-level conversations 

Some issues go beyond a single school. Where concerns appear to be systemic, P&Cs can raise these with ACT Parents. 

This helps: 

• identify patterns across schools 
• inform advocacy and policy discussions 
• ensure parent and carer perspectives are heard at a system level 

P&Cs don’t need to resolve everything on their own. Sharing issues through ACT Parents is part of strengthening public education collectively. 

Ways parent voice can be gathered and shared 

Different approaches suit different communities. Common options include: 

• P&C meetings, with clear agenda items 
• surveys or feedback tools 
• forums or information sessions 
• informal conversations and check-ins 

Using a mix of approaches helps ensure more voices are heard, including those who can’t attend meetings regularly. 

Being clear about scope and influence 

Encouraging parent voice works best when there is clarity about what the P&C can and cannot influence. 

Good practice includes being upfront about: 

• whether input is for information, discussion or decision 
• what sits within the P&C’s role 
• what decisions rest with the school or other bodies 
• how issues may be progressed or escalated 

Clear boundaries help manage expectations and support respectful, constructive engagement. 

Following up and keeping people informed 

Listening is important, but so is follow-up. 

Good practice includes: 

• acknowledging what you’ve heard 
• explaining what action has been taken, or why something can’t progress 
• sharing updates with the community where appropriate 
• thanking people for contributing 

Keeping people informed builds trust and encourages ongoing participation, even when outcomes aren’t what everyone hoped for. 

Related resources 

• P&C and principal collaboration 
• Setting P&C goals 
• P&C member representative role 
• Communicating your P&C’s work 

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