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Supporting Positive Relationships During Challenging Times

Supporting positive relationships during challenging times

School experiences aren’t always smooth. Times of change, stress or uncertainty can make communication between families and schools more challenging. Maintaining positive relationships during these periods helps everyone stay focused on what matters most: supporting students. 

Why this matters 

When relationships become strained, even small issues can feel overwhelming. Stress, emotion and urgency can make conversations harder and reduce trust on both sides. 

Strong relationships during challenging times: 

  • Help keep communication open 
  • Reduce misunderstandings 
  • Support better outcomes for students 
  • Make it easier to resolve issues constructively 

Positive relationships don’t mean avoiding difficult conversations. They mean approaching them thoughtfully and respectfully. 


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Common challenging situations +

Parents and carers may find communication more difficult during:

  • Transitions between year levels or schools .
  • Changes in teachers or school leadership .
  • Behaviour or wellbeing concerns
  • Periods of heightened stress for students or families
  • Changes to school routines or policies

These moments often require extra care and patience from everyone involved.



Strategies that help +

During challenging times, it can help to:

  • Pause and reflect before responding
  • Focus on the issue, not the emotion behind it
  • Keep communication clear and factual
  • Acknowledge the perspectives of school staff
  • Agree on next steps and review points

Taking a steady approach can prevent situations from escalating unnecessarily.

Looking after yourself +

Advocating for a child can be emotionally demanding. It’s okay to:

  • Take a break before responding
  • Ask for time to consider options
  • Seek advice or support
  • Bring a support person with you to a meeting

Looking after yourself helps you advocate more effectively

When to reset or repair communication +

If communication has become strained:

  • Acknowledge the difficulty
  • Restate shared goals for the student .
  • Ask how communication can improve going forward
  • Consider involving a different staff member or support person

Resetting communication can help rebuild trust and move things forward

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Authorised by Veronica Elliott for ACT Parents

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