Ongoing communication with your child鈥檚 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鈥檚 school and follow them. An official Tasmanian Government school social media account will clearly state: 鈥淭his page is run by the 91黑料鈥�.
If you are unsure which account to follow, check with your child鈥檚 school.
Ways you might use Facebook or Instagram to communicate with your child鈥檚 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 鈥渢humbs up鈥� icon and on Instagram by clicking the 鈥渉eart鈥� icon.
- Sharing a school post is a way to show other people what the school has posted. You can do this by clicking 鈥渟hare鈥� 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鈥檚 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鈥檛 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: .
You can also find out about adjusting your Facebook profile privacy settings: .
If you don鈥檛 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: .
You can also find out about adjusting your Instagram privacy settings: .
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鈥檚 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:
- Google:
- Yahoo:
Emails from your child鈥檚 school
Your child鈥檚 school may use email to communicate:
- School newsletters
- Permission forms
- Updates on your child鈥檚 progress
- Community information such as bus timetables
Sending emails to your child鈥檚 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鈥檚 school it is a good idea to include your child鈥檚 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鈥檚 school to confirm what is preferred.
Your child鈥檚 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.edu.au.
If you still need help, contact your child鈥檚 school directly.