English
Dear Parents and Carers
This term, our school is taking part in the Tell Them From Me student survey. The survey will
provide us with valuable feedback on what our students think about school life, how engaged
they are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them. Schools in
Australia and around the world have used the Tell Them From Me survey to help them improve.
The survey is completed online and is run by an independent research company, The
Learning Bar which specialises in school-based surveys.
Staff in schools will not be able to identify individual students from their responses. To ensure
confidentiality, participating students will receive a unique username and password. Where
fewer than five students respond to a question, the results will be suppressed. The survey
typically takes 30 minutes or less to complete and will be administered by the school during
normal school hours. Once the surveys are completed by students, reports are prepared and in
most cases are available to schools within three business days.
As well as schools getting student feedback, the Department of Education, through the Centre
for Education Statistics and Evaluation (CESE), has access to data from across NSW and is
running a research project to look at state-wide patterns of student wellbeing, engagement and
effective teaching practices. The research is looking at how these things impact on student
outcomes, including academic performance. Individual students will not be identified in any
CESE publications, and all information will be handled in accordance with the relevant privacy
legislation. Students’ personal information will not be disclosed by the department to any other
person or body other than as required by law.
This research will help schools in New South Wales to better understand how to improve
student wellbeing and engagement. It will also help teachers and principals discuss what works
to improve student outcomes.
Participating in the survey is entirely voluntary. Your child will not take part if either you or your
child do not wish. If, during the survey, your child is uncomfortable, he/she can choose to stop
the survey at any time. The majority of questions in the survey can be skipped.
If you do not want your child to take part in the survey, please complete the attached form
and return it to the school by Friday 12th November.
More information about the survey and the research is available in English at
education.nsw.gov.au/ttfm
Deputy Principal
