Talking To Your Child's School At Diagnosis

Key points to remember about your child's education at diagnosis

• it might help to have one key contact person at your child's school to talk to your family
• let your child's school know what information you want to share with staff and other families, and how you wish to stay in touch - the school should follow your lead
• sharing information can help establish a culture of care and support and reduce uncertainty

Why is it a good idea to have a key contact person at your child's school?

You may feel overwhelmed after receiving your child's diagnosis. It might help to have one key contact person at your child's school who you communicate with. This could be the principal, your child's main teacher, their syndicate leader or their favourite teacher. Sometimes it may be a family support coordinator (provided by Child Cancer Foundation). Early on, this key contact person may pass on the best wishes of the school and let your whānau know the school is there to provide support.

The contact person will stay in touch with your family to help your child feel connected with their school or early learning centre. It's important they respect your family's wishes about how much contact you want.

How much information should I share with my child's school?

Some parents don't want to give out much information at first. They may still be finding out about their child's treatment and what it means for their family. But once treatment starts, families usually welcome the opportunity to share information and have contact with teachers and their child's classmates.

School often represents hope for the future for parents and their child who has cancer. Sharing information can help establish a culture of care and support, and reduce uncertainty.

Let the key contact person at your child's school know what information you want to share with staff and other families, and how you wish to stay in touch - they should follow your lead. 

How can the school respect our family's privacy after my child's cancer diagnosis?

Your family may prefer not to share any information about a diagnosis. School staff may find this challenging but it is important they respect your family's request for privacy.

If your family is willing to share information, you can work with the school's key contact person to decide what information to share, and who to share it with. If you have other children at the school, it might be a good idea to tell their teachers, coaches and counsellors about your child's diagnosis. This helps the teachers and other staff members get accurate information rather than relying on guessing and rumours.

How can my child's classmates help? 

When your child is first diagnosed you will be focussed on dealing with the news, what the treatment plan is, and what it means for your family. You may not be thinking a lot about their school or early childhood centre.

Your child's classmates might want to show they are thinking about your child by sending messages of support, such as cards or through online apps like WhatsApp, Snapchat or Facebook messenger. 

The class may also want to start fundraising for your child, but it is best if the key contact person at your child's school talks to you and your whānau first before setting up any kind of fundraising activities.

See more information for educators

See more information for whānau