About the survey

The NSW Public Schools Student Survey asks students about their experiences at school. Key topics in the survey include sense of belonging, teaching practices and engagement.

The survey takes around 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

Explaining the survey to your child

• Your child will be filling out an online survey called the NSW Public Schools Student Survey.
• This survey is an opportunity for your child to let their school know how they are going at school.
• The survey will ask your child how engaged they are with their learning, whether they feel supported at school, and more.
• Your child’s responses are confidential, which means the school and their teachers will not know how they have answered.
• Please encourage your child to answer as honestly as they can. There are no right or wrong answers. The school wants to hear what students think, and responses will help to improve their school and better understand student needs.
• If your child doesn’t understand a question, they can ask their teacher for help.
• Your child can skip any question they don’t want to answer.
• If your child feels distressed while completing the survey, they can speak to their teacher or the school counsellor/psychologist. At the end of the survey, there is also the contact information for the Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) and a link to make a report to the eSafety Commissioner if your child is experiencing cyberbullying.

Who the department may share information with

Only grouped results from this analysis and research may be made public through the department’s publications, with all identifying information removed.

The department will not disclose your child’s personal information to any other person or body, except:

• when you have given your consent
• where authorised to do so by law.

Protecting your child’s information

The department will only keep information for as long as the department needs it to fulfil the purposes it was collected it for. After this, the information will be disposed of securely in accordance with the State Records Act 1998 and any other applicable legislation.

The department’s privacy management plan details the department’s practices and procedures for handling personal and health information. It can be accessed from the department’s website. Concerns about the collection or handling of personal or health information should initially be raised with your school’s principal.