Schools today operate in a fast-paced, digital-first world, but many still rely on outdated communication methods—flyers stuffed into student backpacks, last-minute emails, and infrequent social media updates. Sound familiar?
The challenge isn’t just getting information out; it’s ensuring the right messages reach the right people in a way that encourages engagement. Whether it’s parents, students, staff, or the wider community, effective communication builds trust, fosters engagement, and strengthens the school’s reputation.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
The biggest communication mistakes schools make
2025 trends that will shape school communication
Best practices from leading Australian schools
When to bring in professionals to enhance your messaging
Step 1: Understand Your Audience & Their Preferences
Not all communication is created equal. What works for parents won’t work for students, and what engages staff may not be effective for the wider community.
Know Your School’s Key Audiences
Students – Prefer visual, engaging content (Instagram, TikTok, school apps)
Parents – Want timely, clear updates (Emails, SMS, Facebook groups)
Teachers & Staff – Need internal communication tools (Slack, Microsoft Teams)
Wider School Community – Respond to newsletters, website updates, media coverage
Haileybury (VIC) does a great job of communicating with their community consistently. They use a mix of email, a dedicated parent portal, social media, and video content to ensure every stakeholder gets information in the most effective format.
Key Takeaway: Tailor your communication method to your audience’s preferences to boost engagement.
Step 2: Streamline Communication with the Right Digital Tools
In 2025, parents expect real-time updates, students want mobile-friendly content, and staff need efficient communication channels. The key is consolidating communication into user-friendly platforms.
Best Digital Communication Tools for Schools
School Apps (e.g., Compass, Schoolbox, Sentral) – Centralised hub for parents & students
SMS & Push Notifications – For urgent updates & reminders
Email Campaigns (Mailchimp, HubSpot) – For newsletters & important announcements
Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) – For community engagement
Internal Communication (Slack, Microsoft Teams) – For staff collaboration
For example, Loreto Mandeville Hall (VIC) uses a mix of Compass for internal updates, Facebook for community engagement, and a newsletter for in-depth information, ensuring no audience is left out.
Key Takeaway: Adopting the right digital tools reduces confusion, improves efficiency, and ensures clear communication across all groups.
Step 3: Create Clear, Consistent Messaging
One of the biggest communication mistakes schools make is inconsistency—different staff members sending mixed messages, unclear language, or overwhelming parents with excessive emails.
How to Improve School Messaging
Use a unified tone & voice – Ensure all communications align with the school’s values
Set clear guidelines – Define when and how different platforms should be used
Keep messaging concise & structured – Avoid information overload
Have a consistent communication strategy with weekly email digests featuring letters or videos instead of scattered updates, making it easier for parents to keep up.
Key Takeaway: Consistency builds trust. Set guidelines to ensure messaging is clear, concise, and aligned across all channels.
Step 4: Boost Engagement with Interactive Content & Storytelling
Good communication isn’t just about sharing information—it’s about engaging your audience. The best way to do that? Visual storytelling & interactive content.
Ways to Make School Communication More Engaging
Videos – Student interviews, school highlights, event recaps
Polls & Q&As – Let parents & students provide feedback
Live Streams – Virtual parent-teacher nights, school announcements
Behind-the-Scenes Content – Give an authentic glimpse into school life
A great example is Brighton Grammar (VIC). They use engaging videos & student-led content to communicate updates in a relatable, visually appealing way—making information more digestible and shareable.
Key Takeaway: People engage with stories, not just information. Use video, visuals, and interactive content to make school communication exciting.
Step 5: Personalise Communication Wherever Possible
Mass emails and generic messages often get ignored. Schools that personalise their communication see higher engagement and better relationships with parents and students.
How to Personalise School Communication
Segment email lists – Send targeted updates to relevant groups (e.g., Year 7 parents, sports teams)
Use names in messaging – Address parents and students personally in emails and SMS
Celebrate individual achievements – Feature student successes in newsletters & social media
Monash University do this often by segmenting their database based on the funnel journey the prospective student or student is at. They would personalise newsletters with student highlights, targeted updates for different year levels, and direct messaging for parent concerns, improving engagement.
Key Takeaway: People are more likely to engage when communication feels personal and relevant.
Step 6: Manage Crisis Communication Effectively
When unexpected situations arise (e.g., emergencies, COVID-19 updates, sudden policy changes), clear and timely communication is crucial.
Best Practices for Crisis Communication
Have a clear action plan – Define who communicates what and through which channels
Use multiple platforms – Email, SMS, social media, and website updates
Be transparent & reassuring – Provide clear information without causing panic
Use video messaging – A short video from the principal can help humanise important updates
If there's an urgent situation, you ca provide regular, clear updates through emails, live Q&As, and video messages from leadership, maintaining trust and reducing uncertainty.
Key Takeaway: Proactive, transparent communication during a crisis builds confidence and credibility.
Step 7: Know When to Bring in Professional Support
Even with the best internal efforts, schools often struggle to manage communication effectively—especially when it comes to high-quality content creation, branding, and crisis messaging.
When Should a School Engage ONIX Education?
When current communication feels scattered or inconsistent
When video content is needed but no internal expertise exists
When launching a major campaign (e.g., enrolments, rebranding, fundraising)
When a strategic communication plan is required to align all messaging
What ONIX Education Offers:
Video production & storytelling to engage your community
Strategic communication consulting to ensure consistency
Professional social media management for impactful engagement
Conclusion: Stronger Communication Builds Stronger School Communities
In 2025, clear, engaging, and strategic communication is essential for building strong relationships with students, parents, and the wider school community.
Quick Recap of Key Strategies:
✔ Understand your audience – Use the right platforms for each group
✔ Streamline communication tools – Reduce complexity with digital solutions
✔ Maintain consistency – Keep messaging clear, structured, and aligned
✔ Make content engaging – Use video, visuals, and interactive elements
✔ Personalise messages – Tailor communication to different audiences
✔ Manage crises effectively – Plan ahead for emergencies
✔ Work with professionals when needed – High-quality content requires expertise
Ready to elevate your school’s communication? ONIX can help! 🚀 Let’s tell your school’s story the right way.
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