With the new school year just one week away, the National Parenting Support Commission ,(NPSC), is appealing to parents to remain closely connected with their children, especially those preparing to enter high school.

The transition from primary to secondary school is a significant milestone. It brings heightened academic expectations, exposure to new peer groups and the challenge of adjusting to a different social environment. According to the NPSC, this is precisely the stage when children need their parents’ steady presence, guidance and emotional support.

“Transitioning to high school can be both exciting and overwhelming for students,” notes Kaysia Kerr, Chief Executive Officer of the NPSC. “It is at this stage that children need their parents most: listening, guiding and staying connected.”

The Commission stresses that strong parental involvement helps children feel secure, make better choices and adjust more confidently to the demands of their education life journey. Staying connected also keeps communication open, allowing parents to identify challenges early while providing encouragement and reassurance.

To strengthen this connection, the NPSC continues to offer Parenting Education Sessions (PES), designed to equip parents with strategies for effective communication and balance at home. Yet, as the agency reminds, connection goes beyond the home. Parents are encouraged to set high expectations, discuss them with their children and work in partnership with schools. Research consistently shows that when parents maintain a positive relationship with the school, students behave better and achieve more academically.

This partnership becomes especially important during the teenage years. At this stage, peers exert a powerful influence, as teenagers may feel a deep need for social acceptance. The NPSC is urging parents to be mindful of this, to validate their children’s feelings and to listen with the aim of guiding rather than dismissing. Conversations should never be a trap but an opportunity to build trust and offer direction.

To support this, the NPSC has encouraged schools to adopt its Model for Parental Involvement in Education, which goes beyond attendance at events and fundraising. The model positions parents as active partners in the education life journey of their children. This includes asking about the curriculum to better support learning at home, joining projects that not only aid academic growth but also improve the school’s environment, volunteering through the PTA and serving as resource persons to strengthen classroom experiences. Parents are also encouraged to take advantage of NPSC-established programmes available in schools and participate in the Parenting Education Sessions (PES). By embedding parental involvement in the school improvement plan, schools create intentional opportunities for parents to contribute meaningfully to their children’s education and overall development.

Staying connected therefore requires a conscious and consistent effort across these areas. Ms Kerr emphasises that when parents take on this level of engagement, children are more likely to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. “A successful transition requires more than school readiness,” she says. “It requires parental presence.”

As the new school year begins, the NPSC is renewing its call: Stay connected. Stay engaged. Stay present. The journey into high school is not only your child’s, it is a shared journey and parental support can make all the difference.