How can I get a copy of my child’s school records?

You can request personal information about your child under the Privacy Act 2020. Information Privacy Principle 6 gives individuals the right to access personal information that an agency holds about them, and a parent or guardian can make a request on behalf of a young child. The school must respond within 20 working days, and may withhold information in limited circumstances, such as where disclosure would endanger someone's safety or reveal a confidential source. Make the request in writing, describing what you want, such as incident reports, emails or counselling notes about your child. If the school refuses or delays without a good reason, you can complain to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, which can investigate and try to resolve the matter.