---
title: Sending a text message
description: "Send an SMS to families from your school's number, and read the replies they send back."
url: "https://schoolzine.com/docs/sending-a-text-message/"
updated: "2026-10-21"
category: Text Messaging
tags:
  - sms
  - text messages
---

# Sending a text message

Text messages reach families even when they're away from email or the app. They're ideal for short, time-critical news like an early finish or a change of venue.

## Find Text Messages

In the Control Centre, select **Text Messages** from the menu. At the top you'll see your **School Phone Number** and how many messages you've sent in total.

![The Text Messaging panel](https://schoolzine.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/10/sms-text-messaging.png)

Further down are two lists:

- **Messages Received**: replies families have sent to your school number.
- **Messages Sent**: every text you've sent, with who it went to.

## Send a text message

1. Click **Send Text Message**. This opens a new message in Communicate.
2. Select the **SMS** channel and click **Next**.
3. Give the message a **Message Name** your team will recognise, and set the **Send Date** and **Send Time**. Click **Next**.
4. Check the **From Number**. It's usually your school's number.
5. Type your text in **Message content**. Use **Insert** to add details from your contact records, such as each family's first name.
6. Click **Next**, choose the groups or contacts to send to, then review and click **Complete & Send**.

![Writing a text message](https://schoolzine.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/10/sms-message-content.png)

## How long can a text be?

One text message holds **153 characters**. Longer messages are sent in up to three parts, to a maximum of **459 characters**. The counter under the box shows how many characters you've used.

> **Tip:** Every part of a long message counts as a separate text. Keep it short, and sign off with your school's name so families know who it's from.

For a quick, urgent text, you can also use **Quick Send Message** and select **SMS** as the channel.

## Related articles

- [Sending a message with Communicate](https://schoolzine.com/docs/sending-a-message-with-communicate/)
- [Sending a Quick Send message](https://schoolzine.com/docs/sending-a-quick-send-message/)

## Need a hand?

Our Customer Success Team is here to help. Call **1300 795 503**, email **support@schoolzine.com** or start a live chat in your Schoolzine account.