We are a Happy Families School!

Our school is subscribed to the Happy Families School Membership! Owned and run by Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s leading parenting experts, the membership offers a wealth of parenting education and resources. We will regularly share resources available through our membership with you, including Insight Articles and Webinars. You can also access your resources at any time using the below URL (unique to our school) and password.

Unique URL - https://schools.happyfamilies.com.au/login/mmnwn

Password - happymmnwn

We recommend bookmarking this link. You should only need to put the password in once and the site will remember you.  Here is this week’s Term 2 Insights Article: Teaching Our Kids Self Control

Dr Justin Coulson is a dad to 6 daughters and grandfather to 1 granddaughter. He is the parenting expert and co-host of Channel Nine’s Parental Guidance, and he and his wife host Australia’s #1 podcast for parents and family: The Happy Families Podcast. He has written 9 books about  families and parenting. For further details visit happyfamilies.com.au

School TV 

Upcoming SchoolTV webinar . This exclusive, one-off event is fast approaching and we’d love to see families benefit from the insights of two of Australia’s leading experts, Susan McLean and Dr Michael Carr-Gregg.  They will share invaluable insights on how to empower young people to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.

WEBINAR: Digital Media Literacy & Safety (Part II)
DATE: Wednesday, 18 June 2025
TIME: 7:30 pm

Topics in this webinar include:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Misinformation & Algorithms
• Sexting and Sextortion
• Online Grooming

Please note: Participants MUST REGISTER PRIOR to the commencement of the webinar to gain access.

http://marymacnarre.catholic.schooltv.me/webinar/east-coast-digital-media-literacy-safety-part-2

Supporting Smooth School Separations

At different times throughout the year, children of all ages may find it tricky to separate from their families in the morning. This can be due to a range of reasons—changes in routine, tiredness, weather, or simply big feelings. These moments are completely normal and part of growing up.

Here are some helpful tips to support smoother morning separations:

Establish a consistent morning routine:

Predictable steps each morning can help children feel secure and calm. You might gently guide them by saying things like, “Let’s put on our uniform,” followed by, “Now let’s brush our teeth.” Celebrate each small step to build confidence and routine.

Allow extra time:

Rushed mornings can increase stress. Try and aim to build in a few extra minutes to help everyone feel more relaxed and prepared for the day ahead. (easier said than done sometimes!) 

Stay positive and confident:

Children take emotional cues from adults. A calm and upbeat goodbye helps them feel that school is a safe and positive place.

Create a special goodbye ritual:

A quick hug, a unique handshake, or a cheerful phrase like “See you at pick-up!” can provide comfort and a sense of routine.

Avoid lingering:

While it’s tempting to stay and settle your child, lingering can make it harder for them to adjust. A warm, confident goodbye works best. For some families, using the drive-through drop-off can help build independence—followed by parking and reconnecting later to celebrate their success.

Talk positively about school:

Focus on the fun activities, friendships, and caring adults at school to help build excitement and ease nerves.

The Hug Button:

Draw a little heart on your hand and one on theirs, which they can press to send you a hug if they are missing you. Let them know that you will press your hug button if you are missing them.

Remember, many families experience separation challenges from time to time.  If your child is finding drop-offs especially difficult, please reach out to their teacher or a member of our wellbeing team.  We’re here to support every family and help each child start their day with confidence.