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: Unhurrying Childhood: Why Slowing Down Is the Best Thing for Our Kids

School TV 

Our school has partnered with SchoolTV – a trusted resource that prioritises student mental health and wellbeing. Because parenting doesn’t come with instructions, SchoolTV is now accessible through our school to help you navigate some of the more complex issues young people face. It provides practical strategies and trusted guidance to support your child. Parenting is a learning journey, and with a little help from SchoolTV, you can engage in meaningful conversations with your child on topics that may sometimes feel awkward or difficult to address. SchoolTV covers a vast range of topics, each featuring interviews with leading global experts and a carefully curated selection of resources from key organisations. We encourage you to explore and utilise this platform, as it serves as a valuable tool in building relationships, fostering connections, and deepening understanding. By breaking down barriers, it helps pave the way towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. To stay informed about the latest topics, we also recommend signing up for ‘Get Alerts’. This feature ensures you receive updates as new content becomes available, and you can easily register through the link provided within each topic. Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in shaping a young person’s life, and SchoolTV is here to support you in nurturing confident and informed parenting. Explore SchoolTV today!

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.