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 Live Webinars.

Insights Articles

A new Insights article is released weekly during the term and we will include these with the school newsletter. Insights articles are written by Dr Justin Coulson and provide parenting education and support for a wide variety of traditional and contemporary parenting challenges.

Here is your weekly Insights Article:

Supporting Children in Making New Friendships

Forming new friendships is an important part of childhood development. It requires confidence, courage, and social skills, and learning how to approach new peers helps children develop resilience, empathy, and effective communication. Research shows that children who are guided and supported in forming new connections are more likely to feel socially competent and develop a sense of belonging in school and community settings.

Parents and carers can play a key role in supporting their child to make new friends:

Practise conversation starters:

Role-play simple, friendly questions such as “What’s your favourite game?” or “Do you like drawing?” This gives children confidence to initiate interactions in real-life situations.

Encourage inclusive language:

Phrases like “Can I join in?” or “Want to play?” teach children how to invite others and include peers, helping them to develop positive social interactions.

Reflect on being a kind friend:

Discuss what it means to be supportive, respectful, and fair in friendships. Children who understand kindness are more likely to attract and maintain positive friendships.

Organise low-pressure social opportunities:

Simple playdates or small group activities can help children practise social skills in a safe and supportive environment, particularly if they are shy or unsure socially.

Empower your child to use their voice:

Encourage children to speak up if someone is doing something that hurts them or others. Practising phrases like “Stop, I don’t like that” or “That’s not okay” helps them assert boundaries respectfully and safely.

Supporting children as they form new friendships helps them develop confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging, these are some key foundations for happy and healthy social development.