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.

Parent Session - Entitled: Raising Responsible, Respectful Kids

Wednesday 5 November, 7pm AEST / 8pm AEDT

On-demand gratification has become the modern-day norm, and our children have never known anything different. As a result, parents are noticing a clear pattern of declining levels of resilience and frustration tolerance. We naturally want them to be happy and successful, but we also recognise that a sense of entitlement can hinder their journey. While our hearts yearn to give them the world, we know it’s equally important to nurture gratitude, responsibility, and respect within their hearts.

Our children are growing up in a world defined by instant gratification. They’ve never known a time when things weren’t immediately accessible, which has contributed to declining resilience and frustration tolerance. As parents, we yearn to give them the world and shield them from disappointment, but we also know that fostering gratitude, responsibility, and respect is essential for their true happiness and success.

Entitled with Dr Justin Coulson will dive deep into the issue of entitlement. We’ll explore its root causes, its impact on our children’s development, and most importantly, we’ll equip you with practical strategies to turn things around. You’ll learn how to shift your child’s mindset from “gimme” to “thank you”, and how to foster a sense of appreciation even in an age of abundance.

In this presentation, we will navigate the challenges of parenting in today’s world and discover how to raise children who are not just responsible and respectful, but empowered, resilient, and ready to make a positive contribution to the world. 

Supporting Children to Enjoy Holiday Fun (and Rest!)

Holidays provide a valuable opportunity for children to rest, recharge, and strengthen family connections. Research shows that regular periods of downtime and unstructured play support children’s emotional wellbeing, cognitive development, creativity, and resilience. Time away from structured routines also allows children to practise independence, explore personal interests, and develop problem-solving and social skills.

Parents and carers can help children make the most of holidays by providing a balance of activities, rest, and opportunities for engagement.

• Build a mix of activities: Include indoor and outdoor play, creative projects, and quiet time. A variety of experiences stimulates different areas of development and keeps children engaged.
• Encourage independent play and screen-free time: Allowing children to entertain themselves fosters imagination, resilience, and self-confidence. Limiting screen time also supports healthy sleep patterns and reduces overstimulation.
• Involve children in planning activities: Simple, low-pressure family activities—such as nature walks, cooking together, or crafting—give children a sense of agency, strengthen family bonds, and promote teamwork.
• Allow time for rest and relaxation: Sleep-ins, quiet reading, or simply relaxing together are important. Children need downtime to recover from school routines and maintain emotional and physical wellbeing.

Support for working families

For families balancing work commitments, coordinating safe routines and structured activities can ensure children are engaged, stimulated, and cared for. Planning in advance and using local holiday programs can reduce stress and provide enriching experiences.

Access community and local resources

Many councils, shopping centres, and community groups run school holiday programs, workshops, and activities. These programs offer safe, engaging, and social experiences for children, and are particularly useful for working families. Parents can check local websites, community noticeboards, or social media pages for schedules, registration details, and costs.

By balancing rest, play, family time, and community engagement, holidays can be both rejuvenating and enriching experiences for children, helping them return to school refreshed, confident, and socially connected.

A Note for Families

These tips are just some ideas to support children during holidays. We understand that holidays can be busy and challenging for every family, and that each family’s circumstances are different. Please know that we appreciate the effort and care you put into helping your children rest, play, and stay engaged during this time. Every small moment of connection, support, or fun makes a difference, and we recognise that families are doing their best.