Parent Talk 2025 Issue 3

Welcome to Parent Talk

Hi to all our parents and carers.

I hope you all had a relaxing and fun winter school holiday break. It’s been a very chilly, wet season! Strap in for Term 3! This term is a long one and it’s always very busy for families; we don’t get many public holidays to catch our breath, and schools are trying to get through lots of the syllabus before end-of-year assessments. I encourage you to make sure you and your family take regular breaks for downtime and de-stressing.

Term 2 Recap

Just a few notes to let you know what CCSP got up to last term. We started off on our Anniversary Celebrations Rural and Remote Road Trip with Dr Justin Coulson on 5 May. CCSP funded Dr Justin to present to parents at three schools in our regional dioceses, and we stopped off on the way to drop in to primary schools and chat with parents and carers. We had a ball – it was exhilarating to meet with so many parents and carers in our dioceses and find out what they’re experiencing at our Catholic schools in NSW and ACT.

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Our Term 2 meetings were on 12 and 13 June and were held online. We were lucky enough to have Paula Leadbitter, Director of Catholic Education, talk to us about Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes’ parent partnership framework, Walking Together in Partnerships. We also were delighted to introduce to the group the new deputy CEO of CSNSW, Marita Winter, who talked about the importance of family engagement and the role of schools and staff in leading these partnerships.

Both the Council and Committee began reviewing the CCSP Constitution – a timely update in this year of anniversary celebrations – 30 years for the Council and 20 years for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee. We will present a draft with recommended amendments at the AGM in November to be voted on by the Council.

Members presented on what’s happening in their dioceses – and we were proud to announce our 2025 ACU recipient – see the article below.

A big welcome to new executive officer Dr Vince Connor, from Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst, who is the newest member of our Council team. Vince is an experienced rural and regional Catholic educator, having worked in the Diocese of Bathurst and Diocese of Wilcannia Forbes in a variety of roles. As a parent of five children and a grandparent of eleven grandchildren, he strongly supports building close relationships between parents, caregivers, and schools.

In the Secretariat we were delighted to onboard Megan Miranda to the team after commencing recruitment for a full-time administrative operations assistant in March. Megan has recently completed a Bachelor of Business, and commenced with CCSP on 28 April; we feel very lucky to have found her.

Our Term 2 webinars were a hit with parents and carers.

First up was the Bishop Brian Mascord Book Reading: The Parable of the Lost Sheep on 27 May. We had 275 registrations. and we had some lovely feedback from families who read the book along with Bishop Brian. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at our video star. 

We were thrilled with the registrations for other webinars:

• Beyond Careers: Pathway Options and Subject Selection (parents of students years 7-10) – 4 June; registrations: 183
• Beyond Careers: Supporting Your Child’s Academic Journey (parents of students years 11-12) – 11 June; registrations: 127 
• eSafety Commissioner: Understanding and using parental controls to help protect your child online (parents of primary students) – 19 June; 714 registered, 271 attendees
• Michelle Mitchell: Parenting Tweens – 24 June; registrations: 1000 
• Michelle Mitchell: Parenting Teens – 25 June; registrations: 1000
  

The turnout is always well under the number of registrations, with parents and carers who register able to access recordings in many cases, but we understand how hard it is for parents some evenings to get a moment to yourself!

We have continued to provide leadership, advocacy and support for all parents in our dioceses, with the ED and/or Chair hosting and attending meetings, professional learning and events including:

• Term 2 meeting with Deputy Premier, Minister Prue Car on 13 May 2025
• NESA & Urbis Online Workshop – HSC Disability Provisions Program Review
• Conference of Diocesan Directors Term 2 Meeting
• Anti-Bullying Rapid Review Reference Group Meeting
• Annual Meeting with ACU re CCSP Teacher Education Scholarship
• Consent and Respectful Relationships meeting with ACU and CSNSW
• Non-Government Schools Advisory Council Meeting
• Catholic Schools Parents Australia Meeting in Brisbane
• NSW Curriculum Reform Parent Roundtable
• NSW Law Reform Commission’s review of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW)
  

On 11 June I met with Principal Roisin McVeigh at St Peter's Catholic College in Tuggerah to talk about the school's partnering with parents and reinvigorating a parent group. The school has such a great community feel, and we got a very warm welcome from the school's service pups. 

We have also been working with CSNSW and ACU on the Consent and Respectful Relationships Education project, providing feedback to providers who have developed materials for delivery in schools.. The project is a Commonwealth Government funding initiative that aims to support the delivery of age-appropriate, expert-developed, and evidence-based education on consent and respectful relationships across both government and non-government primary and secondary schools in Australia. We'll keep you posted on developments.

Term 3 Heads-Up

Our Term 3 webinar, Smart Sleep, is an important one for parents to attend – it’s hosted by The Sleep Connection and is all about ensuring your child or young person is getting the healthy sleep they need to perform at their best academically and for their wellbeing. See the flyer below and keep an eye on our socials for the link to register.

A Term 3 project for us is the Family Partnerships Excellence Awards – every year we give out annual grants totally up to $10,000 to Catholic schools who demonstrate a commitment to family engagement, with the first placegetter receiving $5000 to continue their project. Have a look at our recipients from last year: https://www.ccsp.catholic.edu.au/meet-the-2024-recipients and find out how to enter in the article below.

And of course the big one! Our huge conference for parents and carers on 25 October in Parramatta is our special anniversary conference for all NSW/ACT parents and carers with children in Catholic schools. It's not to be missed! We have an amazing line-up of keynote speakers including Dr Justin Coulson, Michelle Mitchell and Daniel Principe. It’s going to be a value-packed day of connection and collaboration where our expert presenters will support you to parent bravely in a modern world. See the article below for the chance to win 10 tickets to attend. Check out our website here for more information: https://www.ccsp.catholic.edu.au/2025-conference. And here's a quick video inviting you to join us on the day. We really hope you can make it!

Click this link to watch:  https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1YZ2PPBaqy/

Congratulations, Aunty Mary

Last but not least, a big congratulations and lots of love to one of our special Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee members. Aunty Mary Atkinson has won been awarded a NATSICC Community Elder Award. Aunty Mary has devoted her life to uplifting others and creating meaningful connections between Aboriginal culture and Catholic faith. Her leadership has guided many initiatives that honour and celebrate Aboriginal identity within the Church, fostering deeper understanding and unity. As a respected Elder, storyteller and mentor, Aunty Mary's influence continues to shape hearts and minds. Her gentle presence, wise counsel and unwavering commitment to community remind us of the power of listening, walking with humility and leading with heart. Aunty Mary is a respected, kind and well-loved presence on our Committee and we feel privileged to have access to her wisdom.

Happy reading. I hope you enjoy this edition of Parent Talk. Please keep in touch! We love to hear from you: office@ccsp.catholic.edu.au.

God bless.

Cath

Cath Garrett-Jones
Executive Director

CCSP's 2025 Conference for Parents and Carers: 10 Tickets to Give Away!

Supporting Families: Working Together in a Modern World

A conference for parents and carers of children in Catholic schools in the Jubilee Year of Hope

Saturday 25 October 2025
Novotel Parramatta
8.30am - 3.30pm

Don't miss the parenting expo event of the year!

Featuring keynote speakers presenters Dr Justin Coulson, Michelle Mitchell and Daniel Principe!

Our 2025 parenting expo is a chance for parents and carers to gather, enjoy a meal together, learn and connect. CCSP has invited keynote speakers and presenters to talk to parents and carers about the top topics that families face today.

We have 10 tickets worth $30 each to give away! Be quick as they won't last - please note you can only enter once for one ticket. Click the link and complete the form to register your details and tell us why you'd like to come to the conference and what you hope to learn about.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CONFERENCE AND BOOK YOUR TICKETS ON OUR WEBSITE!

Take advantage of special accommodation rates at Novotel Parramatta. Plan your weekend away in Sydney now!

Webinar: The Sleep Smart

Presented by The Sleep Connection

Do you know how vital sleep is to your children's health, learning and emotional wellbeing? Do you know what effects screens are having on the quantity and quality of our sleep? Don't miss this opportunity to find out strategies you can use to help your children develop healthy sleeping habits for optimal function!

Join Sleep Educator Lisa Maltman from The Sleep Connection for an insight into how important sleep is for your children - and you - and tips for making sure the whole family gets enough zzzzzzzz.

Webinar: Responding to Image-based Abuse Involving AI Deepfakes

The rapid proliferation of generative AI and so-called nudify apps is resulting in an alarming surge in ‘deepfake’ nude images in Australian schools. The victims of this abuse can experience significant harm.

The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has recently urged schools, parents and carers to educate their children that the creation and non-consensual distribution of deepfake images “can lead to criminal charges.”

Consequently, the eSafety Commissioner (eSafety) has released a new guide for responding to deepfake incidents in schools. To accompany this guide, eSafety has issued a new Online Safety Advisory to alert schools, parents/carers and young people to the emerging risks of deepfake technology and how schools, parents, and young people should respond. You are invited to review this Safety Advisory to equip yourself with an adequate level of knowledge to help facilitate a discussion with your child and support them if they are impacted by this form of image-based abuse. For access to more eSafety resources for parents click here.

AI tools are evolving fast – and some are being misused in ways that can harm or exploit children and young people, including through the creation of deep fakes and digitally altered images. This 45-minute webinar covers how these technologies are being used, their impact and how to support and protect your child. It’s suitable for parents and carers of upper primary and high school students. Learn more about this webinar.

Thursday 21 August

12.30pm - 1.15pm

Webinar: Nurturing Strengths in Your Primary School Child

This lunch-time webinar empowers parents to recognise and nurture their child’s unique strengths and talents, guiding them toward greater confidence, motivation and resilience Learn how to observe your child’s natural abilities, encourage self-expression, and create hands-on opportunities that align with their interests

Webinar: Strengthening Young People Against Anxiety

Keep Your Family Safe Online with the eSafety Commissioner

The eSafety Commissioner (eSafety) is Australia’s independent regulator for online safety. It educates Australians about online safety risks and helps to remove harmful content such as cyberbullying of children and young people, adult cyber abuse, revenge porn or image-based abuse and illegal and restricted content.

Parents and carers can access free webinars and resources to help keep children safe online. Find help and information on issues including cyberbullying, parental controls, child grooming, sexting, doxing, trolling and privacy.

Domestic and family violence - If you are experiencing abuse as part of domestic and family violence, you can find advice and information to help you and your children stay safe online and while using tech.

Visit eSafety.gov.au to find out more on how to stay safe online and report online abuse.

Stay informed of the latest online safety blogs, news, resources, and advice by signing up to the eSafety Newsletter.

CCSP ACU Teacher Scholarship

CCSP provides an annual scholarship to a pre-service teacher at Australian Catholic University (ACU) to promote and support parent engagement. The scholarship acts as an incentive to further their understanding and subsequent application of parent engagement in their teaching role.

We are delighted to announce our 2025 recipient of the CCSP Scholarship, Aimee Linklater.

Aimee is a 4th year student completing a Bachelor of Education (Secondary and Special Education) at ACU, Strathfield Campus.

Aimee is passionate about encouraging parental engagement ‘because it creates a strong support system for students, bridging the gap between home and school. When parents are actively involved, students feel more supported, fostering their confidence, motivation, and academic success. Parental engagement also helps teachers better understand each student’s unique needs, cultural background, and strengths, enabling more personalised and effective teaching strategies.

‘Collaborative relationships with parents build trust, reinforce shared educational goals, and promote consistency in expectations and values.

‘I chose to undertake this degree because of my experience as a disability support worker, particularly in learning support assistance. During this role, I fell in love with the work, finding immense joy in supporting growth and learning. Being an advocate came naturally to me, and it sparked a passion for creating inclusive educational environments. This degree equips me with the knowledge and skills to address challenges, adapt teaching strategies, and empower students to reach their full potential. By pursuing this career, I will contribute to a more equitable education system and make a lasting difference in my community.”

Congratulations, Aimee!

Age Assurance Trial: Preliminary Findings

Banning social media for teens: is it viable?

The social media ban for under-16s is due to take effect in December

The Age Assurance Technology Trial (AATT) is a project that has been evaluating digital 'age assurance technologies'. This technology aims to ensure users are of a certain age to access age-restricted content or services, or to protect them from harmful interactions. The Trial was commissioned to assess the technological feasibility, privacy considerations and readiness of these methods, but it does not make policy recommendations. 

The Trial is being conducted by the Age Check Certification Scheme (ACCS), an independent organisation with expertise in age assurance and compliance testing. ACCS is working alongside KJR, a software analytics and testing specialist and other technical and subject-matter experts to deliver the evaluation.

The preliminary findings are a set of 12 observations based on the first phases of the Trial’s evaluation. They highlight broad patterns and trends seen across all the technologies under test. Here's the gist:

• Age assurance can be effectively implemented in Australia using private, robust and adaptable systems.
• There is a wide range of technologies suited to different needs, many of which meet international standards and are ready for integration.
• Providers show strong commitment to privacy, data security, and transparency.
• Systems are generally accurate across demographics, but ongoing improvements are needed for usability and managing risks, especially for children’s digital experiences.

Finding no. 9, is especially relevant for parents:

'9. We found that parental control and consent systems can be done and can be effective when first introduced; however, we found limited evidence that they:

• could cope with the evolving capacity of children (particularly through adolescence),  

• were able to enhance the rights of children to participate in the breadth of digital experiences,  

• were effective and secure in the management of a child’s digital footprint.'

There have been some teething problems with the face scanning technology. Have a look at this article to find out more: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-19/teen-social-media-ban-technology-concerns/105430458 

Find out more about the Age Assurance Trial and download the 12 findings here: https://ageassurance.com.au/

A GST On School Fees?

The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT strongly supports parental choice when it comes to the selection of an education setting for their child(ren).

We know that over the past 5 years to 2024, enrolment in Catholic schools have increased by 6.6%, much of this growth in low-fee Catholic schools. Many of our families prioritise this decision and make big sacrifices to send their child to a school of their choosing.

A recent article by CEO of CSNSW Dallas McInerney in the Australian Financial Review on Sunday 20 July highlights an issue of deep concern – consideration of GST on non-government school fees.

Parents and carers currently make considerable sacrifices to support their child’s education and in so doing, save governments millions of dollars each year. To add an additional tax for these families to budget when they are already doing some of the heavy lifting, would be of great concern to our families.

The article written by Dallas McInerney appears below.

Opinion Piece

This article was first published in the Australian Financial Review on 20 July 2025.

Productivity in the education sector is vitally important, but it cannot become an excuse for taxing school fees.

The prime minister and treasurer have put Australia’s productivity at the centre of the government’s second-term agenda. Citing a policy inheritance of falling productivity rates, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has identified the issue as “one of the biggest challenges facing our nation”.

The issue is more than statistics; behind falling labour productivity, there are workers either doing more for less, in a static wealth position or without upskilling opportunities. The human impact of low productivity hits households and families, while efforts to reverse recent declines can benefit individual wellbeing and self-worth, not just take-home pay.

For a range of reasons, parents are voting with their feet (or their children’s enrolment) and seeking an alternative.

The Productivity Commission has been tasked with the initial exploratory work, identifying 15 priority reform areas to be examined via five separate inquiries, including building a skilled and adaptable workforce, with a focus on improving school student outcomes.

It has rightly focused on classroom-based solutions, namely “improving access to high-quality, accredited curriculum and lesson planning materials”. In doing so, the commission has gone straight to the best research, which shows the potency of quality curricula and supporting collateral. It might have chanced its hand and oriented schools away from the endlessly changing and confusing national curriculum in favour of the NSW curriculum, which eschews themes and concepts for content and knowledge, but not this time. 

A GST on school fees has little, if anything, to do with productivity.

Nowhere in the government’s brief or the Productivity Commission’s work is there guidance to consider making school education more expensive, restrictive, or even monopolistic. That hasn’t stopped several grievance-tinged policy advocates rushing to share their productivity solutions that would do just that, via their call for the GST to be extended to non-government school fees.

In a classic case of a solution in search of a problem, the Australia Institute and others are calling for school fees charged by non-government schools to be subject to the GST. This is no doubt inspired by the UK Labour government led by Sir Keir Starmer, which recently applied the VAT to private school fees with devastating consequences.

Since the VAT was applied to school fees (tuition and boarding) in January 2025, at least 44 private UK schools have announced their closure, leading to the disruption of almost 6000 children’s educations.

Predictably, the policy missed its projected revenue target, but squarely hit an ulterior target – the success of non-government schools and parental choice. In fact, the UK government’s own modelling anticipated a shift in enrolments back to government schools. 

Is this the motivation behind those who seek to import Starmer’s failure to Australia?

A GST on school fees has little, if anything, to do with productivity. It is old-fashioned ideology dressed up as high policy principle, with embarrassingly thin arguments and logical fallacies – such as that extra GST revenue is required to better fund public schools – when those proposing the change know the enrolment shift will only add pressure to the public schools they champion.

Ironically, the call for GST on school fees is coming from those policy quarters that typically rail against regressive taxes or policies that negatively impact lower socio-economic voters. This is ironic because most of the recent growth in non-government schools has been in low-fee Catholic and Christian schools, drawing from working families making big sacrifices.

The high tax addicts know that policy can be a wrecking ball. Their advocacy comes at a time when public education is under significant pressure in Australia, particularly in New South Wales, where there is a once-in-a-generation exodus from the government sector to non-government schools – Catholic, Christian, and independent.

For a range of reasons, parents are voting with their feet (or their children’s enrolment) and seeking an alternative.

So alarmed by this trend is the NSW Secretary for Education that he recently told the ABC that Australia needs to adopt a model of single provider schooling, the government system.

History has shown us that regressive taxes and monopolies are enemies of productivity. Thankfully, the Productivity Commission is looking elsewhere for solutions for Australian schools.

CCSP Resources: Our Catholic Faith 2026 and Acknowledgement of Country

We have recently updated Our Catholic Faith: A handbook for parents and families of students in NSW/ACT Catholic Schools for 2026. 

Our Catholic Faith explains some Catholic beliefs and traditions parents and families might hear their child talk about when they’re discussing their religious education and Catholic events parents and carers may be invited to attend during the school year. With sections about liturgy and Mass, faith formation, the Catholic calendar, prayers and a Catholic A-Z glossary, you’ll find this the perfect guide to what makes a school Catholic. It's a great addition to enrolment packs for schools!

Download the handbook below or let us know if you need a high res file for printing:

We’re also proud to share this new resource to support respectful engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. It explains the difference between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgment of Country, includes a template example, and features a Country map to help identify Traditional Custodians. Download the PDF below:

Understanding Radicalisation and Violent Extremism, and Promoting Safety Together

As parents and caregivers in the NSW Catholic education sector, nurturing the wellbeing and values of our children is a shared priority. In today’s fast-paced digital world, one concern that’s gaining attention is radicalisation, a complex process where a person’s beliefs shift from mainstream to extreme. This becomes especially troubling when those beliefs lead to supporting or using violence to achieve ideological, religious or political goals.

What is radicalisation and violent extremism?

• Radicalisation is the process by which someone adopts views that advocate drastic societal change. It becomes a concern when those views justify or promote violence.
• Violent extremism involves acts or endorsements of violence intended to achieve social, political or legal objectives, often triggered by perceived injustices or grievances.

Spotting the signs
There’s no single path to radicalisation, but some common behavioural changes may include:

• Increased or altered time spent online
• Social withdrawal from family, school or community
• Shifts in interests, appearance or expressions that seem sudden or concerning.

If you’re worried about a child or young person
As parents and caregivers within the Catholic school community, we are entrusted not only with nurturing our children’s academic and spiritual growth, but also with guiding them through the challenges of today’s world. One important responsibility is helping children and young people disengage from harmful ideologies and influences that threaten their well-being and connection to others. Families can play a powerful role by:

• Maintaining open and honest communication: conversations guided by empathy and understanding help build trust and resilience
• Condemning harmful behaviours without rejecting the child or young person: reinforce boundaries while preserving connection and unconditional love
• Fostering strong social networks: encourage friendships and community ties that reflect shared values and respect
• Providing healthy ways to express beliefs or concerns: empower young voices to be heard in constructive, respectful ways
• Being open to emotional or psychological support: seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness
• Affirming their identity in safe, positive ways: celebrate their uniqueness with love rooted in faith.

Digital wellbeing: supporting safe online habits for children and young people
In today's connected world, empowering our children and young people to navigate the internet safely is more important than ever. Here are a few essential steps families can take to foster safer and healthier online experiences:

• Set up parental controls: Use built-in safety features to help block inappropriate or harmful content and monitor usage
• Keep communication open: Regularly chat with your child about their online experiences in a calm, judgement-free way
• Limit unsupervised screen time: Ensure children and young people use devices in shared spaces or with adult oversight when possible
• Encourage positive online behaviour: Model kindness, respect and healthy boundaries, praise these behaviours when your child/young person shows them too
• Report harmful content: If you encounter material involving violence, hate or extremist messages, don’t hesitate to report it through the proper channels:
  • the National Security Hotline which operates 24/7: Phone: 1800 123 400 |  Email: hotline@nationalsecurity.gov.au | 🌐 Online form: Report Online Extremist Material.You can submit anonymously and include links, screenshots or descriptions of the content.
  • eSafety Commissioner: If the material involves illegal or harmful content, such as hate speech, terrorism promotion or graphic violence, you can report it to the eSafety Commissioner 🌐 Report via eSafety

Talking to young people about radicalisation or violent extremism
It can feel daunting, but speaking openly and calmly with children and young people about online safety and radicalisation helps build trust and awareness. Be patient, listen without judgement, and remind them that they can come to you with anything! Here are some valuable resources:

• eSafety Commissioner: Offers guidance and a monthly newsletter for parents 🌐 www.esafety.gov.au/parents
• Parent Line: Free telephone counselling for parents 📞 1300 1300 52 | 🌐 parentline.org.au
• Step Together: Specialised support on violent extremism and community safety 📞 1800 875 204 | 🌐 StepTogether.nsw.gov.au
• Kids Helpline: Counselling for young people aged 5–25, available any time 📞 1800 551 800 | 🌐 https://kidshelpline.com.au/
• Lifeline: 24/7 telephone crisis support 📞 13 11 14 | 🌐 https://www.lifeline.org.au/
• Gaming safely: The Microsoft Xbox ‘Gaming Safety Toolkit’ provides advice for parents on talking to children and young people and understanding their online gaming experience. It includes instructions on activating parental controls and having difficult conversations 🌐  https://extremismandgaming.org/
• Translation and interpreting services: The National Translating and Interpreting Service can provide immediate translating services: 📞 Within Australia: 131 450, outside Australia: +61 3 9268 8332 | 🌐https://www.tisnational.gov.au/ 
• If you ever feel that anyone is in immediate danger or a crime is occurring, call Triple Zero (000) right away.

In today’s rapidly changing world, staying informed and actively involved isn’t just important, it’s essential. Families who remain engaged are powerful allies in nurturing children and young people to grow into thoughtful, resilient and compassionate individuals who walk with grace and purpose.

With thanks to Vanessa Lahoud, Senior Manager, Wellbeing and CVE, Catholic Schools NSW

CCSP 2024 Annual Report

We are pleased to advise that our 2024 Annual Report is now available to download from our website.

Around the Dioceses

Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn

Catholic School Parents Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn hosted their first Political Forum for parents, staff and students. The forum was held just ahead of the Federal Election and was an opportunity to build relationships with candidates, ask questions and put forward key priorities for families with children in Catholic Education. 

Catholic Education Wilcannia-Forbes

St Laurence's Parish School, Forbes

St Laurence’s held a Family Mass and Picnic Day that brought together students, families and staff for a day of prayer and social connection. The school also organised a Reading with Families program where parents and caregivers were invited to read with students in the classroom. This program not only supported literacy development but also strengthened the
home-school connection in a meaningful way.

A big event for St Laurence’s was the visit by Dr Justin Coulson in partnership with CCSP on Tuesday 6th May. There were 64 registrations for attendance. Justin delivered an engaging, informative and interactive session supporting 'Unplug Childhood' which is an area of concern for the community. Justin’s visit reinforced the value of an initiative launched by
members of the St Laurence’s parent community called the Forbes Phone-Free Alliance, which encourages parents and primary school aged children to delay the use of smartphones until at least Year 8. The evening was very well received by those in attendance and was certainly a catalyst for more conversation and discussion around the challenges presented
by the use of digital devices and social media.

Love for Lauries Food Pantry is a new outreach initiative that aims to support families in the community who are facing challenging times by providing meals that can be frozen and given out as needed. Meals are provided by the St Laurence’s parent and carer community that provide a source of comfort and nourishment for those in need. Additionally, they are
creating a pantry of long-life and packaged items that can be used for lunches and/or dinners.

Catholic Schools Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

‘So you’ve enrolled your child in a Catholic School, what next?’ webinar was co-hosted/ branded as a collaboration between DoMN Catholic Schools and the Federation of P&F Associations. In the lead-up to the webinar, delegates were consulted by the DoMN’s Catholic Schools’ Head of RE&S regarding the content to be covered as part of the webinar. As part of the consultation delegates provided further advice that they would like parts of the webinar broken into smaller, themed recordings that can then be shared with parents by schools, throughout the year, which was agreed to. As part of the webinar, the CCSP resource ‘Our Catholic Faith Handbook’ was promoted to parents. 

The Federation Executives met with Bishop Michael Kennedy and the Vicar General Fr Greg Barker, who again pledged their support for the Federation of P&F Associations and thanked the delegates for their contributions. As part of the discussion a date was confirmed for the Federation’s Annual Mass Celebrating Diverse Learning, which the Bishop will celebrate at Sacred Heart Cathedral. In addition, the Bishop and Vicar General also provided their support for the Federation initiating the review of the Constitution of the Federation of P&F Associations. Notes from the meeting are shared with the wider Federation Council.

The Federation Executives met with the newly appointed Director of Schools, Jacqui Wilkinson. Jacqui and the Executives spoke about several joint upcoming initiatives including a paper that outlines the opportunities for collaboration between Federation representatives and Catholic Schools leaders, as well as the DoMN RISE Project (Reimagining Inclusive Specialised Education). Notes from the meeting were then shared with the wider Federation Council.

All Federation Councillors were officially invited to attend the Catholic Schools Week Mass, and the Federation Executives were invited to attend the Annual Catholic Schools Awards Night. These invitations were greatly appreciated by the Federation as an indication of the strengthening of relationships between our peak parent body and DoMN Catholic Schools.

Catholic Schools Broken Bay

CSBB invited parents and carers to join feedback and consultation sessions focused on shaping the future of Catholic Schools Broken Bay and strengthening the Family Journey across the communities.

These sessions offered a valuable opportunity to hear directly from families, sharing their experiences, insights and aspirations to help the communities grow together in faith, support and educational excellence.

Six sessions were facilitated across each of the 6 precincts with approximately 100 parents and carers participating.

A broader survey has been created and shared with all 45 CSBB school communities to give ALL parents and carers an opportunity to engage.

Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst

Celebrating our Catholic Faith Catholic Schools Week Mass, Diocesan Aboriginal Mass (during Reconciliation Week).

Open classrooms for Catholic Schools Week Open Day, Mothers’ Day, Grandparents’ Day.

Community consultation design of the St Laurence's Dubbo Yarning Circle, St Raphael’s Cowra Drink Fountain’s backing.

Supporting Student in their Representation Diocesan Spelling Bee for Stage 2, 3, 4 and 5, 2025 Indigenous Veterans Commemoration Service Anzac Memorial, Support for nominees with their families for  regional VET Awards and beyond.

Diocese of Lismore

Parents Thrive in 2025: Lismore Parent Assembly Conference Equips and Inspires  

Families from across the Lismore Diocese filled every seat at the 2025 Parent Assembly Conference. This incredible response shows just how deeply our families value real opportunities to learn and grow as parents and to connect and support each other as a wider diocesan parent community. With practical, down-to-earth parenting insights from experts like Maggie Dent, Brad Marshall and Angela Lockwood, parents walked away feeling inspired, confident and better equipped to navigate modern family life and digital challenges, all through the lens of our shared faith. More than just a day of learning, the conference was a vibrant expression of our Catholic schools’ genuine commitment to building family–school partnerships that make a difference. 

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese

At the end of Term 2, many schools across the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) celebrated the rich cultural diversity of our Western Sydney communities through joyful and inclusive events that brought students, families, and staff together. 

Families were warmly welcomed and deeply engaged in the Multicultural Day at Delany College Granville and Holy Trinity Primary School Granville, showcasing the many cultures that make up their school communities.  With powerful performances, traditional dress, music, dance, and delicious food, it was a great opportunity for students to proudly share their heritage.

St John XXIII Catholic College, Stanhope Gardens hosted a vibrant Pasifika Fia Fia Night inviting students, families, and community members to celebrate through traditional music, dance, and storytelling. The evening included performances by students from St John XXIII, St Clare’s Catholic High School Hassall Grove, St Agnes Catholic High School Rooty Hill, and Patrician Brothers' College Blacktown offering a moving expression of cultural identity and unity.

Events like these reflect CSPD's strong commitment to fostering inclusive environments of connection, identity, and belonging for our families.

Parent Line NSW: Free Telephone Counselling for Parents and Carers of Children

Parent Line NSW is a free telephone counselling, support and referral service for parents and carers with children aged 0 to 18 who live in New South Wales. Parent Line is also an information service for professionals working with children and families. 

Whether you need some help or just want someone to talk to, the qualified and experienced counsellors are available seven days a week to support you.

What Can I Talk to Parent Line NSW About?

The service receives calls from parents, carers and professionals who have questions or concerns about babies, children, or teenagers. Parent Line counsellors can help to support you, offering advice and guidance on concerns such as…

• Child and adolescent mental health
• Friendship issues and bullying
• Social media and increased screentime
• Anxiety in children
• Child and behaviour development
• Managing stress and anxiety
• Support during family separation
• School transitions
• Family violence 

Call Parent Line NSW on 1300 1300 52 to access free and confidential counselling. Open Monday to Friday (9am to 9pm) and Saturday & Sunday (4pm to 9pm).

You can also visit parentline.org.au to find parenting resources and tips.