We've had a lovely belated Father's Day breakfast this morning, a perfect way to end Family Week here at St John the Apostle. Thank you to all of the staff who were able to come and serve our dads and their families. It's always a nice time to share together.

Parenting Ideas

I hope you have enjoyed the Family Week articles that appeared through Schoolzine each morning this week. Even if you had one insight, one idea or one affirmation, it was worth taking the time to read them. We all need a little help and guidance at times. We're always happy to find ways to support you in your role as parents. Please let us know if there is a topic you would be interested in for future Family Week articles.

Child Protection: Everybody's responsibility

This week is also National Child Protection Week. It is an opportunity to think about how vulnerable children can be and the safety and security of the environments and relationships that are part of their lives. It's also an opportunity to think about how we can each play our part to ensure children are safe and growing in a healthy environment whether we are a teacher, parent, neighbour, friend, grandparent, coach, leader, uncle, cousin, aunt. We all have a role to play in our communities.

PARENTS PLAY THEIR PART TO PROTECT AND CARE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITY BY SHOWING HOW TO HAVE RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS.

• Being a parent can be challenging. Accept offers of help (especially the ones where cooked meals are involved!)
• Link in with services that support you – New Parent Groups and Playgroups can be fantastic.
• Parenting isn’t always easy. Share your experiences and skills with other parents – it can help you realise that you are not alone!
• It’s ok to reach out and ask for support, from family, friends, services, health professionals and so on.
• Discover what helps reduce your stress and assists you to best care for your children.
• Listen to your children and involve them in planning things as a family.
• Play with your children. It can be as simple as a game of “peek-a-boo” or reading to them. Playing with children helps build a positive relationship and connection and most of all it is fun!
• Take time out when you feel stressed or upset – look after yourself. Parenting can be positive – notice the good times too.
• Make plans for enjoyable “family time” – this can help build close relationships.
• Talk about safety with your children. Talk about what being unsafe might look and feel like at home, in their community, online or at school. Make plans about what to do if they feel unsafe.
• Parenting courses can help you be the best you can be.
• Celebrate your children, their achievements, values and interests and support them when times are tough. This will build a strong family that is loving and safe.
• Get involved in your community. Joining groups such as for sporting activities will help you and your children to have fun and meet people.

Keeping children safe in the digital and online environment is also one of our biggest

issues in a family. Parents can find an enormous amount of helpful advice from the Office of the e-safety Commissioner. Please visit the parent and carers section to help you stay current to what your child is accessing and doing online and how you can support their safety.

Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect

Child abuse and neglect are serious and complex problems that can occur in the lives of children. While Child and Youth Protection Services (CYPS) is the ACT government agency responsible for child protection, it relies on members of the community for early identification of those young people likely to be at risk. CYPS relies on:

• the community – to make voluntary reports of suspected child abuse or neglect
• mandated reporters – certain professionals who are required by law to report physical and sexual abuse. Our staff fall under this category.

Child abuse and neglect can be difficult to detect and a child’s behaviour can be the symptom of any number of things happening in their life – abuse or neglect may or may not be one of them. Very occasionally we will have to make a report that leads to CYPS connecting with a family to assess whether a child is at risk. In our experience, this usually leads to an opportunity for a family to get the help and support they currently need.

Today I also had the joy of attending the Year 3 Excursion to the National Zoo & Aquarium. Our teachers always try to create excellent learning opportunities for our students, turning what could be a passive experience into one that is engaging and full of new learning. This was no exception. Our students were also so very well behaved. They were polite and active learners full of curiosity. Thank you to the parents who came to also be part of the experience. Your presence enabled us to create a lot more opportunities for engagement.