From the Assistant Principal

Family Life Information Session

This year, we are offering two Family Life sessions for parents/carers and students. The Interrelate Tricky Talks program includes two one-hour live presentations designed to support conversations about growing up and the changes children experience during pre-adolescence.

Delivered by experienced educators, the sessions use age-appropriate language and require a parent/carer to attend alongside their child.

These sessions help families begin important conversations about topics such as body changes, puberty, conception, development, and personal safety in a supportive and guided way.

Session details:

💡 Where Did I Come From? For Year 3 & 4 students and their parents/carers 🕕 6:00 – 7:00 pm (AEDT). 

Focus: Reproductive systems, conception, foetal development, birth, and personal safety. Older students who have not previously attended are also welcome.

🌱 Preparing for Puberty For Year 5 & 6 students and their parents/carers (younger mature students may attend at parent discretion)🕖 7:15 – 8:15pm (AEDT) 

Focus: Physical, emotional, social and intellectual changes during puberty, including periods, sperm production, and personal safety.

You will need to follow the link below to register and secure your place in the session:  

https://events.humanitix.com/park-orchards-ps-tricky-talks-29th-april-2026

Supporting Your Child Through Conversations About Growing Up 🌱 

“One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is your time and your attention.” – Jim Valvano 

Talking with your child about growing up is an important way to support their wellbeing and development. Open and honest conversations help children feel safe, valued, and understood, while also strengthening the bond between parent and child. When children feel comfortable talking about their thoughts and experiences, they are more likely to share their worries and seek support when needed.

Some key benefits of these conversations include:

• Emotional and mental development: Regularly talking about feelings and experiences helps children understand and manage their emotions, while building confidence.
• Secure attachment and trust: Open communication helps children feel safe, supported, and connected to the important adults in their lives.
• Social skills and relationships: Discussing friendships and social situations supports children to learn skills such as sharing, cooperation, and problem-solving.
• Sense of self: Talking about growth and change helps children develop a positive understanding of who they are and where they fit in the world.
• Strong parent-child connection: Taking time to listen and talk, whether about everyday moments or more challenging topics, helps maintain a strong and responsive relationship.

When having these conversations, it’s important to use age-appropriate language and focus on your child’s experiences and feelings, rather than adult concerns.