Child Safe & Wellbeing

Helping Your Child Navigate Friendship Challenges at School

Dear Parents,

Friendships are a big part of school life, but they don’t always run smoothly. Whether it’s fallouts, feeling left out, or peer pressure, children sometimes need a bit of support managing social ups and downs. Here’s how you can help:

🧏‍♂️ 1. Listen Without Judgement

Create a safe space where your child feels comfortable opening up. Avoid jumping in too quickly—just listening can make a big difference. 

Perhaps use the strategy 'Three Stars and a Wish'. This allows your child to think about three positive things that have happened and one thing they wish was different or better.

🧠 2. Help Them Reflect

Ask open questions like, “How did that make you feel?” or “What do you think you could try next time?” This encourages problem-solving and builds resilience.

🤝 3. Teach Empathy and Respect

Talk about kindness, differences, and respecting others' feelings. Help them understand that not all friendships are perfect—and that’s okay. 

Our focus is always on the dignity of the human person as part of our Catholic Social Teaching principles. We treat everyone with respect.

🧭 4. Guide, Don’t Control

It’s tempting to intervene directly, but often it's more helpful to coach your child through tricky situations rather than stepping in to “fix” things.

🏫 5. Work With the School if Needed

If issues persist or are affecting your child’s well-being, speak with their classroom teacher or the Wellbeing team. Schools can help mediate and monitor social dynamics.

💡 6. Encourage a Range of Friendships

Support your child in building friendships outside school too—clubs, sports, or hobbies can help widen their social circle and boost confidence.

Friendship challenges are a normal part of growing up. With your guidance and encouragement, your child can learn how to manage them in healthy, positive ways.

Please always reach out if you have questions or concerns. The school/home partnership is critical to our children experiencing success. It's in the togetherness that we can make a difference for our children.

Have a lovely weekend.

Kindest regards,

Jen Gulavin- Deputy Principal (Inclusive Education)

Coffee and Connect 

Dear Parents and Carers,

We invite you to join us for Coffee & Connect on Thursday 4th September. We will gather in the staff lounge room at school at 8:45 - 10:00am.

When members of the Coffee & Connect group have previously gathered we have enjoyed the opportunity to take some time out for sharing stories and learning ways to support our children. 

This upcoming Coffee & Connect we are taking the opportunity to prioritise getting to know each other. We are delighted to have so many friendly and open people in our parent community, and we look forward to welcoming more faces.

Please let us know if you are coming and what your coffee order is on this form:

https://forms.gle/Di5bGaZ23VPWrTXq5 

Kind Regards,

The Wellbeing Team - Jen Gulavin, Emily Maher, Farha Siddiqui, Emily Robertson