Health & Wellbeing @ NLPS

JSC Pirate Day Fundraiser – Ahoy, Mateys!

The Newport Lakes Junior School Council is excited to invite all students and families to join in the fun for our upcoming Pirate Day Fundraiser!

When:  Friday 15th May

Activity: Dress Up Like a Pirate

Purpose: Raising money for Kids with Cancer (Brain Cancer Research)

Students are encouraged to come dressed as pirates for the day! Costumes can be as simple or as creative as you like. If dressing up feels a bit daunting, students are welcome to join in by wearing a small pirate-themed accessory such as a bandana, eye patch, or a pretend bird on their shoulder.

Donation: Gold coin donation

If any student is not comfortable dressing in pirate attire and would prefer to wear casual clothes, we ask that they still bring a gold coin donation.

Please note: No swords or accessories that could be considered a weapon, even if they are part of the costume. Any items deemed to be unsafe will be held at the office and can be collected by parents at the end of the day. 

We look forward to seeing our school community come together for a meaningful cause, while having a whole lot of pirate fun along the way! 

Supporting Your Child with Worries

Supporting children with worries, big feelings, or possible anxiety can sometimes feel overwhelming. Having access to the right information and tools can make a meaningful difference. Below are some trusted, evidence-based resources that families can explore at their own pace. These programs are designed to build understanding, develop practical coping strategies, and support both children and their parents/carers. They can be a helpful starting point, or a valuable support while waiting to access additional professional services.

• The Brave Self-Help Program is free for both the child and parent/carer. 
• Cool Kids Online through the Centre for Emotional Health is a fee-based program with content for both the child and parent/carer.
• Momentum provides free tailored online treatment programs for children and adolescents to help them learn new ways to cope with anxiety and/or unhappiness.
• Growing Minds Check-In  is designed for parents and carers of children up to 17 years to get a free snapshot of their child's wellbeing. N.B. It does not provide a diagnosis or replace a clinical assessment by a health professional.

We are, of course, in partnership with families in supporting your child’s wellbeing. If you notice any ongoing or significant worries, please don’t hesitate to speak with your child’s teacher so we can work together to support them.

Samantha Meddis

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader

eSafety commissioner Parents and Carers Webinars

These live webinars give parents and carers the knowledge, skills, and tools to support their children to have safer online experiences.

Navigating screen time - Tools for today’s families

This 45-minute webinar explores what quality screen time looks like, how to create balanced family routines, ways to manage boredom and transitions, and strategies to support children’s wellbeing at different ages and stages.

The webinar offers realistic and practical approaches to strengthen digital skills, encourage open conversations, and make screen time more positive and predictable for the whole family.

Suitable for parents and carers of young people in primary and lower secondary school.

TERM 2 (AEST)

• 17 June 2026, 12.30pm   -  REGISTER HERE 

How AI is influencing new online risks for children and young people

AI (generative artificial intelligence) is built into many of the apps, games and services we use. While these tools can offer positive experiences, they also bring new risks, especially for children and young people. Understanding what these risks look like, how to reduce them, and what to do if something goes wrong, is important for anyone supporting children and young people. 

This 45-minute webinar for parents and carers will cover these areas: 

• The types of AI-related risks your child may come across in their everyday online activities, including AI companion chatbots, deepfakes, AI influencers, AI-facilitated cyberbullying, and other online-harassment related risks.
• How these technologies can affect your child’s safety, privacy, development, and mental and social wellbeing.
• Practical, easy-to-use strategies and resources to help you guide and support your child, including what to do if something goes wrong and where to seek help.

Suitable for parents and carers of young people in primary and secondary school.

TERM 2 (AEST)

• 3 June 2026, 12.30pm   -  REGISTER HERE

Go to the eSafety commissioner website for more details.