Principal's Report

Prayer – The Sacred Heart of Jesus

Loving Jesus, We honour Your Sacred Heart, full of mercy and compassion. Help us to grow in kindness, patience, and love for one another. May our school be a place where Your presence is felt in all we say and do. Guide our hearts to be like Yours, welcoming, forgiving and full of peace. Amen.

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we approach the end of Term 3, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the strong sense of community that continues to define St Margaret Mary’s. It is in the everyday moments, our gatherings, our celebrations of faith, and the way we welcome one another, that we see the spirit of our school.

Last Friday’s Mass celebrating the Sacred Heart of Jesus was a beautiful expression of this spirit. I extend my thanks to Ms Courtenay and our Year 3 students for preparing a lovely, heartfelt celebration. The care, pride, and participation of the students touched Fr Carol who commented on how impressed he is with the culture of St Margaret Mary’s. 

This is something we can all be very proud of, and I thank you for the role you each play in fostering this environment.

Celebrating Our Year 6 Confirmation

Our Year 6 students recently received the Sacrament of Confirmation, marking an important milestone in their faith journey. The reverence, maturity, and pride shown by the students throughout the ceremony were commendable.

I felt really proud watching each of the candidates from St Margaret Mary’s confidently and respectfully interact with Bishop Umbers. They represented themselves, their families, and our school community with dignity and grace.

We thank our families for their preparation and support, and our staff for guiding the students so thoughtfully.

Parent–Teacher Meetings

It has been wonderful to see so many families on the school grounds meeting with our teachers following the release of Semester 1 reports. These conversations are such an important opportunity to reflect on each child’s learning, celebrate achievements, and set goals for continued growth.

We value your partnership and thank you for your ongoing engagement in your child’s education.

School Holidays - Vacation Care

Please find below details for upcoming school holidays vacation care, including the pupil free day next Friday 3rd July.  Some very fun activities and excursions look to be on the schedule!

Parenting Toolbox – Michael Grose

This week I have resurrected my old friend from 2025, Michael Grose, with an important article on recognising the signs that our children may not be okay.

As parents and educators, it is essential that we remain attentive to changes in our children’s behaviour, emotions, and wellbeing. Early identification and support can make a significant difference. I encourage you to take the time to read below and reflect on the strategies shared, as we continue to work together to support the wellbeing of every child in our care.

Kylie O'Donnell

Principal

5 Kids' Mental Health Red-Flags (and practical solutions for parents)

A guide for parents to identify early warning signs and build emotional stability while nurturing resilience in their child

Michael Grose

Jun 23, 2026

Ten-year-old Leo hasn’t been himself lately.

He used to be the first one at the front gate for basketball practice, and he was always considered resilient, possessing healthy social-emotional skills.

But lately he’d taken to lingering in his bedroom, moody and sullen, as if carrying an invisible weight. When his mother asks what is wrong, he shrugs and stares at the floor.

This shift from an active participant to a quiet spectator in his own life is a significant indicator that his child’s mental health needs a closer look.

Modern family life is fast-paced, and it is easy to miss the subtle signs of anxiety in children when they are struggling emotionally. If you can spot the ripples early, you can prevent them from becoming waves.

Five mental health red flags to look out for

While all children experience ups and downs, recognising when these shifts become persistent is a vital step in supporting their wellbeing.

Below are five common red flags to monitor, each paired with an expert tip to help you navigate these moments with confidence and care.

1. Persistent changes in mood

A persistent, flat, or moody temperament is often the first sign that a

• me quiet time?”

2. They pull back from their friends

We all need a bit of solitude, but a marked, long-term withdrawal from peers and activities that once brought joy is a red flag that warrants attention.

This social shrinking often suggests a decline in confidence or a fear of judgment, making social interaction feel like an impossible chore.

Take a child who used to thrive in after-school games with friends, for example; if they suddenly retreat to their room and decline every invitation, they are likely using isolation as a protective wall against a world that feels too demanding.

• Expert Tip: Gently encourage connection without force. Create low-pressure opportunities for social interaction, such as having a friend over for a simple snack, rather than pushing for high-stakes, big-energy events.

3. Changes in physical health and habits

The mind and body are constantly in conversation, and a child’s physical health is often the loudest indicator of their mental state.

When a child can’t find the words to express their anxiety, their body often does the talking through recurring headaches, nausea, or sleep disturbances.

You’ll often see this pattern on school mornings, when your child complains of a persistent stomachache despite being perfectly healthy—it’s their physical way of saying their nervous system is in “fight or flight” mode.

• Expert Tip: Prioritise the fundamentals of mental health: sleep, nutrition, and exercise. These are the foundations of emotional regulation. If physical symptoms persist, check in with a GP to rule out medical issues while simultaneously supporting their emotional wellbeing. Identify other avoidance behaviours.

4. Taking the easy road

Avoidance is a natural, yet self-defeating, reflex that kids use to keep themselves safe from the discomfort of failure or anxiety.

While skipping a task provides a moment of relief, it unfortunately reinforces the idea that they aren’t capable of handling challenges, effectively shrinking their world.

Think of the child who invents creative excuses to miss an oral presentation or refuses to go to a school camp; they aren’t just being difficult; they are trapped in a cycle where the fear of the event has become greater than their confidence in their own competence.

• Expert Tip: Normalise their feelings while encouraging small, manageable steps. Validate their fear (”I can see you’re really nervous about the camp”) while helping them identify a small part of the event they feel capable of doing, rather than letting them opt out entirely.

5. Inability to regulate emotions

The ability to recover from a setback is a key indicator of a child’s developing emotional intelligence and stability.

All children experience intense emotions, but true emotional maturity is evident in how quickly they return to a state of calm after a disruption.

If you notice your child consistently reacting with an intensity that seems completely out of proportion to the situation, it’s a sign that their “brakes”—the internal tools used to self-regulate—aren’t engaging.

For example, if losing a simple board game triggers an hour-long, uncontrollable spiral of rage or despair, it is a clear sign that they lack the current skills to navigate disappointment on their own.

• Expert Tip: Model calm, rational thinking. When a child is in a high-arousal state, the part of their brain responsible for logic is effectively offline. Use your own calm presence and deep breathing to help “co-regulate” them before attempting to discuss solutions.

Practical Solutions for Families

Your long-term goal is to provide a stable environment that focuses on support. These five strategies form the basis of a healthy family environment for your child.

1. Create a Predictable Home Base

Children thrive when they know what to expect. Predictability is important for mental health, as it is for positive discipline.

During times of stress, lean into routines. Consistent mealtimes and bedtimes provide a sense of safety that anchors a child when their internal world feels chaotic.

Focus on transition times, such as the first ten minutes after school and the last ten minutes before bed, as these periods are most critical for emotional connection.

2. Focus on Physical Fundamentals

It is difficult to maintain mental wellbeing when the body is depleted.

Make sure your child is getting enough movement and high-quality sleep. Data from the Australian Student Wellbeing Frameworksuggests that physical activity is directly linked to a child’s ability to regulate their moods and bounce back from setbacks.

Replace late-afternoon screen time with a family walk or outdoor play to help burn off the day’s cortisol.

3. Practise Active Listening

When your child does open up, resist the urge to jump in with a fix or a lecture.

Simply being a calm, non-judgmental presence allows them to process their thoughts at their own speed. This builds the communication building block that is essential for long-term resilience.

Use parenting shoulder-to-shoulder-talk while driving, walking, or washing dishes—as many children find direct eye contact too confronting when discussing feelings.

4. Strengthen Your School Connection

You are not alone in this. Reach out to your child’s teacher to see if the behaviours you see at home are mirrored in the classroom. A unified approach between home and school ensures the child feels supported in every environment they inhabit.

Share specific observations with your child’s teacher rather than general concerns to help them know exactly what to look for in the playground.

5. Model Healthy Coping Habits

Children are world-class observers. Let them see you managing your own stress in healthy ways. If you have had a tough day, verbalise how you plan to handle it, such as taking a deep breath or going for a run.

Avoid hiding all your stress; instead, show them the process of moving from a state of frustration to a state of calm.

Finally…

Stay observant and maintain a supportive, practical presence.

Consider easing off on some of their responsibilities to prevent overwhelm and provide the scaffolding your child needs to find their feet again.

Provide some extra attention and treats so that they know they are loved and supported.

Primary school is a journey, with lots of ups and downs. With the right support, patience and care, your child can find their way back to their best self.