Acting Principal's Message 

Year of Jubilee

Good afternoon everyone.  

It was my absolute pleasure to help train and coach the gymnastics teams alongside Mrs T leading up to our competition on Tuesday. Our gymnasts represented our school with pride and showed both respectful and responsible behaviour throughout the day. I am so proud of how our school is represented at these events in terms of their encouragement towards each other and their team spirit. Our staff and students are to be commended on building this into our school culture, and I am so grateful to be part of the St Laurence community. 

I will be stepping into Liz O'Loughlin's role in her absence until her return on Monday 13th October and Emily Sherriff will be replacing me in the classroom. We wish Liz a safe holiday. I can be contacted on croberts@stlleongatha.catholic.edu.au or by calling the school.

Merci

Christy Roberts

HOLIDAY REQUEST FORMS:  Whilst Liz is away, please send your holiday request forms to office@stlleongatha.catholic.edu.au

Please check out the SCHOOL INFORMATION page for information regarding taking holidays during school time.

HOT LUNCH CUT OFF TIME REMINDER

A reminder that if you wish to order a lunch for a Friday delivery, your order MUST be in by 9AM on Thursday.  Orders placed after this cut off time will be for the FOLLOWING Friday.  If you have any questions regarding your order or have queries, please contact Kelly's Bakery directly on (03) 5655 2061.

Last weeks article from Michael Hawton on anxiety was the last in this series.  We hope that you enjoyed the information.  You can get more information on anxiety from the Parent Shop website https://www.parentshop.com.au/

The article below is on 'children who lie' by Karen Tui- Boyes Speaker.  An interesting and insightful 5 minute read.

When Children Lie: What It Really Means and How to Guide Them with Love

Article from Karen Tui-Boyes Speaker Blog

Every parent faces it sooner or later — the moment your child tells a fib. Maybe it’s a small denial (“I didn’t take the biscuit!”) or a more elaborate invention (“A dragon ate my homework!”). Instinctively, you might worry: Is this a sign of a bigger problem? Should I be concerned?

The good news is that lying, especially in childhood, is a natural part of development. How you respond can make all the difference in whether your child grows into an honest, resilient communicator.

Why Do Children Lie?  Children lie for many reasons, and understanding the why can help you respond thoughtfully rather than reactively.

Sometimes, lying is simply about testing boundaries. Young children are learning what is acceptable and what isn’t, and a fib might be their way of asking, “What happens if I say this?” Other times, children lie to avoid consequences because they fear getting into trouble. It’s important to remember that this fear is often about self-protection rather than an intent to deceive.

Creativity also plays a role. Especially in younger children, the line between storytelling and lying can be beautifully blurred. Their imaginative minds are blooming, and sometimes they aren’t trying to trick you — they’re simply exploring possibilities. In other cases, children might lie to please the adults they love, hoping to avoid disappointing them. And occasionally, a lie may be a bid for attention, especially if a child feels overlooked.

It’s also helpful to remember that lying often looks different at different ages. Toddlers and young children (around ages 3–5) are still learning the difference between fantasy and reality. School-aged children (6–12) lie more intentionally to avoid trouble or seek approval. Teens, on the other hand, may lie as a way of protecting their privacy or pushing for independence. Responding with age-appropriate understanding is key. 

Should Parents Be Worried?  Not necessarily. In fact, occasional lying can signal important developmental milestones. It shows your child is beginning to understand that other people have different thoughts, is experimenting with social dynamics, and is growing creatively.

However, if lying becomes persistent, automatic, or manipulative — particularly if it’s accompanied by other concerning behaviours like aggression, extreme secrecy, or anxiety — it’s wise to gently dig deeper. Chronic lying might point to underlying stress, low self-esteem, or a bigger need for emotional support. In these cases, rather than labelling your child a “liar”, approach with curiosity and compassion, and seek professional support if needed.

Is Lying Linked to Creativity? Surprisingly, yes! Studies show that children who tell more elaborate lies often score higher on creativity tests. Lying, when it’s not harmful, can be a sign that a child is developing important skills like flexible thinking, problem-solving, and understanding social relationships.

Rather than viewing every fib as bad behaviour, it can help to see it as an opportunity to guide your child’s creativity towards responsibility and integrity.

How Parents Can Respond Constructively.  First, take a deep breath. When your child lies, the most powerful thing you can do is stay calm and curious.

Focus on the emotion behind the lie. Ask yourself: Was my child afraid? Embarrassed? Wishing for something magical? You might respond with something like, “It sounds like you really wish that dragon story were true. Can you tell me more about what really happened?”

Creating a safe space for truth is essential. Children need to know that telling the truth — even about mistakes — will not cost them your love. Praise honesty warmly, even when it’s difficult, by saying things like, “Thank you for telling me. That was a brave choice.” If honesty is consistently met with understanding rather than anger, your child will feel safer being truthful in the future.

It also helps to teach children that trust is like a bridge — something we build with every act of honesty. You can explain: “When you tell the truth, it helps make our bridge stronger.”

Rather than issuing harsh punishments, guide your child with natural consequences. For example, if homework wasn’t done and they lied about it, the result might be needing to spend extra time catching up — not a punishment, but a logical outcome. This approach teaches accountability without shame.

Channel imaginative lying into positive storytelling outlets. Invite your child to write stories, create puppet shows, or make up plays. Celebrate their creativity while helping them distinguish between fiction and fact.

Most importantly, model honesty yourself. Show your child that adults, too, make mistakes and tell the truth about them: “I forgot to send that letter. I’ll do it now.” Modelling vulnerability helps your child see that truth-telling is a strength, not a weakness.

Sometimes, when lying has hurt relationships, it’s important to teach children about “making repairs” — apologising, taking action to rebuild trust, and understanding that trust, once broken, takes time to mend. These lessons will serve them far beyond childhood.

You might also role-play honesty dilemmas together or discuss characters in books and movies who faced truth-telling choices. Questions like, “What might have happened if they told the truth?” can open rich conversations about values, empathy, and resilience.

A Final Thought: Raising Truthful, Courageous Kids

If your child is lying, it doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means they are growing — cognitively, socially, and emotionally.

By responding with understanding, consistency, and heart, you can guide them toward a lifetime of honesty, resilience, and authentic self-expression.

As Dr. Becky Kennedy so beautifully puts it, “Good kids sometimes do bad things. Our job is not to punish them out of their badness, but to guide them into their goodness.”

Links: behaviour guidance, child development, child psychology, emotional intelligence, honesty, lying in children, parenting, parenting tips, positive parenting, raising resilient kids

DIARY DATES

Lord our God, 

Care for your children here on earth, where it is often bitterly hard and where everything seems to turn against us. Keep us faithful in our inner life, drawing all our strength from you. For Jesus has promised to come to us, and you will send him in our time of need. Let your strong hand be with those who often do not know where to turn. Show us paths we can follow.

Amen.