Bayside Family Network

From the Chaplain

Our school is subscribed to the Happy Families School Membership! Owned and run by Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s leading parenting experts, the membership offers a wealth of parenting education and resources.

We will regularly share resources available through our membership with you, including Insight Articles and Live Webinars. You can also access your resources at any time using the below URL and password.

 The password is happybcc

You have access to 4 live webinars a year (one per term). We will announce upcoming webinar details in the Insights articles. You’ll have access to the recording via our school’s URL but as the webinars are live, we recommend you watch them in real time so that you can ask Dr Justin and / or the guest presenter any questions you may have.

Mental Health is on everyone’s lips. There are countless news articles about mental health every year – in fact over the course of a typical day, there are more articles published about mental health than there are about other hot topics like AI, the risk of a recession, and even Taylor Swift!

With 44% of Australian adults having experienced a mental disorder over the course of their lives, and 1 in 5 having experienced symptoms of a mental disorder over the last 12 months, it’s no surprise that Google searches for mental health queries reached an all-time high in 2021.

Australian parents and Aussie kids are struggling. Anxiety, depression, and burnout are breaking too many of our kids, and too many of us. Parents are floundering. Children are languishing. Our mental health services are overwhelmed. And we need answers and help. Now. In the past 20 years, researchers have made enormous progress on how we can increase wellbeing, even when mental illness is a part of our lives. And in this webinar, Dr Justin Coulson – one of Australia’s leading parenting and wellbeing speakers – will walk you through the most cutting-edge stats, strategies, and supports to build wellbeing in your family, your children, and even in you! Join this webinar to learn:

• how to flourish even if you or your kids are in the midst of mental health challenges
• the 5 most powerful evidence-based interventions to build a flourishing life
• the secret to a life well lived, and
• the biggest risk factors and protective factors of mental health.

We hope you enjoy the Insights and webinars!

Bless you, 

Ps. Kathy Scott

College Chaplain

Community Meals Program

As part of the Bayside Family Network's community outreach, we have an abundance of frozen meals available in the deep freezer in the Community Room. If you know of a family or member of the community who we can bless with some meals, please contact Pastor Kathy Scott via email or call College Reception.

Prayer Group

The Bayside Prayer Group meet every Monday morning from 9am in the Community Room (M2) to pray for the College. Parents, carers and staff are welcome to join at any time. The group also frequently meet at 7.30pm on Monday evenings to walk around the College grounds. For more information please contact Bek Shelling on 0403 804 972.

Community Playgroup

The Bayside Community Playgroup runs every Thursday from 9am to 10:30am for children aged 0-5 years for indoor play, craft, painting, creative play, story time and sing-a-long while parents and carers supervise playtime and enjoy a cuppa and light morning tea. Cost is $2 per child to attend each week. Please pack a nut-free snack and water bottle for your child. No booking required.

About the Network

The Bayside Family Network is the College community care and support arm of Bayside Christian College. Established in 2018, the Bayside Family Network engages with the College community to connect, build and support families. We do this by creating opportunities for parents/carers, staff and the broader College community to connect with one another and build solid relationships in a Christ-centred environment.

The Network currently provides care and support to both Bayside Christian College staff and families through the following programs:

• Prayer Group
• Playgroup Victoria
• Meals Program
• Educational Workshops
• Class Carer Support
• Uniform Exchange

The network is currently overseen by the College Chaplain Pastor Kathy Scott, and is supported by a group of committed volunteer parents. Parent/carer participation is welcomed at Network events and with organisation. 

Parent participation is a great way to play a more active role in your child’s education. There are a variety of ways to become involved, and many of the programs offered at Bayside Christian College require parental support. If you would like to learn more about ways you can be involved around the College, please email Lis O'Brien