Australian Parents Council

16/06/2026

❤️ As our high schoolers navigate assignment deadlines, assessment periods, and future pathway decisions, academic anxiety can scale up quickly.

When your teenager is feeling overwhelmed, sometimes the most powerful thing a parent can do isn't to offer a solution, but simply to offer validation. Letting them know that their worth is never tied to an ATAR score, a report card, or a grade builds a lifetime cushion of psychological safety.

Quick tip for parents this week: Watch for changes in sleep patterns or irritability—they are often the first flags that a teen is struggling to cope with school pressure. Step in with a hot milo, a walk, or just a listening ear.

link https://parentandteen.com/teen-mental-health-research/

Learn about the science-backed strategies parents and caring adults can use to help improve teen mental health.

07/06/2026

☀️ Play is not a break from learning—it IS learning.

For our primary schoolers, unstructured recess and lunchtime play are critical fields for learning how to problem-solve, negotiate boundaries, share, and self-regulate. As schools navigate crowded curricula, the Australian Parents Council continues to advocate for the preservation of adequate physical activity and outdoor play times.

Unstructured play builds healthier bodies and sharper minds. Let’s make sure our kids have the time and space to just be kids! 🏃‍♂️🎒

06/06/2026

🍽️ Try this tonight: The 'Rose, Thorn, and Bud' exercise.

Asking a school-aged child "How was your day?" often gets you a one-word answer: "Good." If you want to bypass the wall, try shifting the dinner table conversation tonight with these three quick prompts:

🌹 Rose: What was the best or brightest part of your day?
🦔 Thorn: What was something that went wrong or felt challenging?
🌱 Bud: What is something you are looking forward to tomorrow?

Building emotional resilience and strong communication skills starts with these small, everyday moments of connection at home. Give it a go tonight!

04/06/2026

📣 Parents, let’s talk about the weekend rush. We know how much Aussie kids love their footy, netball, swimming, and dance. But with the current cost-of-living squeeze, filling up the petrol tank and paying registration fees is hitting household budgets harder than ever.

Sport and community activities shouldn't feel like a luxury.

👇 We want to hear from you: Have you had to make tough choices about after-school activities this term? How is your club supporting families? Let us know in the comments.

02/06/2026

📣 Parents, let’s be honest: 2026 is a massive balancing act. Between the cost-of-living squeeze on kids' sports, managing life after the under-16 social media ban, and just surviving the school morning rush—we see you, and we get it. Did you know that a recent national survey found that 47% of Aussie parents feel this year is more stressful than last, with 83% actively trying to fight screen fatigue at home? You are definitely not alone in feeling the pinch or the burnout.

At the Australian Parents Council, we are continually advocating for affordable schooling, safer digital spaces, and better mental health support for our kids.

👇 Let’s lean on each other in the comments: What is your biggest parenting hurdle right now? Are you cutting back on after-school activities, or have you found a clever way to unplug the screens? Let us know below!

22/04/2026

💙 Finding a bulk billing GP just got easier

The Australian Government has made changes to strengthen Medicare and support more GPs to offer bulk billing - helping families reduce out‑of‑pocket healthcare costs.

There’s a new Bulk Billing Information Kit with:

Clear information on what bulk billing means
Practical resources you can share with your family or community
A simple way to find bulk billing clinics near you

👉 Learn more and access the resources here:
https://www.health.gov.au/bulk-billing

Affordable access to healthcare matters for families, and these tools can help you understand your options.

2 likes. "Bulk Billing for all Australians – How to access bulk billing – Animated video"

25/03/2026

The AHRC is running the On Your Terms survey – an online survey that asks for young people’s views on consent, respectful relationships and s*x education.

https://survey.wallis.social/wix/p238440320387.aspx

09/03/2026

NAPLAN 2026: It’s Just a Snapshot! 📸
​As the testing window opens this Wednesday, March 11, the
Australian Parents Council reminds our community that while NAPLAN is a useful check-in, it doesn’t measure everything that makes your child unique.
​Our Top 3 Tips for a Stress-Free Week:

​Keep it Low-Key: Maintain your normal morning and evening routines.

​Focus on Effort: Remind them it’s a way to help teachers support their learning, not a "pass or fail."

​Prioritize Rest: A good night’s sleep beats last-minute practice every time.

​Let’s keep the pressure low and the support high. Good luck to all our students!

​

23/02/2026

NAPLAN testing for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will take place from 11-23 March 2026.

The Australian Parents Council (APC) wants to reassure all families that NAPLAN is just one snapshot of your child’s learning journey. It is NOT a measure of your child’s overall ability, potential, creativity or future success. ❤️

Here are a few simple ways families can support their children during this time:
✔️ Keep routines normal – regular sleep and healthy meals matter!
✔️ Reassure your child that effort is what counts, not just the result.
✔️ Avoid extra pressure – calm confidence helps more than cramming.
✔️ Encourage a positive mindset.

NAPLAN helps schools understand learning progress, but remember, your child is so much more than a test result!

If you have concerns about NAPLAN or your child’s wellbeing during the testing period, please speak with your school.

APC is here to advocate for families and ensure your voice is heard. Let us know what’s important to you!

🔗 Learn more:
https://www.austparents.edu.au
https://www.acara.edu.au

24/11/2025

This month, APC continues to amplify parent voices and strengthen national education conversations. Key updates include:

🔊 Advocacy on funding, bullying, childcare & Thriving Kids
🛡️ New safeguarding & medication training for boarding schools
🧠 My Mind Check – free wellbeing tool for schools
🎓 myfuture resources for student career transitions
🌿 Mount Roland Land Care outdoor learning initiatives
✍️ APC submissions on early childhood quality & inclusion
🌟 Spotlight on Board Member Ilham Sabry Ahamed

📄 Read the full November newsletter:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAG5Xzg5CjM/32G9YG8cEFXpem_pQBgVDg/view?utm_content=DAG5Xzg5CjM&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h84d62eca0e