Australian Parents Council

29/07/2026

📊 NAPLAN 2026 Reports Are Arriving: What Parents Need to Know

Term 3 is underway, which means Individual Student Reports (ISRs) for NAPLAN 2026 are on their way to parents and carers of Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 students!

We know that test disruptions can be unsettling for families. Here is a quick guide from APC on what to keep in mind when reading your child’s report this year:

Careful Interpretation for Writing (Years 5, 7 & 9): Due to a technical disruption on the first morning of online testing, ACARA has included a specific caveat on writing reports for Years 5, 7, and 9 advising that results should be interpreted with care.

Year 3 Students: Year 3 writing tests were completed on paper and were completely unaffected by the platform issue.

One Snapshot, Not the Whole Picture: NAPLAN measures proficiency across standard levels (Exceeding, Strong, Developing, Needs additional support). However, it is just one test on one day. It doesn't replace the ongoing assessment and care provided by classroom teachers every day.

Not a Pass/Fail Test: NAPLAN is designed to highlight strengths and areas for development, not to act as a pass/fail hurdle or school entrance exam.

A big thank you to all the educators and school staff who helped our kids navigate testing week with care and support! If you have any questions about your child’s individual experience or results, reach out to your child's teacher—they have the best insight into their ongoing progress.

For full details,

visit 🔗 nap.edu.au/naplan.

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.

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