Family Matters

Family Matters is here to support and inform, not to replace professional advice or the care your family already receives.

Parenting brings moments that matter – some joyful, some challenging and many that can leave you wondering what to do next. From mental health conditions and big feelings to screen time struggles, friendships and the changes that come with adolescence, these experiences can feel overwhelming- not just for the child, but for the whole family. That’s why Catholic Schools Maitland-Newcastle has partnered with leading Australian parenting experts to create resources designed to support family wellbeing, enhance student learning, and empower parents in their role as the primary caregivers of their children.

Emergency support

If you or your child are in immediate danger or need urgent support:

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An important message as you read through this site

On this site, we use the term parents to describe any family member, carer, guardian, kinship carer, or other adult who takes on a parenting role for a child through care, guidance, and education.

When we use the word family, we are referring to the many different types of families and the immediate and extended family members who play an important role in children’s lives.

The information shared on this site, including within linked resources, is intended to support general wellbeing only. It is not medical, psychological, or professional advice and may not take into account your family’s individual circumstances.

Links to external websites are provided for your convenience, so you can access credible, evidence‑based information. Catholic Schools Maitland‑Newcastle does not control, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, or completeness of content on external sites.

For advice or support tailored to your child or family, we encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified health professional.

Our schools also value strong partnerships with families. If you have questions or concerns about how your child’s school can support you or your child, we invite you to contact the school directly. You can find contact details by selecting your child’s school from the list below.

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The team behind Family Matters values input on how to continually provide relevant and practical content to families across Catholic Schools. If you have suggestions, requests or queries, please use this form to share.

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Anxiety, school avoidance and mental health

Mental health and anxiety

Anxiety, school avoidance and mental health

Mental health is an important part of every child and teen's overall wellbeing. While it is normal for children and adolescents to experience stress, anxiety, sadness and emotional ups and downs from time to time, there are occasions when these challenges become more persistent or begin to affect their relationships, learning, daily functioning or sense of hope. As parents and carers, it can be difficult to know when to be concerned, what signs to look for, or how best to support a child or teen who is struggling. The information linked in this topic is designed to help you better understand common mental health challenges, including anxiety, school avoidance, depression, self-harm and suicidal distress. It also provides practical, evidence-informed strategies to strengthen resilience, support emotional wellbeing and guide conversations about seeking help.

1h 12m Karen Young
Big feelings and behaviour

Big feelings and behaviour

Big feelings and behaviour

Strong emotions are a natural part of growing up, for children and for teens. When big feelings lead to challenging behaviour, it can feel confusing and exhausting for families. Children and adolescents are still developing the skills needed to recognise, manage and express emotions, and behaviour is often a sign of stress, overwhelm or unmet needs. This topic is designed to help parents and carers better understand what sits underneath children’s and teens’ behaviour. It offers practical, evidence informed strategies to support emotional regulation, strengthen connection, and respond with empathy while maintaining clear and consistent boundaries.

27m Dr. Justin Coulson
Friendship, belonging and bullying

Friendship, belonging and bullying

Friendship, belonging and bullying

Friendships play a central role in children’s and teens’ wellbeing, sense of identity and connection to school. Feeling accepted and valued by peers supports confidence and resilience, while difficulties such as conflict, exclusion or bullying can deeply affect a child or adolescent’s emotional health and willingness to engage in learning. As parents and carers, it can be hard to know how best to support children and teens through changing social worlds. The information linked to this topic is designed to help you understand how friendships develop across childhood and adolescence, recognise signs your child or teen may be struggling socially, and respond in ways that promote safety, belonging and healthy relationships.

10m Dr. Justin Coulson
Growing up: early years to teens

Growing Up: early years to teens

Growing up: early years to teens

From the early years through to adolescence, children’s brains, emotions and relationships change significantly. These developmental shifts influence behaviour, communication and independence, and can sometimes challenge the connections within families. This topic helps parents and carers understand key stages of development from childhood through the teen years. It offers insight into why children’s and adolescents’ needs change over time, and how to stay connected, supportive and responsive as your child grows.

Karen Young
Neurodiversity and learning differences

Neurodiversity and learning differences

Neurodiversity and learning differences

Children and teens experience, process and respond to the world in many different ways. Neurodiversity and learning differences are a natural part of human variation and can influence how children and adolescents learn, communicate, regulate emotions and engage socially. This topic supports parents and carers to better understand neurodiversity and learning differences, recognise individual strengths, and respond to challenges with compassion and flexibility. The focus is on fostering understanding, advocacy and environments where children and teens feel valued for who they are.
Screen time, cyber safety and AI

Screen time and online safety

Screen time, cyber safety and AI

Digital technology is an everyday part of life for children and teens, offering opportunities for learning, creativity and connection. At the same time, navigating screen time, online safety, social media and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence can feel complex and overwhelming for families. This topic is designed to support parents and carers to make informed, balanced decisions about digital use for children and adolescents. It offers guidance on setting boundaries, supporting online safety, and having developmentally appropriate conversations with children and teens about responsible and respectful digital engagement.

14m Dr. Justin Coulson
The parenting toolkit

The parenting toolkit

The parenting toolkit

Parenting children and teens is complex, rewarding and demanding. What works at one stage of development may change as children grow, and families often need new strategies as their children move through different ages and challenges. This topic brings together practical tools, strategies and encouragement to support parents and carers raising children and adolescents. It focuses on strengthening relationships, responding constructively to challenges, and building confidence in your parenting approach.

3m Dr. Justin Coulson