End of Term 2 2025
It is that time of year again when Catholic School Parents WA looks forward to celebrating the positive activities that P&Fs/Parents/Principals engage in, within their Catholic school communities. At a time when many of the stories we hear around education and schools in general, tend to be of a negative nature, we are very aware that there is lot of fantastic work going on, as parents and schools work together in the best interests of students and children.
We also know that whilst we are often not very good at 'blowing our own trumpets' it is important that we take time to celebrate and commend the wonderful activities going on in our schools.
In some recent anecdotal research being conducted by CSPWA, parents consistently say that 'community' is a key reason for their choice of Catholic education for their children and young people. We are of course first and foremostly 'Communities of Faith" and this has many meaningful benefits. They include:
- Spiritual Growth by engaging in formation experiences and shared beliefs which enhance the sense of connection with God.
- Faith communities offer emotional and moral support, helping members navigate life's challenges.
- Faith communities in particular encourage service, allowing members to contribute to causes which enhance the life and experiences of others.
- Being surrounded by like-minded individuals fosters a strong sense of belonging and shared purpose which contributes to the wellbeing of all in the school community.
If you see someone or some group in your school community that engages in positive actions or activities that contribute to some of the outcomes listed above, why not nominate them for a CSPWA Award of Excellence in Building Positive School Communities.
We look forward to presenting the awards on August 1 at The Guildford Hotel!
Siobhan Allen
Nominations are now open for our 2025 Awards of Excellence in Building Positive School Communities.
The awards are an integral part of work that CSPWA does in acknowledging and celebrating the amazing work that is carried out within our Catholic school communities.
The awards celebrate those within our school communities who demonstrate positive outcomes for students, families, and the wider school community. Nomination forms for all 5 categories are available here:
Agnes Weymouth Nomination Form
Please send your nominations through to admin@csp.wa.edu.au by Friday, 18th July.
As always, the nominees will be celebrated at a special event on Friday, 1st August at The Guildford Hotel.
Wednesday, 11th June saw the 71st Annual General Meeting of CSPWA take place via Teams. Thank you to all those who took the time to attend online.
In a similar format to previous years, the meeting papers were all forwarded in advance to those who registered for the AGM, and the reports therefore taken as read on the evening. Thank you to CSPWA President, Alan Buckley, who chaired the meeting ensuring that the proceedings were conducted in line with our governance requirements. As a not-for-profit organisation registered with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission, it is important that our work is underpinned by good and transparent governance, and which all of our members can see through the AGM.
The 2025 AGM papers included reports from the President, Treasurer and the Executive Director in addition to the financial reports and the Auditors report. The report by the Executive Director includes the work completed by the office staff during the course of the year, and whilst it is not an exhaustive list, it provides a detailed compilation of the operational activities of the office.
This year's AGM agenda also included a request to membership to make some amendments to the CSPWA constitution. The amendments are mostly around language ensuring that it reflects comptemporary practice with the key change being changing the name of CSPWA 'Council' to the CSPWA 'Board'. As per the requirements of our constitution all proposed changes were discussed and endorsed by the office of the Archbishop of Perth, and then forwarded to all schools for input 28 days before the AGM. We are delighted to report that all changes were accepted through a motion at the AGM and the necessary protocols will now be followed to finalise the process.
To review the AGM booklet, please click here, and to view our updated constitution, please click here.
The AGM also includes the opportunity for parents from affiliated schools to nominate to the CSPWA Board. The nominations to date for the year ahead include:
Alan Buckley Bunbury Catholic College
Catherine Howarth Prendiville Catholic College
Georgie Elle St Kieran Catholic Primary School
Renee Bennett St Peter's Catholic Primary School
Orla Burrows Mary's Mount Catholic Primary School and La Salle College
Sofia Ietto-Conti St Augustine's Catholic Primary School
Cathy Farrell Padbury Catholic Primary School and Sacred Heart College
We welcome our new members and look forward to working together in the best interests of our children and young people.
If any parent whose school parent group is affiliated with CSPWA is interested in finding out more about what the role of councillor entails, please do not hesitate to contact Siobhan at siobhan@csp.wa.edu.au
CSPWA Board and staff look forward to working hard on behalf of all parents who choose a Catholic education for their children in Western Australia.
CSPWA recently had the privilege of hosting Dr. Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s most trusted parenting experts, for two insightful sessions, the first being around Anxiety and how it impacts our children and young people today. The second session was entitled Parental Guidance and explored the different areas that parents are needing help with, including the online environment and access to social media. Justin's expertise and engaging approach provided parents with practical strategies to support their children through the various challenges including anxiety while at the same time fostering a nurturing home environment.
Justin's presentation delved into the complexities of childhood anxiety, explaining how seemingly minor worries can accumulate into overwhelming stress. His guidance on resetting the nervous system and managing anxiety effectively resonated deeply with parents, equipping them with tools to help their children regain a sense of control.
Beyond anxiety, Justin explored modern parenting challenges, including screen time, peer pressure, and mental health. His insights, drawn from years of research and personal experience as a father of six, provided actionable advice that parents could immediately implement. His emphasis on open communication, emotional intelligence, and resilience-building empowered families to create stronger connections.
Parents left with a renewed sense of confidence, armed with strategies to navigate their children’s emotional struggles while keeping the vital lines of communication open, particularly with tweens and teenagers. Justin's ability to easily explain complex psychological concepts into relatable, easy-to-apply advice made his presentations both engaging and impactful.
You can find more information and advice on Justin's website at https://happyfamilies.com.au or through the podcast he hosts with his wife - The Happy Families podcast.
Catholic School Parents WA would also like to sincerely thank Mr Mark Antulov, Principal of Ursula Frayne Catholic College who generously allowed us to use the schools' facilities for both presentations. This allowed us to provide this event free of charge to our affiliated schools for which we are most grateful. Mark's staff at both sessions were wonderful and a true sign of what it means to be part of a Catholic school community.
Padbury Catholic Primary School P&F would like to invite you to their next Parent Education Session!
Join us on 23rd July @6pm as Susan McLean, Australia’s leading Cyber Safety expert, presents a powerful and informative session on keeping kids safe in the digital world.
This important and engaging session, led by Australia’s foremost expert in Cyber Safety, Susan McLean, is designed to educate and empower parents and carers about the realities of the online world. With over 30 years of experience, Susan delivers a wake-up call for even the most tech-savvy adults, offering clear, practical advice in her trademark no-nonsense style.
The session will explore both the benefits and the dangers of technology, providing up-to-date information on the apps and platforms children and teens are using. Susan will cover critical topics such as online grooming—what it is, how it happens, and how to spot the warning signs—as well as cyberbullying, including its emotional and legal impacts.
Parents will gain insight into issues like sexting and sextortion, problematic gaming habits, and exposure to harmful content, including online pornography and sites that promote self-harm or disordered eating. The session will also offer practical strategies for managing devices in the home, setting boundaries, using parental controls, and fostering open communication with children.
This is a must-attend event for anyone wanting to better understand and support their child’s digital life. The session concludes with a Q&A opportunity. To book your spot, please register here: https://www.trybooking.com/DCOMO
