St Raphael's School Parkside

06/09/2026

Building Positivity and Calm - turning Anxiety into Wellbeing

https://youtu.be/vAkaud-PZ4A?si=st5QQYIdiR8YUknk

We hope you have enjoyed our little audio recording series about anxiety.

At St Raphael’s school we know that anxiety is one of the main hurdles to positive student well-being, so we wanted to share some simple tools to help you understand what is happening in the brain – for your children and for you as the adults in charge of the children.

This series is for both adults and children alike, and we’ll be exploring these strategies more deeply - and seeing them in action - at our in-person community event. We’d love for you to join us, share your ideas, and see how we’re building a calm, respectful, and safe learning environment together here at St Raphael’s, please go to our website for the event details - it's free to attend and everyone is welcome.

Stay calm and all the best from St Raphael’s School in Parkside South Australia.
For more information or to attend our free Turn Anxiety into Wellbeing event click here https://www.raph.catholic.edu.au/news-events/anxiety-at-home-and-school

We hope you have enjoyed our little audio recording series about an...

04/09/2026

https://www.raph.catholic.edu.au/news-events/anxiety-at-home-and-school

04/09/2026

Positive Language at Home: to Reduce Anxiety

https://youtu.be/RUjOiOEvwWg?si=htj29zYgwAvXYnaZ

It’s about using language that reinforces what we want to see, not just what we don’t want to see. That means using clear, positive, and explicit language so expectations are easy to understand and predictable - which also helps reduce anxiety.

For example, instead of saying, “Don’t talk while I’m talking,” we can say:
“We show people we are listening by keeping our eyes on the speaker and our voices off.”

Or instead of, “Stop running inside,” we can say:

“We walk inside to keep everyone safe.” When we use calm language like this, we create a setting where children know exactly what’s expected - and that lowers everyone’s anxiety.

This approach also works with our emotions. We can use gentle, accurate language to describe feelings. For instance

• “You’re feeling sad,” instead of saying “You’re depressed”

• “You’re upset because they didn’t give you what you wanted,” instead of saying “They’re mean to you”

With adults it works to - For instance, we might say to ourselves,

“I’m such a bad parent for shouting,”

but instead we can say: “I didn’t handle that the way I wanted. I can take a few deep breaths and respond more calmly next time.”

Or we might say to ourselves “I just can’t do this anymore, it’s not working?”

instead we could say: “This didn’t go how I hoped, but I can adjust and try a different approach.”

This kind of self-talk helps lower anxiety for everyone and models emotional regulation for you and for your children.

For more information or to attend our free Turn Anxiety into Wellbeing event click here https://www.raph.catholic.edu.au/news-events/anxiety-at-home-and-school

It’s about using language that reinforces what we want to see, not ...

02/09/2026

Healthy Anxiety: Everyday Tools for Managing Stress and Building Wellbeing

https://youtu.be/bK5Pm9Z178Y?si=9TXVqoKD4IcJOikN

First, it’s important to know that anxiety is a normal and healthy part of being human. It’s actually part of our body’s survival system - the part that helps keep us safe. Without it, we wouldn’t notice danger, prepare for challenges, or take steps to protect ourselves.

But sometimes, anxiety can start working a bit too hard. When we don’t have tools to manage it, it can make us feel overwhelmed or unsafe, even when we are completely okay.

The good news is that anxiety doesn’t have to take over. When we learn calming tools - like belly breathing, positive self-talk, or taking a mindful moment to pause - anxiety becomes something we can manage. In fact, it can even motivate us to do our best, to plan ahead, and to handle challenges calmly.

Here’s something really important to remember:

Anxiety is part of being human - for both adults and children. When you use these tools to manage your own everyday stresses, you’re not only helping yourself - you’re showing your child how to manage their feelings, too.

Every time you take a deep breath, or slow down, or choose a calm response, you’re teaching your child that it’s possible to feel anxious and still be okay.

For more information or to attend our free Turn Anxiety into Wellbeing event click here https://www.raph.catholic.edu.au/news-events/anxiety-at-home-and-school

First, it’s important to know that anxiety is a normal and healthy ...

01/09/2026

For more information or to attend our free Turn Anxiety into Wellbeing event click here https://www.raph.catholic.edu.au/news-events/anxiety-at-home-and-school