Parentshop

13/08/2026

Are you in a public-facing role, in an office, a school, NGO, a not-for-profit, or government?

You know the moment: someone's upset, defensive, or on the edge of losing control, and you're the one expected to hold the room.

Tough Conversations for Frontline Staff by the reputable training organisation, Parentshop, is a practical, evidence-based program built for exactly this. It addresses the complex interpersonal demands frontline personnel face when engaging with members of the public in high-emotion, conflict-laden situations, and gives you concrete language and techniques for de-escalating conflict, holding your ground without damaging trust, and staying steady when things get heated.

Tough conversations don't get easier with time. They get easier with skills.

27 August 2026 | 8.30am – 3.30pm
Newcastle - Club Macquarie
458 Lake Road, Argenton, Newcastle 2284

To register:
https://parentshop.arlo.co/register?sgid=2b7a98d6f31c46a8b9fc64418fb5dc59
$479pp (incl. GST)
Morning Tea & Lunch Provided

We appreciate you sharing this with your colleagues.

06/08/2026

Today is Australian Primary Principals Day, and it happens to land in Parentshop's 20th year. That's not a coincidence we take lightly. Twenty years ago, we set out to support the adults who shape children's lives, and principals have been at the centre of that work from the very beginning. To every principal we've trained alongside, learned from, and supported along the way: thank you. Here's to the next 20 years.

11/03/2026

10/03/2026

Something remarkable happened at the NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre on 27 February 2026. Over 200 school principals, educators, psychologists, health professionals and policymakers came together from across Australia — unified by one mission: to tackle the escalating anxiety crisis facing our children.

The Student Anxiety Summit wasn't a talk-fest. It was a turning point.
Here's what the data told us:
- 81% of primary school principals say student anxiety is a significant or major concern in their school
- 1.1 million young Australians aged 16–24 are currently living with an anxiety disorder
- The average age of a first anxiety diagnosis ist 11 years old
- 2 in 5 young people now have a need for mental health care
- And yet — only 5% of health budgets are allocated to mental health, despite it affecting 20% of the population

Professor Patrick McGorry AO put it plainly: "Anxiety is the gateway to more serious mental health conditions. We are in the middle of a youth mental health crisis. This trajectory, if unchanged, will define the wellbeing and productivity of a generation."

The Summit spoke with one voice: enough research. Time for action.

That action already exists. It's called The Anxiety Project — a whole-school community program developed by the NSW Primary Principals' Association and Parentshop Pty Ltd that is already reaching over 48,000 students across 143 schools.
And the results speak for themselves:
- Anxious behaviours declining in students
- Teacher confidence in managing anxiety rising from 43.8% → 66.4%
- Significant reduction in unhelpful parenting accommodations

The Summit called on government to fund and scale programs just like this one.
Is your school ready to be part of the solution?

Express your interest: https://www.nswppa.org.au/the-anxiety-project
Contact Hayley: 0404 011 135
Small Steps. Big Impact. Lasting Change.

A big thanks to all that made the Student Anxiety Summit unforgettable:

22/02/2026

THIS FRIDAY in Sydney: Are we equipped to support our anxious students?

Student anxiety has reached crisis levels – but there IS hope. Join Australia's leading educators, psychologists, and mental health experts at the Student Anxiety Summit this Friday, 27 February.

• Professor Patrick McGorry AO (Youth Mental Health) • Ms Angela Falkenberg (Australian Primary Principals Association)
• Mr Tim Lloyd (Principal)
• Ms Michelle Neaverson-Smith (Principal)
• Dr Charlotte Hespe (GP & Mental Health Advocate) • School leaders sharing real strategies that workAssociation)
• Dr Charlotte Hespe AM
• School leaders sharing real strategies that work
• Psychologists Michael Hawton & Jocelyn Brewer.

NSW Teachers' Federation, Surry Hills: $195pp | Limited spots available.

Learn practical, evidence-based approaches to turn the tide on student anxiety. Our young people deserve support systems designed FOR them.

Secure your ticket → www.parentshop.com.au

20/02/2026

LAST CHANCE - 6 DAYS TO GO!!
The Student Anxiety Summit is almost here – and spaces are filling fast.
27 February 2026 | 9:00am-3:00pm.
NSW Teachers' Federation, Surry Hills, Sydney.

Collaborate. Innovate. Act – Turning the Tide on Student Anxiety - join a stellar group of professionals in education, psychology and health tackling one of the most pressing issues in our schools today, student anxiety. This is your opportunity to collaborate to turn the tide on student anxiety.
The reality:
- 6.9% of Australian children aged 11 are diagnosed with anxiety disorders,
- If unaddressed, anxiety disorders rise to 32% among 16-24 year-olds,
- 81% of principals report anxiety as a significant school issue.

Designed for school leaders, deputies, wellbeing staff, GPs, psychologists and parents, this summit will explore effective early intervention models that create lasting impact.

Limited spaces available | $195 per person
Register now: www.parentshop.com.au

19/02/2026

Read the latest article by Parentshop's lead psychologist, Michael Hawton. The cost of student anxiety goes beyond time and resource cost, the cognitive and emotional load it places on teachers and school leaders is immense. Read the full article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/books-dont-balance-what-student-anxiety-really-costing-michael-hawton-xuvic

NSW Primary Principals' Association Claremont Meadows Public School Talk to Jocelyn - Psychology services The Anxiety Project

When we talk about the costs of education, we typically think about the day to day running of a school, staff wages, budgets, buildings, and books. But, there is an invisible ledger in Australian schools that rarely makes it into policy discussions—the escalating time, resource, and wellbeing cost...

17/02/2026

The Student Anxiety Summit is almost here – and spaces are filling fast.
27 February 2026 | 9:00am-3:00pm.
NSW Teachers' Federation, Surry Hills, Sydney
Collaborate. Innovate. Act – Turning the Tide on Student Anxiety

This is your opportunity to engage with leading voices in education and mental health, including keynote speaker Professor Patrick McGorry AO, one of Australia's Most Influential Educator Tim Lloyd, school staff driving outstanding implementation, Michelle Neaverson-Smith, Kath Spillane, The Anxiety Project school partner NSW Primary Principals' Association, allied health professionals and psychologists, Michael Hawton and Jocelyn Brewer tackling one of the most pressing issues in our schools today.

The reality:
6.9% of Australian children aged 11 are diagnosed with anxiety disorders
81% of principals report anxiety as a significant school issue
If unaddressed, anxiety disorders rise to 32% among 16-24 year-olds.

Designed for school leaders, deputies, wellbeing staff, GPs, psychologists and parents, this summit will explore effective early intervention models that create lasting impact.

Limited spaces available | $195 per person
Register now: www.parentshop.com.au

13/02/2026

The freight train coming at us....

Collaborate. Innovate. Act - it's time to turn the tide on student anxiety.

The Reality: 6.9% of 11year olds diagnosed with anxiety disorders, if left untreated it jumps to 32% by ages 16-24.
81% of principals say it's a major issue impacting Australian schools.

We often look for ways to "fix" a child’s anxiety, but the most powerful tool for change is actually us.

As Michael Hawton, psychologist points out, when adults shift their response to a child’s anxiousness, the entire dynamic shifts. It’s not just about managing a moment; it’s about creating a new environment where resilience can grow.

At the Student Anxiety Summit, we aren't just discussing the statistics. We are diving into the practical, evidence-based ways adults can change their responses to foster lifelong behaviour change.

Join us in Sydney on 27 February to learn the "how" behind this transformation.

Register here: www.parentshop.com.au

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NSW Primary Principals' Association