Welcome to the 2020 school year. It's been an incredibly challenging summer for many families and I'd like to wish everyone all the best as they try to settle back into the school routine.

The bushfires have affected thousands directly and countless others indirectly and the trauma and the anxiety they've caused are likely to have an impact for many years. My family and I were caught up in events on the NSW South Coast, so I have personal experience, and APC is committed to doing everything we can.

In our role as an advocate for parents, I have already been part of discussions with government on what's needed to support families, especially on mental health issues. We particularly called for parents and families to be included in programs being rolled out in schools, for specific advice for parents on how to approach conversations with children and access for young people to counselling.

We have included lots of links to help, advice and information below in this newsletter and details of a community summit to push for action.

We are also very keen to hear from you about what you think is needed. If you have any issues you think we should be raising with education leaders and decision makers on this or any other subject, please let us know. Just contact us with any big ideas or small and we will put them forward.

The new school year also brings all the usual challenges for parents of getting kids settled in, establishing a good relationship with your child's new teacher, and being organised so that the whole family gets to where they've got to be, at the right time, with all the right stuff, ready to learn and make the most of school.

Getting on top of lunchboxes is a great place to start. So we've added some links to our very own Healthy Lunchbox Hacks for Busy Parents videos made in conjunction with Nutrition Australia. They are designed to help smooth your path to school in the morning and make sure your kids are eating well.

In 2020 we will be sending out monthly newsletters in term time full of parent-focussed content. Please feel free to share any or all of the information with your networks. We'd feel honoured if you did.

We look forward to working with, for and alongside all parents, schools and educators in support of our young people, and I wish you all have a happy, healing and productive year.

Jenni Rickard - APC President