The Parent-Teacher Project

Reading is one of the most important foundations of a child's learning, but how do we help children move beyond simply being able to read and develop a genuine love for books?

In this episode of the Parent Teacher Project, we speak with Joshua Woolnough, primary teacher, mentor and literacy coach at Redfield College, about the role literacy plays in a child's development and the simple ways families can nurture a culture of reading at home. The conversation also looks at the challenge of screens and distraction, the value of shared reading experiences within families, and how stories can help children—and adults—develop empathy, imagination and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Discussion Points:

• How to nurture a genuine love of reading at home and create an environment where books are part of everyday family life.

• Giving children some freedom to choose what they read, while gently encouraging them to explore books that challenge and expand their interests.

• Making reading a shared experience through conversations, reading aloud and simply spending time together with books.

• Building healthy reading habits and finding balance with screens and devices.

• Helping children navigate the growing world of books and online recommendations, while creating space for open conversations.

• Book recommendations for children, teenagers and parents, including classics, modern fiction and stories that can support imagination, empathy and personal growth.

References mentioned in the episode:

Books

For younger readers:

• Redwall Series — Brian Jacques

• The Chronicles of Narnia — C.S. Lewis

• The Hobbit — J.R.R. Tolkien

• Charlotte's Web — E.B. White

• Bridge to Terabithia — Katherine Paterson

• I Am David — Anne Holm

• The Wind in the Willows — Kenneth Grahame

• Grimm's Fairy Tales — Brothers Grimm

• Fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen

• Dog Man — Dav Pilkey

• Airborn series — Kenneth Oppel

• Artemis Fowl series — Eoin Colfer

• Eragon — Christopher Paolini

• Alex Rider series — Anthony Horowitz

• Ranger's Apprentice — John Flanagan

For older readers and adults

• Watership Down — Richard Adams

• The Lord of the Rings — J.R.R. Tolkien

• Books by Brandon Sanderson

• Life of Pi — Yann Martel

• The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas — John Boyne

• The Book Thief — Markus Zusak

• Frankenstein — Mary Shelley

• A Farewell to Arms — Ernest Hemingway

• All Quiet on the Western Front — Erich Maria Remarque

• Books by Jane Austen

• Middlemarch — George Eliot

• Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine — Gail Honeyman

• A Man Called Ove — Fredrik Backman

• The Wheel of Time series — Robert Jordan

Study Mentioned:

• "Fiction and Empathy" — Dr Raymond Mar / I think he is referring to the paper by the same author: Stories and the Promotion of Social Cognition

Apps and Tools for Device Management:

• Brick - a physical device and accompanying app that allows users to block selected apps and reduce distractions.

• Shift / Shift Your Focus – a platform designed to help users reduce distractions and be more intentional with their device use.

• Goodreads - useful platform for reading reviews, finding recommendations and connecting with groups that share suitable book suggestions.

Join the Conversation

We'd love to hear your thoughts. What resonated most with you from this conversation, and what is one reading habit or tradition you would like to try with your family?

You can:

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Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

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Teaching has never been easy, but many educators today are facing increasing pressures, growing workloads, and a profession that can sometimes feel isolating. In this episode, we speak with Eugene Choi and Milad Khalil from the Pared Foundation about the vision behind I Am A Teacher (IAT)—an initiative created to support teachers not just as professionals, but as people.

They explore the importance of reconnecting educators with their original sense of purpose and how authentic community, personal growth, and renewal can help teachers move from simply surviving to truly flourishing.

• The challenges contributing to teacher burnout and shortages
• Why teachers need support beyond professional development
• The vision behind the I Am A Teacher initiative
• Rediscovering purpose and meaning in teaching
• The impact of authentic community among educators
• Lessons from the first IAT event
• The teachers who inspire us and why they matter
• What teachers can expect from future IAT gatherings

You can:

Learn more about I Am A Teacher and its upcoming events on the PARED Foundation website

Register for our next IAT Event here

Follow this initiative on Instagram @iamateacher.au

Know a teacher who would benefit from encouragement and connection? Share this episode with them.

School refusal, anxiety around camps or school events, and the daily struggle of getting children out the door are becoming increasingly common challenges for families.

In this episode, we speak with Dr Jenny Brown, an experienced child and family health practitioner with over 35 years working in child and adolescent mental health and founder of the Parent Hope Project. She offers a refreshing perspective grounded in family systems theory, helping parents understand the "worry cycle", the difference between support and over-accommodation, and how staying calm, connected, and curious can help children recover confidence and resilience.

Discussion Points:

• Why focusing first on fixing the anxiety may unintentionally reinforce avoidance and dependency.

• Understanding the "worry cycle" and how parental over-monitoring can unintentionally fuel a child's struggles.

• The difference between protecting and over-protecting children during difficult moments.

• What it means to be a "loving leader" — calm, supportive, and steady without over-controlling.

• Practical ways to respond to difficult school drop-offs and emotionally charged mornings.

• How to navigate situations like camps, athletics carnivals, and school events without simply giving children a "leave pass".

• The importance of parent-school partnerships when supporting children through school-related challenges.

• Why managing parental anxiety and staying emotionally regulated can help children rebuild confidence and resilience.

Helpful Resources:

• www.parenthopeproject.com.au
• https://www.jennybrown.info/
• The Parent Hope Podcast
• New Book: The Parenting Paradox Australia

Join the Conversation

When your child faces discomfort or reluctance, how do you usually respond — do you tend to rescue, reassure, problem-solve, or pause? How can you support your child through challenges while still encouraging their independence and resilience?

We'd love to hear your thoughts. What resonated most with you from this conversation, and how have you helped your child navigate moments of school reluctance or anxiety?

You can:

Follow us on Instagram @theparentteacherproject

Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

How can hobbies help children grow—not just in skill, but in confidence and self-understanding?

In this episode, we are joined by Abi Lee, who shares her personal journey with neurodiversity and how hobbies and interests have played a powerful role in shaping her identity. Together, they explore why hobbies are more than just "extra activities"—they are essential spaces where children, especially those who are neurodivergent, can thrive, connect, and discover their strengths.

Discussion Points:

• What neurodiversity means and how it shapes the way children experience the world

• Abi's journey with autism, ADHD, and self-understanding

• Why hobbies are essential for confidence, identity, and emotional regulation

• The role of hobbies as a safe outlet—especially for neurodivergent children

• How parents can support children who jump between interests or hyper-focus

• The importance of patience, communication, and giving children agency

• Using children's interests as a powerful way to build connection

Join the Conversation

What hobbies or interests help your child come alive?

How can you create space for them to explore what they love—without pressure or comparison?

We'd love to hear your thoughts—share this episode with another parent or continue the conversation with us.

You can:

Follow us on Instagram @theparentteacherproject

Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

Daryl Castellino is the current Director of Teaching and Learning at Redfield College. He shares practical tips on how our children can become the best learners. In this episode, we talk about why it's so important that your child learns beyond the test. This episode is designed to help your child become a lifelong learner.

You don't want to miss:

• Identifying your child's learning style
• Why we need to learn beyond the test

Resources:

• https://www.education.vic.gov.au/documents/childhood/professionals/support/egsls.pdf

Related Episodes

• Helping Diverse Learners
• What Is Deep Learning In The Classroom?
• The Importance Of Sleep For Academic Performance

You can:

Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast

Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

In this episode of The Parent-Teacher Project, we speak with Nick Giorgiou, Head of Sport at Redfield College, father of four, and lifelong athlete, about how sport can shape the character of young people and help them thrive in today's world.

Nick shares how discipline, resilience, teamwork, and emotional intelligence learned through sport extend far beyond the playing field. He reflects on the life lessons that come from both victory and failure, and how sport offers young people a powerful space to grow in confidence, connection, and character.

Discussion Points:

1. The Role of Sport in Character Formation

Nick explains how sport helps young people grow essential virtues such as perseverance, generosity, and self-mastery—traits that prepare them for challenges in school and life.

2. Learning from Failure and Building Resilience

From missed goals to lost games, Nick highlights how setbacks teach valuable lessons about perseverance, humility, and growth.

3. The Power of Teamwork and Communication

Sport creates opportunities to work with others, develop leadership, and learn how to move together toward a common goal—even with people you might not always agree with.

4. Emotional Intelligence on the Field

Nick discusses how emotional regulation, self-awareness, and reading others' emotions are as crucial to success as physical skill—and how coaches and parents can nurture these qualities.

5. Encouraging Without Pressure

For parents whose children aren't naturally "sporty," Nick highlights ways to make movement enjoyable rather than obligatory; focusing on fun, participation, and connection instead of results.

6. Broadening the Definition of 'Sporty'

Nick invites listeners to expand their view of sport to include diverse activities—from rock climbing to dance—emphasising openess and enjoyment over competition.

Join the Conversation

Sport is more than a game; it's a classroom for life. It's where young people discover the value of effort, learn to handle success and disappointment, and experience the strength of teamwork and friendship.

How do we, as parents and teachers, nurture these lessons beyond the field? How can we model discipline, humility, and respect when emotions run high; whether we're cheering from the sidelines or guiding a PE class?

Perhaps most importantly, how can we ensure sport remains a joyful space for every child, regardless of skill level or competitiveness?

We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Share your own stories or reflections with us online, how has sport shaped you, your students, or your children?

You can:

Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast

Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

In this thought-provoking episode of The Parent-Teacher Project, Alex Perrottet, Dean of Warrane College at UNSW sits down with Associate Professor Xavier Simmons, Master of Warrane College and Director of the Plunkett Centre for Ethics at ACU, to unpack the growing anxiety epidemic among young people — and how smartphones, social media, and modern parenting might be shaping this "anxious generation.".

The conversation covers the importance of leading by example, the role of legislation in managing children's access to social media, and the powerful influence of parental modelling when it comes to healthy device use. They discuss the growing parental involvement in young adults' lives—such as writing resumes, attending interviews, and even negotiating grades—and how these good intentions can undermine self-reliance.

The discussion also delves into risk aversion, the decline of in-person social interaction, and the need to cultivate resilience and agency among young people. They reflect on the role of reading and engagement with great books as antidotes to screen addiction and as a pathway to deeper reflection, imagination, and emotional maturity. Finally, Xavier shares insights from the Harvard Human Flourishing Study, shedding light on what truly contributes to long-term wellbeing—such as stable family life, strong social relationships, and cultivating meaning and purpose.

Discussion Points:

• Parental Modelling and Example: why leading by example in technology use is one of the most effective ways to guide children towards balanced habits.

• Social Media and Legislation: The potential benefits and limits of policies that restrict children's access to social media and online content.

• Over-Parenting and Self-Reliance: How well-meaning parental involvement can hinder independence and responsibility.

• Risk and Resilience: The importance of allowing young people to face challenges, take risks, and experience failure as essential components of growth and maturity.

• Building Face-to-Face Connections: Why fostering in-person conversations and community engagement is key to developing empathy and authentic human interaction.

• The Power of Reading: How reading good literature can help young people rediscover imagination, reflection, and emotional growth in contrast to passive digital consumption.

Find out more on:

The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt

Join the Conversation

As parents, educators, teachers and mentors, we all share a role in helping young people navigate an increasingly digital world. What habits do we model at home? How can we create opportunities for children to face small challenges, make mistakes, and grow in confidence?

Reflect on your own family's relationship with technology:

• Are you modelling the balance you hope your children will learn?

• What boundaries could help strengthen face-to-face time at home?

• How can we encourage reading, meaningful conversations, and a love for learning in our children?

• And most importantly, how can we teach them that true flourishing goes beyond screens—it lies in connection, courage, and character?

We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Join the conversation by sharing your reflections or tips on creating a more mindful, resilient, and flourishing family life.

You can:

Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast

Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

In this episode of The Parent-Teacher Project, we sit down with dietitian and body image advocate Meg McClintock to discuss how parents and educators can help children develop a healthy, positive relationship with their bodies. From the impact of social media and "selfie culture" to the subtle messages children absorb at home, Meg shares practical strategies for fostering resilience in young people.

Discussion Points:

• What "positive body image" really means — and why it's not about constant self-admiration
• How today's culture of constant photos and video calls affects self-perception
• The influence of early comments and compliments on a child's self-worth
• The pressures boys and girls face in a world of curated, filtered images
• Why resilience is more realistic than complete protection from body image pressures
• Practical tips for parents to create a "safe harbour" at home
• How to model positive body talk and shift the focus from appearance to what bodies can do

Want to learn more about the importance of the body?

• Upcoming TeenSTAR training: Register HERE
• Choose Nutrition

Join the Conversation

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode. How do you foster a healthy body image in your home or classroom? Share your experiences and tips with us on social media using #ParentTeacherProject or send us a message at [email protected]. Your insights could inspire other parents and educators facing the same challenges.

You can:

Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast

Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

In this episode of The Parent-Teacher Project, host Lucia Garcia sits down with Manal Azzi, school counsellor at Tangara School for Girls and a therapist with over 15 years of experience. Together, they explore how parents can support their children's emotional development, model emotional regulation, and respond constructively to the emotional challenges children face at home and school.

Discussion Points:

• Why Emotions Matter: Emotions are vital for healthy relationships and self-understanding. Ignoring them can lead to future challenges.

• Emotion Coaching Steps: Notice your child's emotions, use them as a chance to connect, listen with empathy and validate, help them name the emotion, set limits and find solutions together.

• What Parents Can Do: Be calm, consistent, and compassionate. Model healthy emotional behaviour and avoid dismissive phrases.

• Supporting Teens: Teens need non-judgemental support and space to talk. If big emotions are frequent, it may be time to seek professional help.

• Talking with Boys: Teach emotional language early. Use daily moments to show that feelings are normal and safe to express.

Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. John Gottman's Emotion Coaching model

• Upcoming TeenSTAR training: Register HERE

Join the Conversation

We'd love to hear your experiences. What has helped you stay calm and connected when your child is having a meltdown? Have there been moments where simply acknowledging your child's feelings changed the outcome of a situation? Reflection can often bring clarity, and your insights might be just what another parent needs to hear.

Join the conversation with us online. You can comment on our latest post or message us. Let's support one another as we guide our children with compassion and courage.

You can:

Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast

Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

In this episode, we sit down with John Soulemezis, school counsellor at Redfield College, to unpack the Netflix series Adolescence. John shares insights on major themes the series raises around identity, masculinity, the online world, and emotional wellbeing. More importantly, he translates these themes into practical advice for parents, teachers, and anyone helping young men navigate today's challenging landscape.

Discussion Points:

• What Adolescence captures about the modern teenage experience
• The role of dialogue and open communication in building trust with boys
• Why healthy role models of masculinity are more important than ever
• The impact of the online world — both visible and invisible — on teenage identity
• How parents and educators can respond with understanding and hope

Join the Conversation

What stood out to you from Adolescence? What challenges have you faced supporting teenagers today? How are you opening conversations about masculinity, identity, and the online world in your home or classroom?

You can:

Follow us on Instagram @theparentteacherproject

Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website

Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday

Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes