Association of Parents and Friends of Independent Schools ACT

Home
Australia
Weston Creek, ACT
Association of Parents and Friends of Independent Schools ACT

APFACTS supports parents, guardians and caregivers of students attending independent schools in ACT

13/03/2026

𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐠𝐞: 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬

𝙅𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙕𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝘾𝙞𝙧𝙘𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣-𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙡 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙉𝙚𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚
𝙣𝙚𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙚𝙙𝙜𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙥𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣.

𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙃𝙍 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡-𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. 𝙒𝙚'𝙡𝙡 𝙪𝙣𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮-𝙩𝙤-𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙟𝙤𝙗 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣, 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙪𝙞𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆:
*A clear, non-clinical understanding of neurodiversity and why it matters at work
*Practical, low-cost ways to reduce barriers and support strengths (without performative inclusion)
*Better language and leadership habits that build psychological safety
*Real examples of what works in employment and entrepreneurship pathways
*One concrete change you can implement in the next 7 days

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿:
*Leaders and managers
*HR, people & culture, and DEI practitioners
*Women in business and aspiring leaders
*Community allies who want practical tools, not theory

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁:
*In-person panel discussion + audience Q&A
*A respectful, psychologically safe space (curious over critical; no diagnosis requests)

𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆:
Raffy Sgroi business strategist and coach, and a graduate in neurodiversity design. Raffy supports workplaces and services to build neurodiversity-affirming practices by strengthening policies and practical day-to-day systems, so inclusion works in real life.

𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 :
*Melanie Greenhalgh - Collective Wisdom & Coaching
*Patricia Falcetta - Social Living Solutions
*Ros Kewley - ACOLA
*Debi Bannerman - Zosimos Curra®

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿:
Canberra Business Chamber

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲:
Were committed to a welcoming, respectful environment. If you have access needs, please reach out when booking so we can do our best to support you.

https://bit.ly/HerZestMarch17?

Tuesday, 17th March
6.00pm - 8.30pm
EQ Cafe, Kent St, Deakin

13/02/2026

Does your parent body know its advocacy rights?

Many school communities want to influence policy but don't know where to start. Or worse, they advocate ineffectively and damage relationships with government.

Here's what effective advocacy requires:

✏️ Clear, evidence-based messaging
✏️ Understanding the decision-making process
✏️ Building relationships before you need them
✏️ Knowing when to collaborate vs. when to push

APFACTS helps non-government schools parent bodies navigate this complex landscape with confidence.

Want to strengthen your school's advocacy capacity? Let's talk about how we can support your community.

Email us or visit apfacts.org.au

13/02/2026

Advocacy starts with the right strategy. Want to amplify your school community's voice? Discover our top tips for effective advocacy and see how small actions can drive real change. Ready to lead with confidence? Connect with APFACTS today. 💡

09/02/2026

Social Media Age Restrictions: What Parents Should Know About the New Rules

There's been a lot of talk about social media bans for young people. As parents, it's important to understand what's happening and what it means for your family.

Here's what you need to know:
📱 Age restrictions are being introduced in various jurisdictions
📱 The focus is on protecting younger children from harmful content and algorithms
📱 Schools are developing digital citizenship programs
📱 Parents play a crucial role in monitoring and guiding screen time

But here's the reality: Rules alone won't protect our kids. What matters most is:
✓ Open, honest conversations about online safety
✓ Understanding what platforms your child is using
✓ Setting clear family guidelines around screen time
✓ Modelling healthy digital habits yourself

At APFACTS, we believe parents and schools working together create the safest environment for our young people.

What's your biggest challenge when it comes to managing your child's social media use? Let's discuss in the comments.

04/02/2026

Is your teen safe online? 🔒

In today's digital world, cybersecurity isn't just an IT issue, it's a parenting issue. From social media hacks to phishing scams, our young people face real online threats.

Here are some essential tips to help protect your child:
✓ Help them create strong, unique passwords
✓ Enable two-factor authentication on important accounts
✓ Talk openly about online risks and suspicious messages
✓ Set privacy settings on social media accounts
✓ Monitor their digital footprint regularly

Want more detailed guidance? Check out our ParentHub resources for comprehensive digital safety tips tailored to different age groups.

What's your biggest concern about your teen's online safety? Share in the comments, let's support each other as parents!

04/02/2026

👥 Bullying & Peer Relationships: Creating Safe Spaces for Our Young People

Bullying, whether in-person or online—can have lasting impacts on a child's confidence, mental health, and academic performance. Here's how you can help:

What parents can do:
✓ Talk regularly with your child about friendships and school
✓ Know the signs: withdrawal, anxiety, reluctance to attend school
✓ Report concerns to your school immediately
✓ Support your child's emotional needs with patience and understanding
✓ Encourage kindness and inclusive behavior at home

Schools have clear anti-bullying policies and support systems in place. If your child is experiencing bullying, don't wait, reach out to your school and access available support services.

Together, we can create a culture of respect and belonging. What positive peer relationships look like starts at home. 🤝

03/02/2026

🧠 Mental Health Matters: Supporting Your Child's Emotional Wellbeing

Anxiety, stress, and emotional challenges are increasingly common in young people. As parents, you play a crucial role in supporting their mental health.

Key things to remember:
✓ Listen without judgment
✓ Normalize talking about feelings
✓ Watch for changes in behavior, sleep, or appetite
✓ Don't hesitate to seek professional help when needed
✓ Take care of your own mental health too

Your independent school has counsellors and support services available. If you need additional resources or want to discuss mental health strategies, check out ParentHub or contact your school directly.

Let's create a supportive community for our young people. 💙

02/02/2026

When schools unite, real change happens. 🙌

Through collective advocacy and coordinated effort, we secured:
✏️ Increased recognition of non-government school contributions
✏️ Stronger voice in policy discussions affecting our communities
✏️ Greater understanding among decision-makers about school choice

This wouldn't have been possible without the dedication of school leaders who showed up, spoke up, and stood together.

When independent schools work collectively, we amplify every voice and achieve outcomes no single school could reach alone.

Is your school part of this powerful network? Let's talk about how APFACTS can support your advocacy goals.

02/02/2026

The purpose of this group is to provide an opportunity for people to practice and build confidence in speaking English as well as to develop and strengthen social networks and connections within the community.

The participants choose a weekly theme, and an informal discussion and activities are designed around this topic.
The group is held every Tuesday during school terms 10 am-12 pm at Communities at Work, 5 Felstead Vista Denman Prospect.

There is no cost to participate, and tea and coffee are provided.
Check our website for more community events: https://bit.ly/3PUaTCJ

02/02/2026

📱 Digital Wellbeing: Navigating Screen Time in Today's World

Social media and screen time are integral to modern childhood, but excessive use can impact mental health, sleep, and social development. Here's what parents should know:

✓ Set healthy boundaries on device use
✓ Encourage offline activities and face-to-face interaction
✓ Model good digital habits yourself
✓ Talk openly about online safety and cyberbullying

Your child's wellbeing matters. If you're concerned about your child's digital habits, reach out to your school's wellbeing team or visit our ParentHub for resources.

What strategies work for your family? Share in the comments below.

01/02/2026

It's almost here! Next week marks the start of a new school year for students across Canberra's independent schools. Whether it's their first day or their final year, this is a time of fresh starts, new friendships, and exciting opportunities.

At APFACTS, we're here to support parents and carers every step of the way. From school choice to advocacy on the issues that matter, we're your voice in education.

Here's to a wonderful year ahead for our students and families.

Address

Weston Community Hub
Weston Creek, ACT
2611

Website

http://www.apfacts.org.au/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Association of Parents and Friends of Independent Schools ACT posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Association of Parents and Friends of Independent Schools ACT:

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Weston Creek?

13/03/2026

13/02/2026

13/02/2026

09/02/2026

04/02/2026

04/02/2026

03/02/2026

02/02/2026

02/02/2026

02/02/2026

01/02/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Organization

Shortcuts

Share

Category