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Starting school is a big moment in a child’s life, with new routines, new people and new places. These changes can also mean it’s a stressful time. But it doesn’t have to be, writes Fiona Boylan.

opinion
opinion
Fiona Boylan
opinion
Practice makes perfect for your child’s first day at school

Starting school is a big moment in a child’s life, with new routines, new people and new places. These changes can also mean it’s a stressful time. But it doesn’t have to be.

Fiona Boylan

Kids in the Northern Territory will be forced to sing both verses of the national anthem, under new rules. NewsWire / Martin Ollman

EDUCATIONNational anthem mandates in Aussie schools

Some Aussie kids will be required to do one thing at school assemblies under new rules introduced to promote “national pride”.

Ria Pandey

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EDUCATIONCall for 5-minute rule in Aussie schools

A group of medical experts are pushing for a new five-minute rule in Aussie schools that they say would “quite literally save lives”.

Ria Pandey

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newsKids game pulled from shelves at Aldi

A popular kids game sold at Aldi has been pulled from shelves over concerns it poses a “serious risk of injury or death”.

Pamela Rontziokos

Australian mum Renee has been forced to set the record straight after she was accused of leaving her baby alone on a beach.

ParentingComments‘Chill’: Aussie mum responds after leaving baby on beach

An Aussie mum has been forced to respond after she was met with a wave of criticism over a video showing her leaving her baby on a beach.

Max Corstorphan

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CRIMEPremiumUrgent warning after Aussie schools hacked

An expert has warned of ways hackers who have access to the data of thousands of Aussie students could exploit that information.

Emma Kirk and Eli Green

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NEWSTragic find in search for missing 3yo boy

Police have made a tragic discovery after a three-year-old boy last seen wearing a Spider-Man shirt went missing.

Eli Green

Ferntree Cricket Club President Lee Thompson said it was ultimately up to authorities to look at what happened to see if safety could be improved for players. NewsWire / Josie Hayden

CRICKETHeartbreak over son’s ‘pure accident’ death

The parents of a teenage cricketer who died in a tragic training accident have spoken publicly about their son’s tragic and “pure accident” death.

Emma Kirk

“Study tools with clear purpose.” 

Study skills and habits that will make all the difference in 2026

Ann Spence has worked decades alongside students, teachers and families and lends her advice.

Top Marks Learning Centres

Sponsored
Australian children will be eligible for three days of subsidised early education and child care each week.

NewsWhy 100k parents are getting subsidised childcare

More than 100,000 families will be eligible for subsidised childcare under sweeping New Year’s reforms.

Nathan Schmidt

Parricide is distinct from other types of homicide, with a 50-50 ratio of female and male victims. NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

NewsHorrific act Australia can’t escape

Australia continues to confront alarming levels of family and domestic violence, and this “act of betrayal” has flown under the radar.

Emma Kirk

A young boy helped paint bees onto a toy box to honour Bondi victim Matilda. Facebook/Little Bay Yarra Bay La Perouse Phillip Bay Malabar Maroubra Photo Group

newsCommunity’s act for Matilda stuns locals

The Bondi tragedy has sparked an extraordinary community response, with painted bee tributes appearing across Sydney beaches in Matilda’s memory.

Pamela Rontziokos

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UPDATEDPremiumAussie professor’s death rocks the nation

A world-leading marine ecologist and major university leader who made significant contributions to conservation in Australia has died.

Pamela Rontziokos

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COURTUpdate on parents accused of baby’s death

Two parents facing criminal charges related to the death of their baby son – who was allegedly neglected to the point of death – have had their charges upgraded in court.

Emma Kirk

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NEWSPremiumUni blunder emails students wrong results

An email “processing error” at one of Australia’s most prominent universities has caused widespread confusion after students received incorrect exam results alongside their own.

Andrew Hedgman

Laws banning social media for children could be coming to France in 2026. (AAP PHOTOS)

ParentingPremiumFrance flags laws to ban social media for children

French President Emmanuel Macron has flagged an Australian-style law banning social media for children under 16.

Staff Writers

A member of the public leaves the scene with her child, who is covered in an emergency blanket, after the shooting at Bondi Beach.

NSW NewsCommentsHow to talk to kids about terror attacks like Bondi

Everything you need to know about broaching the topic of terrorism with your kids — including the one thing parents should never do.

David Johns

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newsPremiumMeet the ‘remarkable’ 360g tiny baby

Tipping the scale at an incredible 360 grams, Charlie Jones is believed to be the tiniest baby ever born in Queensland.

Pamela Rontziokos

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NewsPremiumStickers recalled over asbestos fears

The ACCC has recalled sand stickers sold at toy stores, pharmacies and book shops across Australia and online over asbestos fears.

Emma Kirk

Outlawing smacking was one of 136 recommendations made by Ms Despoja when she handed down the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence in August. Martin Ollman

newsPremiumState’s call on controversial smack ban

Parents will be given an answer on whether they can “moderately” smack their children as punishment after a Royal Commission recommended it be banned.

Eli Green

A mum who lost her son to suicide has issued a stark warning to any parent who attempts to help their child get around the new social media ban.

TECHNOLOGYMum’s touching tribute as teen ban kicks in

A mother who lost her son after he took his life following severe social media bullying has revealed her touching tribute to him, as Australia’s new social media ban for kids under 16 kicks in.

Eli Green, Nathan Schmidt and Alexandra Feiam

A woman has been charged after she allegedly assaulted an off duty cop who removed four children from a parked car at a Bass Hill shopping centre. NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

CrimePremiumWoman’s wild act after ‘kids left in car’: cops

An off-duty cop was allegedly assaulted by a woman after removing four children from a parked car on a hot day.

Emma Kirk

Anthony Albanese says the global community is “looking at Australia” over the landmark social media bill. Photo: Gaye Gerard / NewsWire

LIVEPremiumHidden catch in kids’ attempt to avoid ban

Aussie teens are already looking for ways to bypass the country’s landmark under-16 social media ban after it kicked in. But there’s a major catch as authorities warn these companies “know” about what’s going on.

Alexandra Feiam, Nathan Schmidt, Eli Green

Advocates want a national approach to child safety, with a dedicated federal minister in charge. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

ParentingPremiumNew federal body, ministry proposed to protect kids

An inquiry has heard that greater federal oversight is necessary to stop child predators from exploiting gaps in Australia's childcare sector.

Farid Farid and Andrew Stafford