The event was presented as part of Inspire, the College's parent education program funded by the Parents' Association. Inspire offers a series of talks and workshops on topics relevant to raising and supporting young people today, covering mental health, cybersafety, resilience, and relationships, and provides parents with practical tools and a space to learn and connect with one another.
Hosted in partnership with Parenting Connection WA and Ngala, the evening, ‘Parental Guidance: Positive Solutions for Every Family,’ brought together John XXIII College families alongside parents and carers from across the wider community, united by a shared commitment to raising happy, healthy young people.
Dr Coulson delivered an engaging and thought-provoking presentation that challenged conventional parenting wisdom and offered practical, science-backed strategies for supporting children's growth and wellbeing. With warmth and humour, he encouraged parents to embrace a fresh perspective on family life, one grounded in connection, understanding, and positive communication.
A familiar face to many as the co-host of Channel Nine's Parental Guidance and co-host of Australia's most downloaded parenting podcast, The Happy Families Podcast, Dr Coulson brought both expertise and relatability to the evening. The author of 11 books and holder of a PhD in Psychology, his insights resonated with an audience eager to strengthen their relationships with their children.
The research is clear: children don’t need perfect parents, they need present ones. Connection is the foundation everything else is built on, and when we get that right, the rest becomes so much easier. I loved spending the evening with the John XXIII College community. The questions, the energy, the genuine desire to do better for their kids – that’s what gives me hope.
Dr Justin Coulson
‘Hosting Dr Justin Coulson at John XXIII College was a wonderful opportunity for our community. Inspire exists because we believe that when parents and the College work together, our students thrive – and evenings like this bring that partnership to life in a really meaningful way.’ Linda Spagnolo, Inspire Representative, John XXIII College Parents' Association
Following the presentation, guests were invited to continue the conversation over light refreshments, with many taking the opportunity to connect with one another and reflect on the evening’s key messages. The College is grateful to Parenting Connection WA and Ngala for their partnership in making this event possible, and to all who attended. Evenings like this reflect the spirit of our community, parents and educators working together in support of every child.
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