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My News: February 2026

01 February 2026

Welcome to a new school year!

We’re excited to work with your family this year and help your child do their best at school.

Some of our corporate partners have created special messages of support and encouragement for your family.

A corporate partner is a business or organisation that donates money or resources to help The Smith Family. They believe in education and want your child to achieve their dreams.

Watch the video to hear their messages of encouragement. You might like to watch this with your child. It’s a great way to remind them that there are people cheering them on.

Starting the year well

Adult helping a smiling school-aged child put on a school uniform shirt.

When children start a new school year, it is normal for them to feel excited and a bit nervous. With your support, your child can feel comfortable and ready to learn.

Here are 3 simple tips to help:

Make a simple morning routine with your child. Do things in the same order each day. This helps your child feel confident and know what to do.
Ask positive questions about their day. Listen to how they feel. The Raising Children website has good tips for talking about school.
Check your child’s school bag. Look for notes or newsletters. Some schools share news online. Ask your school if you’re not sure where to find this.

If your child feels worried

If your child seems worried about school or their work:

Speak to the school as soon as you can.
Schools have lots of experience in dealing with concerns.
They understand these feelings and know how to help.

Not sure where to start? Click below to see who can help at your child’s school.

You can also talk to your Family Partnership Coordinator anytime. They can work with you to find extra support for your child, if you decide that’s what they need.

Find their contact details in My Smith Family.

Extra help with school costs

If you are finding it hard to keep up with school costs, you’re not alone. Many families feel the same way.

There is support available. Each state government has different programs that can help with things like:

vouchers for uniforms or activities
help to pay for excursions
money towards school supplies

To see what support might be available for your family, choose your state below:

You can also talk to your child’s school if you’re struggling with school costs. Most schools have financial assistance programs for families.

We know it's not always easy to reach out. You might feel nervous, unsure what to say, or have had past experiences that make it difficult.

Your Family Partnership Coordinator is here to support you. They can help you understand your options, talk with the school, or connect you with services if that’s something you’d like.

Learning starts at home

A new school year is a fresh start for your child and your support at home makes a big difference. You don’t need to be an expert - your interest and encouragement help your child feel confident and ready to learn.

Helping your child learn at home

As your child grows, the kind of help they need will change. But at every stage, your involvement keeps them motivated, builds strong habits, and helps them feel positive about learning.

Even small actions, like reading together or asking about their day, can make a big impact.

Click to read practical ways to support your child’s learning at home.
Creating a learning space at home

Having a special place for learning at home helps children focus and feel ready to learn. It shows your child that education is important and part of everyday life.

It doesn’t need to be big or fancy, even a small space can make learning easier and more enjoyable.

Click to find simple tips to create your own learning space.

Safer Internet Day – 10 February

Adult sitting with a child using a laptop together at a kitchen table.

Safer Internet Day is a global event that reminds us to keep the online world safe for everyone.

The internet connects us more than ever, it’s where we learn, work, and socialise. This also means online risks are part of everyday life.

Here are 5 ways you can help your family stay safe online:

Talk to your child about what they do online. Let them know they can come to you if something feels wrong or unsafe.
Keep personal details private. Remind your child not to share their full name, address, phone number, or school online.
Install parental controls. Use parental controls on devices and apps to block unsafe content, set time limits, and monitor activity. Read Understanding Parental Controls for a handy guide.
Use strong passwords. Choose passwords that are hard to guess and don’t share them with others.
Be careful with links and messages. Don’t click on links or open messages from people you don’t know.

Want to learn more?

Visit eSafety or explore our Digital Skills Hub for helpful tips and resources on online safety.

Start the year fresh in My Smith Family

Person holding a smartphone displaying a website on the screen.

Starting a new school year is busy, but taking a minute to log in to My Smith Family can make things easier.

Checking My Smith Family regularly is a simple way to stay ready, receive messages and Scholarship payments on time.

Log in now to see if there’s anything you need to do.

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We’d love to hear what you think!

At the end of each article, click the ‘thumbs up’ or ‘thumbs down’ buttons. You can also write a comment if you want. This helps us know what you like and what we can do better.

You can also read past editions of My News, watch webinars, and log in to My Smith Family.

​My News: February 2026