The Anxiety Project
The 2025/2026 intake of the project has been extended into 2025.
We are still taking schools for participation in the Anxiety Project for 25-26. It’s not too late to join for this year
- An information session will be held for those interested in joining this year, 9.30-11.00am on Wednesday, 21 May 2025.
To express interest (and find further information about the Project). Close of expressions of interest has been set so you have time to discuss with staff and community, EOI’s close Monday 16 June 2025.
- The data is showing significant changes in teacher confidence in recognising anxiety and knowing how to respond. Staff are also reporting marked improvements in their wellbeing as they realise how much changes they are making have improved outcomes for students.
Further information Rob Walker rob.walker@det.nsw.edu.au or Hayley Cravigan gm@parentshop.com.au
Click here to complete the EOI Form
The expression of interest to participate in the 2025/2026 intake of the project has been extended into 2025.
Further Resources and information below:
Free webinar:
Please see below the Zoom link to watch the record of the session.
Please also see a link to download a PowerPoint you can use with your executive, P&C or team: https://app.box.com/s/bubxcwnwgcnpw8nddso8jpt5l4gkg39z
If you have any questions about the project or would like a presentation at your local PPC meeting you can contact The Anxiety Project General manager on on 0404 011 135.
Through The Anxiety Project the NSWPPA provides an early intervention solution for childhood anxiety. The project is a two-year supported commitment and addresses a number of factors and populations. The following will be addressed by building the capacity of school leaders, teachers, school staff and parents to reduce children’s anxiety levels in NSW schools:
- School Leaders - through professional learning for school leaders they will design protocols and establish a culture
within their schools aimed at helping children build resilience. - Implementation Coaches (ICs) - through having ICs in schools it will be possible to support teachers (through in-class
mentoring) and parents (through the provision of parent education groups). - Teachers - through the provision of professional learning for teachers it will be possible to counter anxiety habits in
children, as they arise in the school environment. - Whole School Staff – through the provision of professional learning for all staff it will be possible to
counter anxious behaviour in a consistent and one-on-one setting with those children needing additional support. - Parents - by providing family management training for parents, we can equip parents to better deal with a child’s
mild-level anxiety at home.
There has been some recent press around the positive results the research component of the project is demonstrating for both kids and the school staff involved in the project. You can see links to these recent interviews and articles below:
Click here to view the ABC TV News Breakfast Interview
Click here to view the 2GB 7.30am news Interview
Click here to view the ABC Breakfast Radio Interview
Click here to view the The Educator Interview
As you may be aware, in November 2019 the Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) conducted a survey of Australian Principals. The resulting report, The Impact of Childhood Anxiety in Primary School, showed that Australian school children appear more anxious than ever before. Some key findings from that report:
• 81% percent of principals reported that children’s anxiety is a significant issue within their schools.
• 91% percent of principals reported that anxiety places major time and resource pressure on schools.
• 82% percent of principals reported that there are insufficient resources to deal with the issue.
As a result of this report, the New South Wales Primary Principals’ Association (NSWPPA) commenced work with Parentshop to develop a project to address high levels of anxiety among children in New South Wales primary schools, designed by Principals for implementation in schools. Due to the success of the project since launching in 2022, The Anxiety Project is now available to all Australian schools with primary aged students.
You can fill out an EOI here for updates and more information:
Click here to complete the EOI Form
If you have any questions about the project or would like a presentation at your local PPC meeting you can contact The Anxiety Project General manager on on 0404 011 135.