Nathan Smith

Manager of Wellbeing in the education sector. Former school leader, teacher, and counsellor (M.A.C.A.). Passionate about youth mental health & wellbeing.

[Tom Bennett OBE @tombennett71]

NEW ARTICLE:

Restorative justice- it doesn’t restore and it isn’t just. Apart from that, I like it.

My article in @Education_NI latest quarterly. Link below.

[Catholic Schools NSW @CathSchoolsNSW]

The 2026 Catholic Schools NSW Education Law Symposium will be held on Monday, 6 July.

Designed for leaders involved in the management and governance of Catholic schools, systems and agencies, this in-person symposium will unpack complex governance challenges, share expert perspectives, and examine current regulatory issues in the school sector.

This year, the theme of the Symposium will be Stewardship and Service.

We hope you can join us! Registrations will open soon.

#CSNSW #Education #EducationLawSymposium

[Nathan Smith @nsmithonline]

It has been an honour to lead this work on behalf of the entire Catholic sector in NSW. However, there is much to do to continue to support the formation of confident and competent young Catholic women and men of conscience… #CRRE #RespectfulRelationships #CatholicEducation

[Catholic Schools NSW @CathSchoolsNSW]

📣 MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT – CONSENT AND RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS EDUCATION CURRICULUM SUPPORT RESOURCES 🎉

We’re pleased to share the news of the successful rollout of the Live Life to the Full curriculum support resources across the NSW Catholic education sector.

These resources, which are grounded in a Catholic understanding of the human person – created in the image and likeness of God, endowed with inherent dignity, and called to live in right relationship with others –support schools in the formation of young people intellectually, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

Developed by Choicez Media and delivered in partnership with Catholic Schools NSW, the Live Life to the Full resources strengthen the delivery of Consent and Respectful Relationships Education (CRRE) by equipping teachers to teach with confidence, consistency, and care. The resources also affirm respect, responsibility, and the dignity of every person.

Funded by the Australian Government under the Consent and Respectful Relationships Education Federation Funding Agreement, this initiative forms part of our broader commitment to student wellbeing, safety, and the flourishing of school communities shaped by respect, compassion, and the common good.

💻 Teachers, support staff, and system leaders in NSW Catholic schools can log into the platform via the following link: https://t.co/jAEgg6hRRU

#CRRE #RespectfulRelationshipsEducation #CatholicEducation #student #wellbeing

[Nathan Smith @nsmithonline]

What a great story of courage and resilience! Well done young man! 👏

[Hugh Riminton @hughriminton]

The 13 year old who tried to think “the happiest thoughts” as he swam 4 kilometres through rough seas to save his mum and two siblings. A great Australian hero.. and yarn. https://t.co/Qu0Bk0Hz38

[Nathan Smith @nsmithonline]

.@TransportforNSW More bus cancellations, no-shows, and late services. Not a great start to the new 174X timetable. Another example of profits before people! #NorthernBeaches #transportNSW #SydneyBuses

[Nathan Smith @nsmithonline]

To my teacher colleagues - wishing you all the best for 2026. To the students, I hope 2026 is a fun and exciting year for your learning (with positive growth). And to the parents - go gently and walk in partnership with your child’s school. Remember, it takes a village… ✝️🙏

[Catholic Schools NSW @CathSchoolsNSW]

Welcome back to our Catholic school communities across NSW! We hope you had a joyful Christmas and New Year.

Wishing all students and staff a wonderful start to Term 1, 2026, and every success for the year ahead!

[Nathan Smith @nsmithonline]

🕎🙏

[Anthony Albanese @AlboMP]

Today, Australia marks a National Day of Mourning.

We honour the 15 innocent lives taken in the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, and stand with their families, loved ones and the Bondi Chabad community.

We will never let hate win.

All Australians are encouraged to mark this day. Light a candle, pause for a minute of silence at 7.01pm, and stand with one another.

Flags are flying at half-mast across the country as we mourn together.

This is a day of remembrance. And a day of unity.

Because light will always be stronger than hate.

[Parnell Palme McGuinness @parnellpalme]

So now the Bondi terror attack is being spun as a gun issue.

Let’s be clear, I am grateful for gun control in this country. But we need to get serious about values control as well.

After the Christchurch massacre the focus was on values first and guns as the enabler. We should apply the same logic this time.

[Catholic Schools NSW @CathSchoolsNSW]

Catholic Education statement on Bondi terrorist attack

Last night, members of the Jewish community peacefully gathered to celebrate a religious festival when an appalling act of terror occurred.

Our Jewish brothers and sisters have again experienced violence and fear in a way that has not been seen in New South Wales in living memory.

As a faith community, Catholic Education condemns antisemitism in all its forms. There can be no tolerance for hatred, intimidation, or violence directed at any religious or cultural group. Every person has the right to worship, gather, and celebrate in peace and safety.

Jewish leaders for some time, have warned that antisemitism is increasing and safety is at risk, we pray for the strength and determination of all those in authority to respond as they should.

In this season of Advent, our hearts are filled with hope, but now also sorrow. Catholic school communities across New South Wales pray for the souls of those who were murdered, for their families and loved ones, and for all who have been traumatised by this act. We pray for wisdom and courage for those entrusted with public safety, and for renewed commitment to protecting social harmony, human dignity and swift justice.

Pope Saint John Paul II once said to the Jewish community in Rome: “You are our dearly beloved brothers, and in a certain way it could be said that you are our elder brothers.” These words resonate deeply today.

Catholic schools stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and reaffirm our shared commitment to peace, justice, and respect for all.

[NSW Police Force @nswpolice]

If you're struggling after today’s events, know that help is available 24/7.

NSW Mental Health Line: Call 1800 011 511
@LifelineAust: Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online.
@KidsHelplineAU: Call 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
@beyondblue: Call 1300 22 4636 or chat online.
@1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or chat online.
13 Yarn: Call 13 92 76.
@MensLine_Aus: Call 1300 78 99 78.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).

[Nathan Smith @nsmithonline]

@tombennett71 👏

[Tom Bennett OBE @tombennett71]

No child should be on social media. It's a corrosive and exploitative environment that many adults are unprepared to process and remain healthy. It habituates the compulsive desire to be online, disconnecting from the physical reality we inhabit; it compels our attention but rewards it with junk; it destroys our ability to think deeply over time, and replaces it with an appetite for novelty, turmoil, annoyance and trivia.

Tech companies object to these restrictions because they don't care about the wellbeing of its customers, only that it has customers. They won't change their model, ever, unless they are made to. In this jungle of might makes right, governments are the only institutions large enough to face down these predators.

They hide behind a defence of freedom of speech, because they know how much we value that. But freedom of speech entitles one to the right to hold and express options without legal challenge. It does not mean that you must be allowed to express them anywhere you choose. I cannot address Congress, or Parliament, or demand that I take part in my neighbour's private conversations.

And children stubbornly remain children. They are not small adults, and we have a duty of care over them until they obtain the legal rights of adulthood. We don't let them smoke, or take drugs, or vote, or drive, until they reach the age of majority. We protect and guide them, and scaffold their independence until they can stagger off into the world with all the skills we can manage.

https://t.co/AUPaCdjzeE

[Tony Abbott @HonTonyAbbott]

My piece in the @australian this morning

[Nathan Smith @nsmithonline]

I’m lost for words… What a sad and tragic event for this young lady and her family. And what about the argument that the defence put up?? I mean, please?? The purps should be dealt with to the full extent of the law…

[Nigel Farage MP @Nigel_Farage]

A 15 year old girl was raped by two Afghan asylum seekers in Warwickshire.

The lawyer blamed the attack on “cultural differences” and said his client “was not used to a society where women are free and deemed equal to men”.

This defence is exactly the reason they shouldn’t be here in the first place, as I have said for years.

[Nathan Smith @nsmithonline]

Yes, parents know their child best, but please - this is ridiculous!! This is woke gender ideology and should be deemed child abuse! How have we come this far as a society…

[Stephanie Bastiaan @stephbastiaan]

Forty-six Queensland kindergarten children have been nominated as ‘non-binary’ by their parents this year.

Kids do not think or question if they’ve been born in the wrong body unless it's been suggested to them. It is reprehensible that adults are imposing gender ideology on kids and inflicting them with gender distress.

I spoke to Peta Credlin on @SkyNewsAust this week about this and my concerns about QLD kindergartens normalising gender ideology by asking for pronouns and gender identity on enrolment forms.

#qldpol

[Nathan Smith @nsmithonline]

Happy Monday! Enjoy this glorious Spring weather… and be kind to yourself… 🙏

[Eminent_minds @minds_eminent]

Start each morning by reminding yourself of THREE THINGS

[Nathan Smith @nsmithonline]

@tombennett71 The Rt. Hon. Sir Nick Gibb gave you a shoutout at the Knowledge Society’s Australian School Improvement Summit today in Sydney. It was nice to see the connection made to your work in school improvement… 👏

[The Educator @TheEducatorAU]

Education Ministers from across the country will meet on Friday to consider a new national standard on anti-bullying, Jason Clare has announced.

https://t.co/LEJfuu33AY

Cyberbullying #TheEducator #eSafety #EducationPolicy

[Catholic Schools NSW @CathSchoolsNSW]

You are invited to join us for the Catholic Schools NSW 2025 K-12 Curriculum Reform Conference on 29 and 30 September.

If you haven't registered yet, be sure to purchase your tickets soon, as spots are filling up quickly.

If you have already purchased your ticket, you can access more information by downloading the Whova Conference App. Follow the instructions in the email sent to you and select your breakout sessions and access speaker information.

With sessions designed to challenge thinking and inspire action, this is a conference not to be missed.

Access the programme and tickets here: https://t.co/HW43aKE0hn

#CSNSW #2025CurriculumReform #EnliveningHeartsMinds

[Nathan Smith @nsmithonline]

I’m delighted to be part of the next @ACUmedia Aquero Lecture Series 2025, which is on 15 October 2025.

Register now via the following link and join me for this interesting conversation: https://t.co/o7pFJdQ8Ni

[The Educator @TheEducatorAU]

The Australian Principal Occupational, Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey shows school leaders are among the most hardworking in the world, averaging 54.5 hours per week during term.

https://t.co/z3NgjpACS6

#education #schoolleadership #principals #workload