Cappetto and Cappetto

In the matter of *Cappetto and Cappetto*, Watts J made orders concerning the welfare and living arrangements of two children, B and S. The dispute involved the mother and father regarding the children's schooling, parental time, and medical care.

The court was required to determine several key issues, including the appropriate schooling for B, the father's future spending time arrangements with both children, the process for managing medical-related absences from the father's time, and the need for medical examinations of the children. The court also addressed the importance of protecting the children from knowledge of the proceedings and fostering a positive relationship with their father.

Watts J's reasoning focused on the best interests of the children. The court ordered that B be enrolled at W Public School, with specific directions for the mother to facilitate this commencement. The father's time with the children was significantly restructured, with detailed provisions for weekend and telephone contact, to be unsupervised. The court also established a clear protocol for medical certificates to be provided in the event of illness preventing contact, requiring detailed information about the nature of the illness. Furthermore, the court mandated paediatrician assessments for both children, with the father to bear the costs, and ordered the mother to comply with the paediatrician's recommendations. The orders also included provisions to shield the children from the proceedings and to encourage them to refer to their father as "dad."