From our Principal
Young People and Technology
From digital homework platforms to long FaceTime chats with friends, to remotely completing projects using WhatsApp groups and SnapChat, there are so many ways that technology is becoming integrated into the daily lives of our children. Despite endless positive reports from parents regarding the benefits they see in personal and professional lives from technology, it is remarkable that so many in this generation of parents are still anxiously watching the “screen time” clock and assuming all technology use is valueless game playing.
Technology is not “good” or “bad” in and of itself, it is way of talking about the many different ways of being, interacting, creating and learning with and through the multitude of devices, apps and programs available.
Most parents support the developing of 21st century skills in their children and many actively encourage their kids to learn to code or to learn skills and spend time with peers through popular games like Minecraft. But, many are stuck on thorny questions about whether what their children are doing, watching and engaging with online is safe, productive, educational or even kind. To answer this, parents need to consider the root of their fears about technology use by their children.
Our Parent Education Program – Seminar Series Term 2 has been designed to support parents to be able to upskill and tackle these fears at home with their children. We are holding a Young People and Technology evening for parents of students from Year 5 to Year 12. This seminar will provide information related to specific issues, behaviours and safety essentials around social media, online gaming, privacy, relationship, reputation management and technology use at home. Resources will be available to help parents make sense of what’s happening in the digital world where their children reside and how to navigate the challenges in a safe and ethical way.
In being able to recognize what your children might be learning and why they might be choosing to connect and create using technology you can with confidence differentiate between normal versus worrisome use of technology.
Young People and Technology 31 May 7.30pm in the Resource Centre. Coffee and Tea will be available. Please ensure to book your place by completing the details at this link https://www.trybooking.com/282727 by Friday 20 May.
Sport, Sport and more Sport!
The last couple of weeks have been one of much sport and sportsperson-ship in the school with students from primary and secondary participating in community and region events. I commend their hard work, dedication and willingness to represent their school. Go MAGS!
My congratulations go to the following students who have achieved success in the following Primary RAS Cross Country, CIS Swimming, RAS Netball and Soccer Trials.
- Emma Weiser
- Claudia Mawson
- Meg Eishold
- Poppy Palmer
- Clayton Scott
- Sunnie Habgood
- Samual Eddy
- Darcy nelson
- Josh McLean
- Andrew Martin
- Cleo Oberin
- Olivia Tranato
- Poppy Palmer
- Isabella Crossman
- Albert Cunningham
- Luke McDonald
- Jake Clancy
- Clara Edgar
- Scarlett Southern
- Asha Davies
- Nicholas Christensen
- Ky McDonald
Congratulations also to our Year 8 and 9 students who participated in the Giants Cup Tournament.
A special mention to the adults that support this participation both parents and staff. As a long serving soccer mum and occasional basketball, athletics and dance coach, I understand the overall commitment needed from families and staff to ensure that these opportunities are available to students.
We also express our appreciation to the members of the Essendon Football Club that spent time with us on Tuesday to run footy clinics and to present a session on the challenges and joys of being a leader to our Year 6 student leadership group. An exciting time for all. Go BOMBERS!
Honoris et Excellentia.
Teresa Deshon