STEAM News
Digital Wellbeing
This term, our students have continued their digital wellbeing journey through the Inform & Empower program, complementing the ongoing teaching in STEAM lessons and classroom discussions. Each year level explored age-appropriate topics that are designed to build critical thinking and responsible online behaviours, from recognising online advertisements and showing kindness in digital spaces (Years 1–2), to protecting personal information and identifying online scams (Years 3–4), and evaluating online content for misinformation, scams, and AI-generated material (Years 5–6).
Our Year 5 and 6 students have also had a targeted focus on the upcoming social media delay coming into effect on 10 December. During these sessions, we explored:
- How the delay is making them feel
- How they plan to respond to these new restrictions
- What healthy habits they can build to stay connected with friends safe
- How to seek help if something online doesn’t feel right
- Why trying to “get around” restrictions — such as using a different device or falsifying age details — can create extra risks and isn’t aligned with safe digital practice
We also spoke openly about the pressures young people may feel to bypass rules, and how choosing honesty, safety and responsibility helps them build trust at home and school.
We encourage families to keep the conversation going at home. You can find helpful parent resources and free webinars on our website: www.stcolumbasprimary.org/parent-esafety-resources.
Let’s continue working together to support safe, confident and informed digital citizens.
Maths News
International Mathematics Achievements
Our young mathematicians have had a brilliant year, embracing challenge and showing real joy in stretching their thinking.
This year, 15 students were invited to take part in the International Maths Challenge. They committed to Monday lunchtime preparation sessions, working through problem-solving tasks and building confidence ahead of the competition. We are incredibly proud of the effort and dedication shown by the whole group.
Several students achieved outstanding individual results: • Neve, Ashleigh B and Yatin earned Elitist (High Performer) status, placing in the 80th–95th percentile internationally. • Adam and Abhay achieved Champion status, scoring above the 95th percentile.
We also acknowledge the wonderful achievements of Atlas and Spartak Markov in the International Mathematics Competition for Russian-speaking students, “Australian Oreshek-9.” Both boys ranked in the top 20%, a fantastic accomplishment.
These competitions offered a great opportunity for our students to challenge themselves, experience authentic problem-solving and demonstrate their mathematical thinking on an international stage.
We can’t wait to build on this momentum in 2026.
