Year 9 & 10

Year 9: Social media safety talk

I want to share some key points from a recent talk our Year 9 students had withguest speaker Paul Litherland, who focused on the real-world dangers of social media and how to stay safe online. The session was really insightful and brought up some important issues that we all need to be aware of.

He talked about how platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram are super popular with teens but can also be risky, especially when parental controls are removed. Without these safety nets, students can end up seeing things that are not appropriate or safe.

One of the big concerns discussed was how easily people can fake their online profiles. It is surprisingly simple for anyone to pretend to be a teenager, making it hard for our students to know who they are actually talking to. Some apps can even share their exact location, which is pretty worrying when you think about it.

Another point that came up was how many students accept friend requests from people they don’t know. This can put them at risk of being exploited or harmed. Plus, when communication happens online, especially through anonymous messages, it is easy for things to get nasty. Without hearing a voice or seeing a face, people often say things they would not dare to say in person.

We always remind our students to be aware of and look out for each other when they are online. It is important that they treat everyone with respect on all social media platforms. If they come across something that worries them, we encourage them to reach out—whether to friends, family, school staff or even the police (https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/cyberbullying) if necessary.

Finally, as we near the end of the term, let’s all give that final push to finish strong. Please encourage your child to put in their best effort in these last few weeks. We are almost there!

Year 10: Reflections

I want to take a moment to encourage our Year 10 students to reflect on their journey over the past few months. It has been a term filled with learning, growth and some challenges along the way.

This is a great time for students to look back on the term and all the experiences they have had. Reflecting on the challenges they have faced and how they have overcome them is an important part of their development. Every hurdle is a chance to learn and grow stronger.

I would also like to remind Year 10s of the importance of maintaining their pride and integrity in all they do. Whether it is in their studies, friendships, wearing of the school uniform or personal decisions, staying true to yourself is key to becoming the person you aspire to be.

This is also the perfect opportunity to revisit their goals for the future. Whether those goals are academic, sporting or personal, taking stock now can help students refocus and push forward with purpose.

Let’s end the term with a flourish. There is still plenty to achieve, so let’s finish strong!

Mr Brad Cotterell

Head of Year 8 & 9