Assistant Principal Update
Wellbeing- Online Safety
One of the best parts of being an Assistant Principal is being able to connect with lots of different children to find out more about them and the things they are passionate about. Often, I wander the yard just talking to kids to check in, listen to them and work to strengthen their connections to school. A common question I have asked a lot of kids when I am getting to know them has been “Are you a gamer?”. For some kids, the answer is no, so I find out about other interests they have, and we explore those. For lots of kids, when I ask that question, they noticeably change and get more excited in sharing about Roblox, Minecraft or a range of other games (some of which I never even knew existed). When you listen, you can hear how invested they are in these games and sense the importance it has for them in their world outside of school. According to E-Safety Commissioner research, gaming is very common and comes with both benefits and risks for young people.
How common is gaming?
89% of Australian children aged 8 to 17 have played an online game in the last year
94% of young gamers had ‘positive feelings’ when they were gaming online
91% of parents play games with their children to connect as a family
79% have played a multiplayer online game with others
40% have played online with people they did not know offline
32% have experienced bullying or abuse while playing a network game with others
The risks and benefits of online gaming for children and young people
- Most of the young gamers surveyed reported having positive experiences. The majority of young gamers felt online gaming was good for their skill development or learning, social connections and/or emotional wellbeing.
- 4 out of 10 had negative experiences while gaming, and 3 in 10 teen gamers had been exposed to potentially harmful ideas while gaming.
- It was relatively common for negative online gaming experiences to negatively impact young gamers’ self-esteem or other aspects of their emotional wellbeing.
- Most parents and carers, as well as young gamers themselves, were proactive about taking steps to stay safe while gaming online.
- Only a small proportion of young gamers who had negative experiences had reported these to the relevant gaming platform or moderators.
Young gamers wanted more to be done to keep them safe while gaming online, especially by the gaming industry and through education.
Young gamers in the study emphatically wanted parents, carers and other adults to understand what gaming is like for them, and many would welcome the opportunity to game with their parents and carers.
A Mathematical Moment
55 Number Game
Quick and accurate counting on and counting back assists students in building confidence in their mathematical abilities and can be transferred to a range of mathematical situations. The 55 number game is a great way to practice these skills at home with only a deck of cards and timer.
Resources needed: Playing cards: 1-10 with an Ace representing the number 1 and a timer (if desired).
The challenge: Flip cards over one at a time and continue to add numbers together aloud until you do them all which should equal 55 if you have been accurate. Record family times and try to beat your own best.
Make it easier: Start with less cards. Maybe only 1-5 if needed. Please note the total will change to a new number that is not 55 depending on which cards you select.
Make it harder: Subtracting from 55 back to 0 raises the challenge. You can also add cards with Jack, Queen and King representing 11, 12 and 13. The Joker might even be involved somehow. Additional cards will also raise the total beyond 55.
Have some fun with it and challenge yourself to beat your record. It is not about how your time compares to anyone else, just about you improving against yourself. Make sure you chat to Mr Thresher about it if you try it at home as he will want to know about your improvements and help you to celebrate your successes.
Darren Thresher
Assistant Principal