From Alison Dietrich

As Term 4 gets underway, we want to share a few reminders and resources with our families. 

Uniform expectations 

Our uniform is part of what makes St Augustine's College a community. It helps our students feel connected and it supports a sense of belonging and equality across the school. With warmer weather arriving, please check that your child is ready for Term 4 by making sure that: 

• Students are in full, correct uniform each day 

• Students wear PE uniform only on timetabled PE days 

• Students wear their school hat when outside for the duration of Term 4 

If your child is missing an item, or your family is experiencing difficulty with uniform costs, please contact the office or your child's Teacher Advisor. We are always happy to help and have a range of second-hand uniforms available. Please review the College Uniform Guide if you are unsure of the uniform expectations. 

Mental Health Month 

October is Mental Health Month, and World Mental Health Day was on 10th October. It is a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, encourage people to seek support when they need it and check in with ourselves and those around us. 

This year's Mental Health Australia theme is Together We Thrive. Wherever we are, at home, at school, at work or online, we are encouraged to start conversations, share our stories and strengthen connections that help us thrive. 

To help, Mental Health Australia has released a Youth Calendar that can be used as a conversation starter for families. You can download a copy from Mental Health Month calendars page. 

At school, our staff work with students every day to build positive relationships, strong coping skills and a culture where it's ok to ask for help. At home, small things make a big difference: ask your child how they are really going, listen without rushing to fix and let them know they can always come to you. If you have any concerns about your child's wellbeing, please contact their Teacher Advisor so that we can support your child together. 

Supporting your child online: the eSafety Parent Guide 

Many parents and carers share concerns about their young people's online safety. These concerns can range from gaming and social media, to cyberbullying and AI-generated content. It can be tricky to raise these topics, so the eSafety Commissioner has developed an Online Safety Parent and Carer Guide that has practical ways to help your child have more positive experiences online. The guide will help you to: 

• Understand common online risks and issues 

• Learn what helps in different scenarios 

• Talk with your child about what they do online 

• Know how to respond if something goes wrong 

Access the guide here: Online safety book | eSafety Commissioner 

eSafety also offers a range of other parent resources, including age-based Family Tech Agreements, which can help your family agree on expectations around devices and screen time together. You can explore them here: Parent resources | eSafety Commissioner 

Talking openly with your child about their online world is one of the best ways to keep them safe. 

Kind regards, 

Alison Dietrich

Deputy Principal 

Wellbeing