End of Term

The end of term has almost arrived, and once again it has been a busy time at Horsham College. We have had several events, including excursions and incursions, and these reflect the commitment of staff at the College to provide a broad education that connects students with the local community, and the world in which we live.

Semester 1 Report

Students and families will soon receive the Semester 1 reports. This is good time for families to sit down with students and discuss their report, progress, successes, and opportunities for growth. Our College’s success is based upon students, staff and families working together. If you have any questions regarding any results, please contact the relevant teacher either via SEQTA or by calling the administration office on 5381 7100 and requesting a call back from the relevant teacher.

Wimmera Southern Mallee Careers Expo

On Tuesday in the last week of Term 2, students in Years 10-12 will attend the Wimmera Southern Mallee Careers Expo. It is always a fantastic day, and it is a great opportunity for students to engage with the large variety of education, training, and career providers on show. Thank you to the Wimmera Southern Mallee LLEN (Local Learning & Employment Network) for coordinating such a great event, as well as Dean Berger (Leading Teacher – VCE Careers) for organising this opportunity for our students.

Social Media and Young People: Understanding the Risks

In today’s digital age, social media plays a significant role in how young people communicate, form relationships, and learn about the world. While there are many positive aspects to social media, it’s important for parents/carers to be aware of the risks associated with its use—especially for children and teenagers still learning to navigate safe and responsible online behaviour. One of the more serious concerns emerging is the way social media platforms can be used to influence or recruit young people into anti-social, harmful, or even illegal behaviours.

Another issue of growing concern is the sharing of unfiltered and sometimes graphic video content. Platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram make it incredibly easy for young people to access and share videos that may contain violent, aggressive, or otherwise inappropriate imagery. Unlike traditional media, there is often no warning or age restriction for this type of content, which can be emotionally distressing or desensitising to young viewers. Repeated exposure to this type of material can affect how young people interpret social norms, solve conflicts, and interact with others.

It’s also important to understand that social media can create a false sense of connection and anonymity. This can lead young users to share or engage with content they wouldn’t otherwise feel comfortable with in real life. Some may feel pressure to follow trends, comment, or share in order to feel included—even when the content promotes risky or inappropriate behaviours.

As a community of Horsham schools, we are committed to educating our students about the safe and respectful use of digital platforms. We regularly engage in digital citizenship education and encourage students to speak up if they see something online that doesn’t feel right. However, we also know that education and support at home are just as important.

To help ensure the safety of our young people we encourage families to:

Monitor and discuss your child’s use of social media
Set clear boundaries around what is appropriate to share and view as well as when and where to access social media
Keep communication open so your child feels safe to talk about what they’re seeing online
Report and block content or users that promote harmful behaviours

If you are concerned about your child’s online activity or the content they are being exposed to, please reach out to the school. We can provide advice, support, and help you connect with further resources if needed. Together, we can help ensure our young people use technology in a way that supports their wellbeing, learning, and safety.

Updated School Policies

Several school policies have been updated this year, including the BYOD Equity Policy, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy, Administration of Medication Policy, Attendance Policy, Health Care Needs Policy, and Communication with School Staff Policy. These are all located on the school website under the School Life tab, and we encourage our school community to read these and provide any feedback.

Finally, I wish everyone a safe and restful holiday break. Take the time to recharge.

Year 8 News

Gareth Hose & Kate Gardner, Year 8 Coordinators

Year 8 Body Detectives