Principal's Update

Hi everyone, 

I hope the end year period is going smoothly. It’s a busy time of year. Try and enjoy the busy time because soon enough the fun of Christmas and the new year period will be done.

I’m writing today about the social media changes that will come into effect on December 10, 2025. As a principal of a primary school, I see the damage that social media can have on the kids that we work with each day. My professional reading has been dominated by this topic in recent years. I see the change in policy is a step in the right direction. I often hear people say ‘how will this be policed’ and ‘it’s not going to work’. My response to this is that at least our government is trying to do right by our kids. They’re not sitting idly by. There is no doubt about the negative impacts on our youth (and adults) from social media and smart phones. The impact on our attention, cognition, sleep and social dynamics is there for all to see. 

With this said, we all have a ‘role to play’ to ensure that the tech giants can’t keep ‘filling their pockets’ while our kids (and adults) suffer the consequences. Where you can, make sure our kids get off social media, put their phones down and go and foster the human connection that has suffered as a consequence of smartphone and social media use. We’re all in this together. Schools, community groups and parents/guardians need to work together to make this effective. Society will be better off in the long run!

As we finish up the year please remember that the last day for students is Thursday 18th December. On this day we will have our final assembly at 9am and an early finish of 1pm. Fallons buses will run all Victorian buses at this earlier time. Unfortunately New South Wales buses will not be running and students will need to be picked up from school at 1pm. 

Have a great week!

Claye Runnalls

Principal