HOY Update

Last week myself and several other students had the privilege of attending the Brisbane Secondary Youth Leadership Conference ran by Youth Leadership Academy Australia. Hosted at City Hall, we were just one of over 20 schools and 1000 students who were in attendance. 

Throughout the day we learnt about leadership from a wide variety of guest speakers, each of whom related to us their personal leadership journeys. Alongside this, we had many breaks where we enjoyed networking activities with other leaders.

The most interesting part of the day was definitely a speech from Daniel Flynn, founder of the organisation Thankyou. He provided us with many insights from his journey through starting his business, and eventually opening a charity, where he now works to eliminate water poverty in various countries overseas. His story was an inspiration, and we all learned a lot about the value of hard work and the necessity of Perseverance along our leadership journeys.

Overall, it was a highly enjoyable day, filled with valuable leadership lessons which I am sure will stay with us throughout our school journey and beyond. Samuel Land

Cybersafety: What Parents and Carers Need to Know

The internet is shaping children’s social development, offering opportunities to learn, create, and connect. However, online interactions carry risks, including inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and privacy concerns. This guide provides essential tips to help you support your child’s online safety.

Be Proactive

• Know the apps and websites your child uses, and check age restrictions: The eSafety Guide.
• If your child is on social media, consider creating your own account to stay informed.
• Foster open conversations—fear of losing access to devices can prevent children from speaking up about online issues.

Online Safety Tips

• Teach your child to screenshot cyberbullying or inappropriate content.
• Set clear internet usage rules, including regular activity check-ins.
• Encourage respectful online interactions—if they wouldn’t say it in person, they shouldn’t say it online.

Privacy & Security

• Ensure privacy settings are set to 'private' or 'friends only.'
• Limit personal information shared online, including profile pictures and real names.
• Use strong, unique passwords and update them regularly.

Managing Cyberbullying

• Encourage your child not to respond to online bullies and to block/report them.
• Capture evidence and report cyberbullying through the eSafety Commissioner.
• Contact your school if bullying involves other students.

Parental Controls & Monitoring

• Enable parental controls on devices to manage access and screen time.
• Set up a communal charging station to prevent late-night device use.
• Review and adjust location-sharing settings to protect privacy.

Legal Considerations

• Cyberbullying and sharing inappropriate content may have legal consequences. Report serious concerns to the police.
• Schools may take action if online incidents affect student welfare and school management.

For more cybersafety resources, visit: qld.gov.au/cybersafety.

For the full parents and caregivers please guide see the attachment below