From the 

Leader of Year 7 Wellbeing

Mindfulness at Home

This week in Pastoral Care, we explored mindfulness by creating our own ‘mindful activities’ for others to participate in, which require them to be present and focus on one thing at a time.

Mindfulness is about focusing our attention on the present moment and what we are thinking about. Our minds can get so full and busy with thoughts running around and this can make it hard to focus. Looking after our mind can have great positive benefits both physically and mentally, such as a reduction in anxiety and stress. This leads to increased levels of energy, happiness, and self-esteem.

Social Media Ban

In a significant move to promote online safety and well-being, the Australian government has announced that students under the age of 16 will be prohibited from using popular social media platforms. This new law will come into play in approximately 12 months from now. This new policy is aimed at reducing online risks like cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and privacy concerns, while encouraging young people to focus on healthy offline activities.

For our current Year 7 students, this change will take effect when they are at the end of Year 8 next year. We encourage our students to start thinking about how they can prepare for this change. Whether it’s exploring new ways to stay connected with friends or engaging more in face-to-face activities, now is a great time to build new habits and interests beyond social media. Parents can also play a key role in supporting this transition. We recommend having open conversations about the benefits of a social media-free environment and encouraging your child to explore other forms of connection and entertainment. Setting boundaries now and limiting screen time is a great way to help your children prepare for this change.