From the Acting Principal

Refugee Week: Compassion in action 

Refugee Week (14 June–20 June) called us to pause and reflect on the human impact of global conflict – particularly on those who have been displaced from their homes. It was a moment to learn, to listen and to respond with compassion.

Pope Leo XIV’s first address offered a powerful call for peace, a message that continues to resonate deeply within our Catholic school community. The culture we cultivate each day truly matters. Through every act of kindness, every moment of understanding and every effort to uplift one another, we help shape the world we hope to see. In these daily choices, our commitment to compassion, dignity and peace becomes visible and real. 

Our responsibility extends beyond our face-to-face interactions and includes how we behave and communicate online. Recent ThinkUKnow presentations for Junior and Senior students highlighted several important messages, outlined below. 

1. TikTok 

Students were reminded of their responsibilities when engaging on social media, including TikTok, which has a minimum age requirement of 16 under Australia's social media minimum age level. 

They were also reminded that creating or sharing false accounts, or using College logos or staff images without permission, is inappropriate, may be unlawful and can constitute bullying or defamation. These expectations form part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring students act safely, respectfully and in line with College values online. 

Further details are available in the SMC ICT guidelines and the Student ICT Policy (Tasmanian Catholic Schools Policies: ICT and Digital Use).

Other key messages: 

2. Be share A.W.A.R.E

Before posting, students were encouraged to pause and consider whether the content is:

• Appropriate
• Who it will reach
• Accurate
• Respectful

• Suitable for the online Environment

   

3. Social media fingerprint

Every post, like and comment contributes to a permanent digital record. Students were reminded that future employers, universities and peers may form impressions based on their online presence.

4. Pictures and selfies

Students were encouraged to think carefully about how they appear in photos, who they send images to, and to seek support if they feel pressured. They also learned that AI could alter images, making it even more important to protect personal photos.

5. Sharing someone else’s content

Forwarding or saving images that are not your own – especially sensitive ones – is illegal and harmful, even if you did not create them.

6. Report concerning content

Students must report anything unsafe, inappropriate or worrying, including unwanted images or suspicious accounts.

7. Help is available

College counsellors, staff and family members are always available to support students. Early conversations often prevent bigger issues.

8. Protect your information

Students were reminded to keep passwords private, avoid sharing personal details and be cautious about what they reveal online.

9. Interacting online

Not everyone online is who they claim to be. Students learned to recognise red flags, avoid engaging with strangers and block and report unsafe behaviour.

10. Carly’s Law

Senior students were reminded of Carly’s Law, which makes it a criminal offence for an adult to use the internet to prepare or plan to harm a child. Understanding this law empowers students to recognise unsafe behaviour and seek help immediately.

It would be a missed opportunity if I did not reiterate what research shows about the link between technology, learning and wellbeing. 

Constant device use can increase stress, reduce focus and interrupt deep learning. Neuroscience shows that excessive screen use fragments attention and encourages constant task‑switching, often leading to weaker learning outcomes.

Sleep is also affected. The consolidation of learning – when information moves into long‑term memory – occurs during sleep. Late‑night device use or disrupted sleep directly impacts students’ ability to retain what they learn at school.

As a College, we are committed to using technology thoughtfully and intentionally in the classroom. We continue to review our practices to ensure digital tools support learning rather than distract from it. However, this is a shared responsibility between school and home.

Families are encouraged to reflect on the balance of technology in daily life, particularly around sleep, device‑free time and opportunities for real‑world connection. The evidence is clear: how young people use technology shapes their wellbeing and their capacity to learn and thrive.

Practical ways families can support healthy technology use

• Establish device‑free time before bed to support quality sleep
• Keep devices out of bedrooms overnight
• Encourage regular screen breaks, especially during homework
• Promote face‑to‑face social interaction and family connection
• Talk openly about social media pressures and online experiences
• Model balanced technology use as adults
• Support routines that prioritise sleep, physical activity and wellbeing
• Encourage students to focus on one task at a time
• Stay engaged with your child’s learning and ask how technology is being used at school.

As we look to the final weeks of the term, may we remain grateful for God's many blessings and committed to supporting one another in faith, learning and service. Thank you for your ongoing partnership in nurturing the young people entrusted to our care.