Student Wellbeing

Poppy Tribes

On Monday, we held our final Poppy Tribes session for the year. At POPS, every student belongs to a multi-age Tribe group led by the same teacher throughout their primary years. This structure helps build strong connections, fosters a sense of belonging, and encourages meaningful relationships across year levels.

Our Year 6 students also play an important leadership role, working alongside their Tribe teacher to support younger students.

This session’s focus was Giving Back. Students watched Kindness Boomerang and reflected on the power of small acts of kindness. Each student then wrote a Christmas card, which will be delivered to a local nursing home to help spread joy within our community.

Here is a selection of cards the school has received back from some of the local nursing homes we delivered cards to last year.

New Social Media Law Introduction

From December 10 this year, Australia will lead the world in a major change to online safety. New legislation will restrict children under the age of 16 from creating or maintaining social media accounts, including popular platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). Other platforms such as Roblox and Discord have not been identified, however there has been communication which states they will involve certain verification checks.

The decision comes after years of accumulating evidence giving more and more indications that social media, while fun, engaging, and sometimes even educational they can also be deeply dangerous for children and teens. These platforms are deliberately designed to capture attention, keep users scrolling, and reward comparison. They elevate extremism and outrage. They can expose children to violent and explicit content, cyberbullying, unrealistic ideals, and a steady stream of social pressure that can erode wellbeing.

How will it work?

It shifts the onus off parents and onto tech companies, requiring them to take “reasonable steps” to stop under-16s from having accounts or being algorithmically targeted. This means parents won’t face penalties. The responsibility and the fines, which can reach nearly $50 million will fall to social media companies that fail to comply. To be compliant (and keep under 16's off the various platforms), big tech companies who are on the “banned” list will use a combination of age assurance tools, AI-based content analysis, behavioural signals, and layered safety checks. Regular identification can be used, but if people are uncomfortable with that, the platforms will supply other methodologies for age verification. The law won’t solve every problem. Kids will still find ways to connect, and not every unsafe corner of the internet will disappear. But this new baseline gives parents a powerful ally — and a clear message that childhood deserves protection.

What Can Parents Do?

1. Start the conversation. Talk with your child about what’s changing, why it matters, and how it’s designed to protect them — not punish them. Keep it calm, curious, and compassionate.
2. Highlight the risks. Explain how social media can fuel anxiety, comparison, or exposure to harmful content, and why limits help everyone breathe easier.
3. Review and guide. Look at what your child is currently using. Help them save special memories, photos, or messages before their accounts change — and brainstorm other ways to connect with friends offline.
4. Stay informed. Visit esafety.gov.au for up-to-date resources, checklists, and webinars explaining how the legislation will work.
5. Watch for changes. Expect some frustration or FOMO (fear of missing out) when these changes arrive. Listen first. Reassure them that they’re not alone — no one under 16 will be able to use these platforms.
6. Know the exceptions. Messaging apps and most online games are currently exempt, so your child might migrate to those spaces. Keep guiding conversations about what’s safe and what’s not.

Understand the scope. The rules apply only to platforms with “social media” features — spaces designed for sharing and following others. New apps will continue to appear, so stay curious and connected.