Principal's Report

Dear St John's Community,

Please take the time to consider the following information.

In 2004, the concept of FOMO - Fear of missing out began to gain popularity in certain cultures and in 2017 was officially recognised by a large number of psychological organisations. Since Covid, this seems to have burgeoned dramatically, even affecting children as young as 5. While psychologists recognise that this is a natural part of adolescence; online activities, social media and the Covid lockdowns seem to have exacerbated its impact. 

FOMO causes children to become increasingly jealous of what others have and are more likely to try and take it for themselves or demand it for themselves. The online side of this is what is referred to as 'screen sucking'; where children become hyer focused on what they are doing on a screen they cannot shift their attention to anything else. Sadly, a number of recent research papers into the condition reveals that these children FOMO can lead to an increase in symptoms very similar to ADHD, depression, anxiety, unhappiness and even aggression.

All the sorts of things we want to help our children avoid.

This occurs because when students are suffering with FOMO they tune out of the real world and their own sense of self, they are less worried about the happiness or feelings of others and more worried about getting what they want, sometimes, at any cost and no matter who gets hurt in the process.

So...how do we help our kids, or even adults around us who seem to exhibit these thought processes?

1. Ask questions around the object of their desire to try and encourage them to think about it objectively and honestly. Once you know what the emotions involved are you can better help them deal with them.
   1. Why do you feel like you are missing out?
   2. Do you even like what they are doing or what they have?
2. Get them offline
   1. Children will consume social media or online environments the same way we consumed TV and radio growing up but with far greater impact. 
   2. Reducing screen time helps distract them from the feelings of being left out. Have you been asked to allow a child (under 13) to have TikTok or Instagram because 'all their friends have it'? 
   3. Kids need to learn not everything on social media is real or are not what they appear to be. Organisations like Victoria Police are struggling with reputational issues at present due to youth gangs only posting on social media the final outcomes of encounters with police. People are not privy to the multiple attempts used prior to that footage to resolve the situation peacefully. The final moments are plastered over social media, again... again... and again. Children's minds are young and extremely impressionable.
3. Adults struggle with FOMO too. Explain to your child how you overcome those feelings.
4. Don't give them everything they want. Children need to learn to self-regulate past disappointments. It's an essential life skill. 

Why am I talking about this today? Because we are seeing these sorts of behaviours in a lot of students at school at the moment. There is a lot of angst over what online games others are playing, what social media platforms they have access to, who is and who isn't on them, who's 'in' and who's 'out'.

Parents need to be aware that a lot of this angst is building from children using online platforms at home. So much so that in the last two weeks we have discovered a number of students trying to circumvent the digital protections we have on the school devices so they can access content and programs their 'friends' have.

We all need to work together to support our kids with education about safely working in these spaces and having a healthy attitude to social media as well as an understanding of our own digital safety in an increasingly digital world.

2 weeks to go! 

Trybooking Link

A Prayer for our Reconciliation & Communion Candidates

Please remember our Reconciliation and First Communion candidates in their time of preparation.

Dear God, 

bless the children of St John's who are coming forward to receive Reconciliation and their Holy Communion for the first time. 

May this time of preparation be the step towards a life-long love of the Eucharist. Give them a hunger for your sacred food and the confidence to turn to you for comfort, guidance, and wisdom as they grow into full discipleship.

Amen

Positive online behaviour tips for parents to discuss with their children

Learning how social media works, and engaging with it positively, is a great way to show your child what is and isn't okay to do online. Here are examples of positive online behaviour that you can model for your child.

1. Keep your own privacy settings up-to-date and show your children how to stay on top of theirs
2. Think before you post. Ask yourself if your comment is constructive before you post.
3. Don’t hide behind your profile picture. Social media is not anonymous. Your online reputation will stay with you for a long time. 
4. Create rules for yourself about who you connect with on social media, 
5. Find topics your family are interested in and talk about it.  Show your children how to connect with others safely and respectfully on issues that they care about.
6. Demonstrate respectful conversations online. Show your child that some people may have different opinions to you.

Pilates!

Pilates for parents is back this year. Monday's at 9.15am in the school hall. Everyone is welcome, toddlers too! Come in for some social exercise with our qualified instructor and parent, Francesca.

Crossing Supervisor of the Year Awards

Nominations for the 2023/2024 School Crossing Supervisor of the year award are now open!

 The purpose of the School Crossing Supervisor Award is to acknowledge the contribution and dedication School Crossing Supervisors provide by maintaining and providing a safe and enjoyable journey to and from your individual school and all schools throughout Victoria.

The recipient of the award should model enthusiasm and successful outcomes in a friendly and professional manner.  The award is open to all Crossing Supervisors. 

To nominate your School Crossing Supervisor, please click on the link:        

School Crossing Supervisor Of The Year Awards | School Crossings Victoria

Have a wonderful weekend.

Kind regards,

Derek Bruitzman

Principal

Something funny!

Q: What do you call a beach that keeps losing sand?

A: A shore loser

Q: Why did the beach blush?

A: Because it saw the ocean's bottom

Q: What do you call a dog that loves the beach?

A: A sand wagger

Mr B's Fun Facts & Trivia

1. Only 5 countries are bigger than Australia; Russia, Canada, China, USA, Brazil
2. 90% of all Australians live within 100km of the coast
3. Australia's indigenous name was Sahul
4. The word 'Obedience' comes from the Latin 'obaudire' which actually means 'to listen'