From the Head of Senior School

As we approach the close of another successful school year, we extend our sincere appreciation to all students and families for your unwavering support, commitment, and contributions to our vibrant school community. This year has been rich with learning, growth, and countless memorable moments that reflect the strength and spirit of our school. 

We also take this opportunity to wish our Duke of Edinburgh participants the very best as they embark on their upcoming Adventure Journey to Murramarang National Park next week. This is a significant step towards the achievement of the Gold Award. 

Please find below important updates regarding the new social media age restrictions and key arrangements for the final week of term. 

Social Media Age Restrictions

The Australian Government, through the eSafety Commissioner, has introduced new rules to create safer online spaces for young people. From 10 December 2025, social media platforms must prevent Australians under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts under the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024. 

What’s Changing 

• Social Media Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X (Twitter), and logged-in YouTube will restrict accounts for under-16s. 
• Viewing public content without an account remains possible, but posting or commenting may not be allowed. 
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What’s Excluded 

Apps and services not primarily designed for social networking—such as messaging, gaming, educational or health apps—may be excluded under current legislation. 

How Parents Can Help 

• Talk About It – Explain why these changes are being introduced. 
• Use Controls – Enable device restrictions (Screen Time, Family Link). 
• Add Parental Apps – Qustodio, Net Nanny, Google Family Link. 
• Encourage Balance – No devices in bedrooms, set downtime, model healthy habits. 

The attached memo provides additional information, including school-based supports. 

Year 10 last week activities 

As we approach the final week of term, our Year 10 students will participate in a dynamic program designed to prepare them for the exciting challenges of senior school. This program combines peer support leadership training with a series of activities aimed at building confidence, teamwork, and readiness for the academic and personal responsibilities that come with entering Years 11 and 12. 

The leadership training component will equip students with essential skills to mentor and support younger peers, fostering a culture of collaboration and care within our school community. Alongside this, students will engage in practical sessions focused on study strategies, goal setting, and time management—key tools for success in their senior years. 

We encourage all Year 10 students to regularly check the Hub for updates and detailed schedules to ensure they are fully prepared for each activity. 

A special thank you goes to Ms Reynolds and Mr Smedley for their outstanding coordination and commitment to making this program a valuable experience for our students. 

Speech Day Information for Parents and Students

Thursday 4 December 2025 

Students 

Speech Day is a compulsory school event.  

Students are required to be in immaculate full school uniform including blazer.  

Students are to arrive at school at 8:45am and will meet in House areas for roll marking and further information. Students need to clear their bags from their lockers.  

All students will move to the DPA with Head Mentors at 9:35am. Prize winners and musicians will have allocated seating.  

At the conclusion of the ceremony students will be dismissed back to House areas to collect belongings before being dismissed at 12:30pm.  

Parents 

All parents and close family are invited to attend our final whole-school formal occasion in 2025. For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony will be available live on Zoom HERE. 

The ceremony starts at 10:00am sharp. Please be punctual.  Guest seating will be available upstairs in the mezzanine. Limited seating will be available on the main floor for any guests who are unable to access the mezzanine.  

There is no parking on the Wolaroi site until the ceremony is over and guests have departed, approximately 12:30pm.  Normal drop-off zones will be in operation before 8:45am. Parking/traffic attendants will be in place to ensure that only those with reserved places use on-site parking areas.  

The Orange Function Centre will have parking spaces available, and the school will run a shuttle bus to and from the Wolaroi site.  The shuttle buses will run at the following times: 9:15am-10:00am and 12:00pm-1:00pm.  

Normal town and school buses will run as per their usual schedule. Any Senior School students who need to remain on site to wait for buses will be supervised in the library until 3:25pm.  Access to the Wolaroi site will be restricted from 9:00am-12:30pm. Parents/carers are requested not to arrive before 12:30pm to pick up students.  

Boarding Students 

Boarding Houses on both sites will be open for you to collect your child and their belongings at the conclusion of the Speech Day ceremony.  Please note that the Boarding Houses will close at 2:00pm.  All boarders and belongings must be collected by this time.