From Carolyn Goode

Supporting Your Child to Stay Cyber Safe

As part of our learning program at school, students engage in education on being safe online.  Despite this education, we are commonly dealing with situations where students have found navigating the digital world difficult.  We encourage families to have regular conversations with your child regarding their interactions online.  

A great website to support your learning and discussions with your child(ren) is the eSafety Commissioner website.  They have a section just for parents, that you can find at this link: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents. Here you can find great information in really easy to access formats including short videos and webinars. There is advice on conversation starters so you can confidently have conversations with your children about cyber safety.  The site also provides information and links to report conduct online which is inappropriate.  There is also advice on parental controls and other ways to monitor and support your child when they are online.  I encourage you to have a look at this website and to have regular conversations with your child about being safe online.

Visits to classrooms from our Wellbeing Officers and School Psychologist

Jess, Allanah and Tess have been visiting classrooms in the last week and informing students how they can access wellbeing support at the College.  They have also run some great sessions for Year 7 boys and girls on body image and being yourself in a world that often promotes ‘perfect’ bodies.  Their program encouraged students to question the ideas which are commonly promoted through social media.  The team will continue to talk to student groups ensuring that all students are aware of where the team operates from and how they can access support.  The wellbeing room is open at lunchtimes for students to pop in and enjoy a quiet environment.  If you would like your child to access additional wellbeing support, don’t hesitate to contact your child’s TA who can do a referral to the service. 

R U OK? Day 

Our College will be recognising R U OK? day.  As part of this day students will be able to pop into the wellbeing space and collect a lollipop which will have a positive message promoting positive mental health. We will also provide some age appropriate learning for all our students which will encourage conversations to support our friends. This link provides some information on the day and how it promotes positive relationships and mental health.

Hats thank you

Thanks to all families who have assisted their children to have their hats at school from last week. It was really pleasing to see that almost all of our students had hats when we recommenced wearing them last week.  Wearing hats is a great way to protect ourselves from the UV rays which cause harm, especially in the first 10 years of life!  Our sun protection policy states that students and staff will use sun protection when the UV rating is three or above.  This has certainly been the case in the past two weeks even though we have had some cool days.

Carolyn Goode

Deputy Principal 

Wellbeing