OHS/ICT/PE 

ICT News!

In today's digital age, children are exposed to a wide range of online platforms and technologies. While these tools can offer educational benefits and opportunities for social interaction, it is essential to ensure that children use them appropriately and safely.

Benefits of Technology for Children:

Educational Apps: Many apps and websites are designed to enhance learning, helping children develop essential skills like reading, math, and problem-solving.

Social Interaction: Technology can enable children to connect with friends and family, even at a distance, fostering relationships and social development.

Creativity: Digital tools can unleash children's creativity through art, storytelling, and game design.

Risks and Concerns:

Cyberbullying: Children may encounter cyberbullying or engage in it. Monitor their online interactions and educate them about responsible communication.

Privacy: Teach children about the importance of safeguarding personal information and respecting the privacy of others.

Inappropriate Content: Children might stumble upon age-inappropriate content. Use parental controls and filters to minimize this risk.

Guidelines for Parents and Guardians:

Open Communication: Maintain an open and non-judgmental dialogue with your child about their online experiences. Encourage them to share any concerns or issues.

Set Boundaries: Establish clear rules about screen time and which platforms are suitable for your child's age. Monitor their usage regularly.

Educate About Privacy: Teach your child not to share personal information online and to use strong, unique passwords.

Model Responsible Use: Children often imitate their parents' behaviour. Demonstrate responsible technology use and etiquette.

Platform-Specific Considerations:

Snapchat: This platform is generally not suitable for children under 13 due to privacy and content-sharing concerns. Ensure your child understands the implications of sharing photos and messages.

Instagram: Monitor your child's interactions on Instagram, encourage them to set their account to private, and educate them about not sharing sensitive information.

Facebook: Facebook also has a minimum age requirement of 13. If your child uses it, review their friend list and privacy settings together.

Roblox - Roblox offers users of all ages the ability to socialize and play experiences with others in the community. There are multiple opportunities to chat with others, and various experiences that offer different experiences from Adventure to Combat to Role Playing, and more. However, Roblox does offer a feature that allows parents to limit the ability to chat, and types of experiences their children can access. Parents can learn more about how to keep kids safe through the Roblox program.

Minecraft - Because of its complexity, potential for mild violence, and online community, Minecraft is recommended for kids age 8 and up. 

Technology and social media can be valuable tools for children's growth and development, but they must be used responsibly. By maintaining open communication, setting boundaries, and educating children about the potential risks, parents and guardians can help ensure that their child's digital experiences are safe and beneficial.

Remember that every child is unique, and it's essential to tailor your approach to their maturity, understanding, and individual needs. Staying involved in your child's online activities is the key to promoting responsible and healthy technology use.

Occupational Health and Safety

A BIG THANK YOU to those parents who continue to do the right thing and turn left out of our school gates at the end of the day. We understand that traffic along South Circular can also cause a small hold in traffic flow out of the school but a majority of this congestion is caused by parents who are not abiding by the rules. SO AGAIN Please take note: that there is NO RIGHT TURN from 3.15pm to 3.45pm from the school gates.  

We also kindly ask that when dropping off or picking up your child/ren from Burnleigh Drive you DO NOT perform a U TURN in the driveways directly opposite the Back Gate. Please also remember that Burnleigh Drive is a Public Road and after dropping off your children, carefully and thoughtfully merge back onto the road as safely as possible. This also affects the traffic flow of Burnleigh Drive and creates a dangerous hazard for those using Burnleigh Drive safely. 

Please continue to be vigilant and report any slippery areas or tripping hazards on the playground to me.

Physical Education / School Sports!

On Tuesday 5th September, I was able to accompany 7 of our students who progressed through to the Woodlands Division Athletics Carnival which was held at Meadowglen International Athletics Track. 

I was blown away by the persistence and dedication shown by each of these students who participated. Listed below are the students and their respective results: 

Allegra V 100m (2nd Place), Makayla D 100m (3rd Place), Luke T 1500m (3rd Place), Peter L 1500m (5th Place), Mila M Long Jump 8th Place, Nelly F Triple Jump (8th Place) and finally Olivia L Discus (3rd place). 

What a marvellous effort and I cannot express how proud I was of each of them. Thank you to the parents who drove their children down to Epping and helped support the students in their Athletic endeavours! 

I am very honoured and lucky to teach Physical Education along with Charlene to your beautiful children at SoGS. We are always receiving feedback from other schools during events such as Interschool Sport, Athletics Carnivals, Cross Country Carnivals etc. on how well behaved our students are and how fair and resilient our students are. Yesterday however, I did notice a number of students from other schools who seemed to struggle emotionally with the place they got in a race or event. Some students came back to the grandstand in tears, one student in particular from another school threw their 3rd ribbon in the bin. This affected me and I began to ponder, how can we make sure that we are guiding and supporting our students and children to be better winners or participants. It is a very difficult thing to teach but with the right support and knowledge we can create a competitive generation of people who will always strive and have the hunger to be better but can also manage the humble road when it does not go their way. 

If you have time, I have included a link to a very short article that delves into some tips on how to make your child a better winner written by Amy Morrin. I do not totally agree with the actual title of the article but within the text there are some very helpful pieces of advice. 

7 Tips on helping your child be a better winner!

If your child has achieved any sporting accolades (e.g. Taekwondo Black Belt, Soccer Championship, Netball Best and Fairest Awards etc) please email them to me on so that we can celebrate them as a community! 

Thank you and have a great holiday!