Deputy Principal's Report

Short Film Festival

It was a privilege to attend the premiere of 'The Janitor's Revenge,' at the created by the incredibly talented team of James, Aarit, Henry, Nick, and Anton at the Astor Theatre last night. While Aarit and Nick couldn't make it on the night, James, Henry and Anton represented like true celebrities. The red carpet was rolled out, and we caught a glimpse of the stars from afar, amid the crowd of fans. The competition this year was divided into three age group categories, with a group of Year 8 Mentone Grammar girls taking the win. The biggest victory, however, was seeing the film on the big screen, and we couldn't be prouder.

Well done boys and we look forward to seeing more films to come.

How much is too much?

In today's digital world, it's no surprise that screens are a big part of our kids' lives. However, it's essential to strike a balance. We know many of you are concerned about the amount of time your children spend on screens, and we're here to help with some practical advice (modified from AIFS.com.au).

Screen Time Guidelines: The Australian 24-hour movement guidelines offer a roadmap for healthy screen use.

For children under two, no screen time is recommended.
For 2–5 year-olds, it's one hour per day
For 5–17 year-olds, it's a maximum of two hours of recreational screen time per day (excluding schoolwork).

The Reality: Many Aussie kids exceed these guidelines. Studies show only a small percentage meet the recommended screen time limits. This is a concern as excessive screen time, especially during the COVID-19 lockdowns, has been linked to various health and developmental issues.

Effects of Excessive Screen Time: For younger kids, too much screen time can impact weight, motor skills, and social skills and emotional wellbeing. For older kids, it's associated with issues like weight gain, behavioral problems, and even anxiety.

What Can Parents Do?

Lead by Example: Limit your own screen time. Kids tend to follow your lead.
Co-Participate: Engage in screen time with your child. It can be a shared, positive experience.
Set Rules: Establish clear rules about screen use, including time limits and content guidelines.
Balance Activities: Encourage a mix of activities, including physical play and outdoor fun.
Self-Regulation: Teach kids to recognise when it's time to take a break from screens and engage in other activities.

Connection

It is getting to that crazy time of year again. Life is busy, kids are tired and we are all trying to wrap things up before the end of the year about to start something new. Guess what! You don't have to go through this alone! Did you know that being connected to family, friends, and community can make you happier and help everyone cope with the harder things a lot easier?

Having a group of people who always have your back, whether it's your family cheering you on, friends having fun with you, or your community feeling like a big, awesome team. When you're connected like that, it's like having your own happiness cheer squad!

Being part of a group makes us feel like we belong. It's like being part of a cool club where everyone cares about each other. When kids feel like they belong, their confidence grows, and they start to feel really good about themselves.

We all have days when we feel a bit tired or down. It happens to everyone. But here's the secret: when our kids are feeling low, reaching out to family or friends can help fill their heart with joy again. It's like magic—talking to someone, sharing laughs, or getting a big, warm hug can make everything feel better.

Remember, just like our kids, you need your friends and family and time to connect too! We all have the power to make someone else's day brighter with a kind word or a friendly gesture. It's like spreading happiness dust wherever you go.

Imagine if our whole school community focused on this over the next few weeks!

Thanks again for all your support,

Peggy McDonald & Steele Anderson

Deputy Principals