Wellbeing Supports Update
SchoolTV
Each week we will be sharing resources from SchoolTV in line with what is happening in our school environment.
In this edition of SchoolTV - SPECIAL REPORT - Sextortion
'Sextortion' has been an issue for over a decade, with many adults falling victim to this type of online crime. It is a form of blackmail where someone threatens to share intimate images of you unless you give in to their demands. Organised criminal gangs across Eastern Europe, Russia, and Africa connect to their victims via social media, chat apps, instant messaging platforms and online games. More recently though there has been a higher rate of adolescent males falling victim, that is not to say that young females are not also targeted.
Since the beginning of 2022, there has been a 400% increase in this type of crime being reported to police in Australia alone. However, these figures are being replicated in most western countries. Having an understanding of how your young person can fall victim to such an offender may help to protect them from engaging or conceding to their demands. It is vitally important for parents and carers to be aware of this serious issue and to start having an age-appropriate conversation as early as possible. Be aware that even with an online account set to private, random people can still message your child. Emphasise to your young person the importance of only engaging online with people they actually know, not someone they think they might know.
Most importantly, keep the lines of communication open between you and your child. Young people who fall victim to these offenders will feel distressed and blame themselves. Let them know that no matter what, they can come to you and ask for help, and that there is nothing so bad that they cannot come to you. Managing devices can be difficult especially with older teens, but it is important to weigh up the risks and the dangers. Sadly, even good kids who never make a poor decision elsewhere in their life, can and do make poor choices online. The information presented in this report is intended to alert and not alarm parents and caregivers of this potential issue.
Further information and resources relating to this topic can be accessed via the following websites:
Here is the link to this week's topic: https://mcsc.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-sextortion
The Mordialloc College Difference
Working Together for Student success
At Mordialloc College, we believe students achieve their best when families, students, and the school, work together in a supportive and consistent way. Our approach to wellbeing is built around strong relationships, shared understanding, and clear communication.
We use a collaborative model called the “Triangle of Engagement,” which places the student at the centre of a partnership between home and school. This approach helps ensure students feel supported both academically and emotionally, while also encouraging them to take increasing responsibility for their own growth and progress.
Every student’s needs are different, so support plans are tailored to the individual. Together, families, staff, and students identify clear goals and agree on practical strategies that will help the student succeed. These goals may relate to learning, attendance, emotional wellbeing, confidence, behaviour, or social connection.
An important part of this process is helping students develop a sense of ownership. Students are encouraged to reflect on their progress, communicate openly, and recognise the important role they play in achieving positive outcomes. At the same time, the school provides guidance, structure, and ongoing support, while families help reinforce routines, encouragement, and consistency at home.
What makes this approach effective is the shared commitment between everyone involved. Regular check-ins allow progress to be reviewed, successes celebrated, and strategies adjusted if needed. This ensures support remains flexible and responsive as students grow and their needs change.
Beyond immediate goals, this model also helps students build important lifelong skills such as resilience, accountability, confidence, and self-awareness. By working together in a respectful and collaborative way, students learn they are supported, capable, and not expected to navigate challenges alone.
At Mordialloc College, we value the importance of strong partnerships with families and recognise that meaningful progress happens when students feel connected, understood, and supported by the people around them.
