Secondary News

Dear Parents and Caregivers, 

Term 3 has kicked off with a busy and eventful first week. We're pleased to have students back ready to learn and grow. 

CYBERBULLYING  

Year 7 to 9 students were presented with a session from Digital Thumbprint on the topic ‘Cyberbullying’. This powerful session helped students work through a practical example, and to see how easily using online chats can become unthoughtful, inappropriate, and even bullying through repeated and targeted behaviour. 

Students were encouraged to be an ‘upstander’ not a ‘bystander’ when it came to caring for each other, whether online or in the playground. 

Students were also informed about ‘image based abuse’ which includes photographing or filming other people without consent, sharing this content to others without consent (“if you’re not sure if you’ve got consent – you don’t”), creating ‘fake’ images, and possessing child pornography. 

Importantly, the presenter reinforced the need to seek assistance if they are the recipient of any bullying or illegal material by going to trusted adults, letting the ‘app’ know, and potentially informing police. 

For parents and caregivers, the session highlighted the importance of active oversight of your children in managing their devices, including appropriate restrictions and controls to keep them safe.  

Further information and assistance can be obtained from: 

The eSafety Comissioner - Online safety | eSafety Commissioner 

Digital Thumbprint - Digital Thumbprint – DT  

Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 (ages 5-25) 

13Yarn – 13 92 76 (ATSI support) 

UNIFORM 

Years 7–10: Sport – Mon & Fri | Normal – Tues–Thurs  

Years 11–12: Sport – Mon | Normal – Tues–Fri 

Students should wear school uniform overlayers to keep warm, not non-school jumpers or hoodies. Underlayers should not be visible and need to be flesh-toned. Long sleeved underlayers may not be worn with short-sleeved shirts. Black leather shoes are for normal uniform, and sports shoes should not be bright coloured. 

The sports uniform may be winter or summer. For in-school training, students may bring the maroon shirt and sports shoes to use during the training session. Students playing after-school sports should change into their sports uniform at the end of the school day. 

CANVAS OBSERVER 

The College uses Canvas as the Learning Management System for students to access resources related to lessons and topics for each subject. Parents and caregivers can become observers to help you be aware of homework and tasks, and to check how your child is progressing. Details on how to become observers are on the College website: TechHub-ParentCanvasSetup.pdf 

STUDENT LEADERSHIP 

Our Year 10 and Year 11 students have been invited to apply for Student Leadership positions for 2026. Application forms are due Wednesday 6th August at the College office. 

Selected students will then proceed to an interview, give a brief speech to students, and an endorsement process. Once Student Leader positions are confirmed, students will participate in some training and then apply for specific leadership positions, such as College Captains, Vice-Captains, Grade Representatives, House Captains or specific groups. 

TASMANIA CAMP 

Our Year 9 students take off on Thursday 14th August for the Tasmania Camp, returning on Thursday 21st August. Friday 22nd August will be a rest day for Year 9. This will be a valuable time for growing together and exploring a geographically and historically rich part of Australia. Please keep these students and teachers in your prayers. 

HSC TRIALS 

Our Year 12 students begin their HSC Trial Exams on Wednesday 13th August, concluding on Friday 22nd August. These exams are an important opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of content and their ability to apply this in HSC Exam conditions. Continue praying for persistence and patience for these young people as they approach the end of their secondary education. 

If you have questions or concerns about how your child is doing in a particular class, please contact the class teacher first. For wellbeing matters, please reach out to your child’s homecare teacher or Stage Coordinator. I’m also happy to hear from you directly via the College office or by email. 

Geoffrey Xeros 

Head of Secondary School