Christmas and New Year

Who feels like, ‘nearly the end of the year – no way!’ How do you feel about the [almost] past year? For many people it has been full of challenges, perhaps financial, health issues, relationship conflicts or mental health stress. Christmas is filled with promises of fun and celebration, peace and harmony, but the reality is that it is not always that way. It can raise our stress levels, as we try to navigate difficult relationships or arrangements.

The first Christmas brought to the world a message of peace to all. We know that the world is flawed, and many factors destroy that peace. That can include the pressure of materialism that is thrust onto society, to get bigger and better ‘stuff’, or create bigger and better celebrations. However, we can return to the simple message of that first Christmas – peace – for our families, as we quieten our minds in the midst of it all, and give thanks for who and what we have in our lives.

I trust that you enjoy time with your loved ones during Christmas, whatever your celebration looks like, and that the holiday break is refreshing and fun, whether it is busy with activities, or lots of chill out times together.

Take care over the holidays, and we’ll connect again next year. For those who are moving on, all the best for the next step in your life.

Friday Lunch-time games have been fun this year. Sometimes we might only have 5 attending, but other times 15 in the senior foyer. Recently, Isabella and I managed to complete this challenging Tetra Tower. It doesn’t happen very often.

Community wellbeing:

Toast Tuesday: Our breakfast program will resume next year on Tuesday 10 February.

Baker Delight goods: We are very thankful to Bakers Delight Heathmont, for their generous provision of loaves and extra bakery items for our school families. If your family would appreciate regular bread or rolls, please email me below, or see me at school.

Second-hand uniforms: If you need any uniforms, we will have them available at Toast Tuesday plus at assembly next week. Gold coins are all you need.

Social media change: From 10 December 2025, age-restricted social media platforms will have to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from creating or keeping an account. The restrictions aim to protect young Australians from pressures and risks that users can be exposed to while logged in to social media accounts. As of 21 November 2025, it is eSafety's view that Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X, YouTube, Kick and Reddit are age-restricted platforms.

As the holidays draw closer, this will have an impact on many young people under 16. ‘What will I do without social media?’ Let’s help them refocus.

To cope with the social media ban, help them focus on transferring their online connections to alternative platforms like messaging apps, and to explore new ways to engage with their interests through hobbies, sports, or clubs. This is an opportunity for young people to communicate openly with friends and family about how they feel, and to encourage more face-to-face interaction, and fun activities with ‘real’ friends that they can trust.

I have seen incredible changes in my lifetime. I now have a t/shirt – ‘I am older than the internet’. Life was definitely simpler when I was growing up, and it was fun. These days are much more complicated, and we need to remind our children that it is people-connections that last, whatever happens in ‘the cloud’, that amazing place that holds all our information. I love clouds … and especially looking at them with our grandchildren, seeing what shapes we can see. Let’s not forget the joys of simple activities together.

School holiday programs: Would your children appreciate one of the ‘Choose your own adventure’ activities during the holidays. They only cost $5 for each activity. Please refer to the following flyer, with QR codes for each of the activities.

Contact: Feel free to contact me at any time. I can meet with students once, and for further contact we ask parents/guardians to sign a Consent Form for an ongoing connection.

Alan Silverwood: Chaplain - Pastoral care for our community. [Tuesday & Friday]

[alan.silverwood@education.vic.gov.au]

Supporting the School community in emotional, social, spiritual and practical wellbeing.

Our Chaplaincy program is funded by the Federal Government’s ‘National Student Wellbeing Program’, the GRPS School Council and donations.

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