As social media seems to have become an integral part of our teens' daily lives, staying informed and involved in their online experiences has never been more crucial. Whilst social media may offer opportunities for connection, creativity, and learning, it also presents unique challenges that can impact our teens' well-being, particularly given the ongoing development of their young minds.

We know that the Australian Government is actively working to protect young people under 16 by exploring legislation designed to make social media a safer space by restricting its use. These measures are a response to the reality that many young teens are not equipped to handle the complexities and pressures of social interactions online. The teen years are a time of intense mental, emotional, and social growth, and while some teens may seem mature, their developing brains are still learning to process complex emotions, navigate conflicts, and build resilience. Social media can place added pressures on these growing minds, and when issues arise, such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, or the urge to fit in, teens may struggle to manage the stress and emotions involved. Being able to take photos and post on line, often without thought or consent, is a major issue with teens. Despite your guidance around this as a family and countless presentations at mentor groups and assemblies at school, young people make mistakes and sometimes act before thinking.

The rise in cyberbullying is one significant challenge, and the effects can be deeply distressing and difficult for teens to process. Unlike face-to-face interactions, online messages and comments can feel more detached, making it easier for unkind or hurtful messages to be shared. That’s why it’s essential to reinforce the importance of kindness and empathy in online spaces. Even though communication is happening through screens, there is still a real person with feelings on the other end. By encouraging open conversations about the impact of unkind behaviour, we can help build empathy and make social media a more positive space.

Having conversations about the importance of privacy can go a long way in protecting our young people. Discussing their privacy settings, and explaining why it’s best to keep certain information private, can help them make safer choices. Parents sometimes feel conflicted as to whether or not have access to their teens’ social media, balancing the desire to respect their child’s privacy with the need to keep them safe. It’s natural to want to give teens room to explore, build independence, and connect with others. However, social media introduces risks that young people may not be prepared to handle on their own, from cyberbullying to harmful content or peer pressure. Having access to their social media interactions is not about invading privacy but rather about providing guidance and ensuring they make safe choices. By staying informed, parents can offer support if challenging situations arise and model how to manage social interactions thoughtfully and responsibly. In addition to these concerns, many teens face pressure to measure up to unrealistic social media standards, which can impact their self-esteem and well-being. Social media often presents a filtered version of life, which can create stress for young users who compare themselves to these polished images. Talking openly with them about this can help them understand that what they see online may not always reflect real life and that they don’t need to strive for perfection.

There are constantly new apps and AI drawing our kids into what seems innocent but may lead to taking them into unsafe or unrealistic territory. Our goal is to support our teens in making thoughtful, safe choices when it comes to social media. Knowing they have our understanding and support can give them confidence to speak up if they encounter something unsettling. Together, with the government efforts, we can create an environment where our teens can safely explore the digital world with resilience and empathy.

For strategies to support our teens as they navigate the many challenges of social media, please visit the Wellbeing section of this newsletter.

Last week, our College was made an Ambassador School for the delivery of the Click Against Hate program. Our students in year 7 to 9 have been undertaking units of this program in their Mentor/Stepup classes. Click Against Hate is an interactive program that teaches students empathy and understanding about complex issues such as online dangers, racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, freedom of speech, cyber bullying and more.

Melbourne University’s Dr Dvir Abramovich who is the Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission and a founding member of Click Against Hate met with myself and several of our Campus Captains and Student Leaders to present this award. We look forward to continuing this important work further in 2025.

Over the next few weeks, we will be holding exam preparation classes during Mentor and Stepup, tailored to help students develop skills for effective exam performance. These sessions are designed to provide year-level-appropriate strategies that help students become more familiar with the exam process. While achieving positive outcomes is a goal, our primary focus is to help students gain confidence through practicing the process, making them even more comfortable for when they reach the VCE.

Understanding the exam process—managing time, handling questions, and developing a strategy—plays a crucial role in preparing students for VCE years. Students exam timetables will soon be posted on Compass for you to see and will appear on the students Compass Page. Examination week runs from November 11th to 15th for year 7 to 9 and students will also be PAT tested over this period to gather further data to help us maximise student learning needs and growth.

Please familiarise yourself with the timetable for exam week. When not in exams or PAT testing, years 7 &8 students will continue with their normal timetabled classes.

Year 9 students will only attend their exams and PAT testing during exam week.

The following week November 18th is Feedback week, where students will receive feedback from exams and an opportunity to work on Areas for Improvement identified during the exam process.

At the end of Feedback Week on Thursday November 21st, current year 9 students will attend period 1&2, followed by a Farewell Assembly in the Hall. They will be dismissed by end of lunch. The next day Friday November 22nd, they will attend an Induction Morning at Holloway Road as the year 10 students for 2025. This will be followed by a BBQ lunch and students be dismissed at end of lunch.

Current year 8 students will attend normal classes during Feedback Week until Friday November 22nd where they attend period 1&2, followed by their Farewell Assembly during period 3&4. During lunchtime, they will move to Holloway Road Campus where they will also attend the BBQ lunch but this will then be followed by an Induction during period 5&6.

All year 7 students will attend their exam and PAT testing and attend all other classes for the week.

All students 8 to 12 2025 commence Headstart on Monday November 25th for 2 weeks.

In Summary:

November 11 - 15 Exam Week

November 18 - 22 Feedback Week

Thursday November 21st - Farewell Assembly Year 9 into 10 2025

Friday November 22 - year 9 into 10 Induction morning at Holloway Rd

Friday November 22 - year 8 into 9 2025 Farewell Assembly and Induction afternoon

Monday November 25 to Friday December 6 - Headstart

For information regarding the remaining weeks of the year, please see the College Dates published in this Newsletter and check your Compass calendar.

Students will also be given the opportunity to apply for Leadership and Mentor opportunities for 2025 this term for students at all levels. Please check Compass Posts from our Leading Teacher for Student Voice and Agency Tim Clifton in the coming weeks for further information.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Year Level Leader or Head of Sub School, should you have any questions about the exam timetable.

Vivienne McElwee

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