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Health & Wellbeing @ NLPS

Celebrating Harmony Week: ‘Culture Connects Us All’

This week, 16th – 22nd March, we celebrate Harmony Week, with Harmony Day on 21st March. The theme for 2026, ‘Culture connects us all’, reminds us that sharing our stories and experiences helps foster understanding, belonging, and connection within our diverse community.

 

At Newport Lakes Primary School, we feel very fortunate to be part of a school community that values and celebrates people from so many different backgrounds. Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths, and Harmony Week gives us the opportunity to recognise and appreciate the many cultures, beliefs, behaviours, and experiences that make our school such a vibrant and welcoming place.

 

During the week, students will explore the idea that culture is the way a group of people live, what they believe, and the things they value. Behaviour is how we act every day to reflect our culture, some behaviours help keep everyone safe, while others show respect for the traditions and values of others. This links beautifully with our school values of compassion, respect, and responsibility, guiding us to treat everyone with kindness, understanding, and care.

 

To celebrate, students are invited to wear ‘a touch of orange’ on Friday 20th March. This could be:

  • A ribbon in their hair

  • Orange socks

  • An orange bracelet

  • An orange ribbon pinned to their school top

Please note: the intention is to complement the school uniform with just ‘a touch of orange.’

 

Amidst challenging times, with what is happening in the world, we hope to make our corner of the world here at Newport Lakes Primary School an inclusive, welcoming, and safe place for everyone. Harmony Week is a wonderful reminder of how, together, we can celebrate diversity, show respect, and nurture a strong sense of community.

 

 

Digital Wellbeing 

Cyber Safety

 

The Cyber Safety Project offers a range of complimentary family supports under the Resources for Families tab on their website. Resources – Cyber Safety Project

Families can access:

  • Digiknow Podcasts
  • A variety of practical toolkits and downloads, including:
    • Social Media Delay Parent Toolkit
    • AI Deepfakes Parent Toolkit
    • AI Companions Parent Toolkit
    • Family Digital Use Agreement
    • My First Phone Agreement
    • Is Your Child Ready for Social Media?
  • Insights articles
  • Monthly newsletter subscription

These resources are practical, parent-friendly, and well worth exploring.

 

Chat Groups

 

At Newport Lakes, we are deeply committed to nurturing a welcoming and inclusive community where every child feels known, valued, and connected.

 

We are increasingly aware that chat groups can sometimes undermine this sense of belonging and create unnecessary anxiety for many children. Children use and interpret chat groups very differently to adults, particularly when they are unsupervised. Messages can be misread, students can feel excluded, and small issues can quickly escalate.

 

We strongly encourage parents to actively monitor their child’s chat groups and online messaging. Regularly checking in, knowing who is in the group, and having open conversations about what is being shared helps children feel supported and safe. Monitoring is not about mistrust, it is about guidance, protection, and teaching healthy digital habits.

 

We ask that parents support the school if they become aware of these chat groups and gently guide their children toward ways of connecting that strengthen, rather than compromise, the social cohesion of our community.

 

Roblox

 

Recent research has highlighted how easily children can encounter inappropriate content and interact unsupervised with adults on the gaming platform, Roblox. The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, recently stated:

“We remain highly concerned by ongoing reports regarding the exploitation of children on the Roblox service, and exposure to harmful material.”

We strongly encourage parents to actively monitor and regularly review their child’s use of Roblox.

 

You may wish to read the following article: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/09/australian-government-roblox-rating-child-safety

 

Smartphones

 

While some families choose to provide their child with a phone for communication and travel safety, it is important to note that there is no expectation children will have a smartphone.

 

Recent research published in the journal Pediatrics found that young people who owned a smartphone by around age 12 experienced higher levels of depression, poorer sleep quality, and increased rates of obesity compared with those who did not. The findings also suggest that the younger a child was when they received a smartphone, the more pronounced these negative outcomes were likely to be.

 

We share this information to support families in making thoughtful, informed decisions that best suit their child and their circumstances.

 

We understand that many parents feel pressure to provide their child with a phone, but please be assured that as a community, we can support one another by normalising delayed access and recognising that children do not need smartphones to feel connected or included at school.

 

Thank you for your continued partnership in helping us maintain a safe, respectful, and connected community.

 

Barzilay, R., Pimentel, S. D., Tran, K. T., Visoki, E., Pagliaccio, D., & Auerbach, R. P. (2026). Smartphone Ownership, Age of Smartphone Acquisition, and Health Outcomes in Early Adolescence. Pediatrics, 157(1), e2025072941. 

 

Please see this article by Dr Michael-Carr Gregg on the provision of smartphones for children.  A new study.pdf

 

Support Services for Families

At different times in life, we all may experience challenges or need extra support. As a school community, we care deeply about the wellbeing of our students and their families. Reaching out for help can feel difficult, but it’s a strong and positive step. Below is a list of confidential support services available to families for a range of needs, including family violence, mental health, parenting challenges, and specialised community support. Many are available 24/7 with trained professionals ready to listen, support, and guide you.

 

Family Violence & Violence Against Women

The Orange Door – Werribee

📞 1800 271 045 | 

📍 15–17 Watton St, Werribee VIC 3030Support for:

  • People experiencing family violence
  • Care and wellbeing of children and young people
  • People wanting to change violent behaviour

Specialist support for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, migrant/refugee communities, LGBTQIA+ people, and people with disabilities.

 

Safe Steps

📞 1800 015 188 | Web chat & email available online

  • Crisis response & safety planning
  • 24/7 phone support

 

1800RESPECT

📞 1800 737 732 | 📱 Text: 0458 737 732

  • Confidential counselling & support for family & sexual-based violence
  • 24/7 phone support

 

Sunny App – Free download

  • Support for people with disability who have experienced violence

 

GenWest

📞 1800 436 937

  • Family violence support in Melbourne’s west
  • Interpreter service via 131 450

 

Support for Men

Men’s Referral Service – 

📞 1300 766 491

 

MensLine Australia – 

📞 1300 78 99 78

  • Support for male victims of family violence
  • Support for men who use violence and want to change

 

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Support

  • 13YARN – 24/7 mental health crisis support, run by Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
  • Djirra – Legal & non-legal support for Aboriginal women experiencing family violence
  • VACCA – Support for Aboriginal women & children affected by family violence

 

Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Communities

InTouch – Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence

📞 1800 755 988 | Translators available

  • Support for migrant & refugee communities
  • Specialist services also through The Orange Door, Safe Steps, 1800RESPECT & GenWest

 

LGBTQIA+ Support

  • Rainbow Door – LGBTIQA+ helpline & family violence support
  • WithRespect – Tele-counselling & support
  • QLife – Counselling & referral for diverse sexes, genders & sexualities
  • Safe Schools – Resources & support for inclusive school environments

 

Support for People with Disabilities

  • Sunny App – 1800RESPECT
  • Specialist support also via The Orange Door, Safe Steps, 1800RESPECT & GenWest

 

Mental Health Support

  • Lifeline – 📞 13 11 14 | Online chat available | 24/7 support
  • Beyond Blue – 📞 1300 224 636 | Online chat | 24/7 support

 

Sexual Violence Support

  • West Centre Against Sexual Assault – 📞 (03) 9216 0444 | 24-hour support
  • 1800RESPECT – See above

 

Adolescence Using Violence in the Home

  • Anglicare Victoria – 📞 1800 809 722 | Breaking the Cycle Program
  • The Orange Door – See above

 

Remember: Reaching out for help is a sign of strength. If you or someone you know could benefit from these services, support is just a call or message away.