Marist College Ashgrove Newsletter

Pastoral Leader - Wellbeing News

Mr Tim Walker, Pastoral Leader - Years 7-12 (Wellbeing)

Day for Daniel - Friday 24 October

This Friday, Rush House is proud to lead our school’s participation in the annual Day for Daniel, a national day of action for child safety education. Many of you will remember the tragic story of Daniel Morcombe and the incredible work his family has done through the Daniel Morcombe Foundation over the past 20 years to promote child safety awareness. To show our support, students are encouraged to wear red on Friday 24 October. On this day, we will also welcome two expert organisations to provide safety education for our students:

 

  • Madeline West – child safety advocate, mother of seven, and actor – will speak to Years 6, 8, and 10 about online safety. Madeline is a presenter with CTRL+SHFT and Safe on Social, both leaders in digital wellbeing education.
  • ThinkUKnow, a program developed by the Australian Federal Police, will present to Years 5, 7, and 9, focusing on safe and responsible online behaviour.

 

We know the digital world is evolving rapidly – and it can often feel unfamiliar or overwhelming for parents. But knowledge is power. We encourage you to explore the resources on the following websites to stay informed and support your child’s safety online:

 

 

One of the valuable resources provided by CTRL+SHFT is the Student Guide: Australian Under 16s Social Media Minimum Age Law (below). This guide is especially timely, as the new legislation will come into effect on December 10, 2025. We’ve begun sharing this information with students and felt it was equally important to keep parents informed. The guide outlines what the new law means for young people and how it will impact their access to social media platforms.

 

Student Guide Australian Under 16s Social Media Minimum Age Law.pdf

 

We hope this initiative not only raises awareness but also encourages responsible digital habits and open conversations at home. Let’s hope it has the positive impact intended!

 

To round out the day, there will be a sausage sizzle and drinks fundraiser – so please ensure student ID cards are topped up with funds. Many thanks to Scott Minogue and Rush House for bringing our attention to this very important issue. We look forward to your continued support in helping us build a safer, more informed community.