Sub School Structure @ PSC

For any Well-being or other concerns, please speak with your child(ren)'s Team Leader in the first instance.

Talking to your child about the Social Media age restrictions

VISIT THE NEW SOCIAL MEDIA AGE RESTRICTIONS HUB:

As we approach the 10th December, when the new Social Media Minimum Age law comes into effect, it’s important for families to start preparing for the changes.

If you have children under 16 who currently use age-restricted social media platforms, they will be directly impacted by the new law.

To support your children through this transition, it’s helpful to:

Talk openly about the new age restrictions and why they’re being introduced.
Understand how your child currently uses social media and explore how these changes might affect them.
Reassure them that these changes are about safety and wellbeing, not punishment.

To help guide these conversations, eSafety has developed practical tips for parents and carers to start these conversations to support you in starting and managing discussions in a calm and constructive way.

eSafety has developed information and resources to support young people, as well as parents and carers, to understand the social media age restrictions.

Helping families stay safer online

Do you want to feel more confident in supporting your children to have safer online experiences? eSafety's live webinars give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to help understand and navigate the online world.

Social media age restrictions explained – a guide for parents and carers

From 10 December 2025, certain social media platforms won’t be allowed to let Australian children under 16 create or keep an account. Join our 30-minute information session to understand the changes. Learn more about this webinar.

Please click the dropdown box on the registration form to pick your preferred date.

2 December 2025, 7:00pm (AEDT)
8 December 2025, 3:30pm (AEDT)
15 December 2025, 1:00pm (AEDT)
10 February 2026, 12:30pm (AEDT)
24 February 2026, 12:30pm (AEDT)

Recognising online coercive control in young people's lives

It’s not always easy to spot when a relationship becomes controlling, especially for young people. This 45-minute webinar will explore how tech-based coercive control impacts young people, the red flags to watch for and practical ways to support those experiencing it. Learn more about this webinar.

1 December 2025, 12:30pm

Algorithms and adolescents: The rewards and risks of recommender systems for young people

Algorithms and AI are influencing how young people experience the online world. This 45-minute webinar explores both the benefits and risks of recommender algorithms, including how they affect the content young people see and what you can do to protect your child from the potential harms. It's suitable for parents and carers of young people in upper primary and secondary school. Learn more about this webinar.

Term 4 (AEDT)

9 December 2025, 12:30pm

Supporting healthy tech use as your child transitions into secondary school

This 45-minute webinar explores the social pressures, peer influences, and technological challenges young people face as they transition into secondary school. It also offers practical strategies for navigating online friendships and connections to help minimise negative experiences. It's suitable for parents and carers of children in upper primary school (ages 11 to 12) and Year 7. Learn more about this webinar.

Term 1 (AEDT)

11 February 2026, 12:30pm

Understanding and using parental controls to help protect your child online

Parental controls can be a useful addition to the strategies you use to help protect your child online. This 45-minute webinar covers the types of controls available, and how to use them alongside other online safety measures. It’s suitable for parents and carers of primary and high school students. Learn more about this webinar.

Term 1 (AEDT)

5 March 2026, 12:30pm

2026 Booklists

Campion Education is our preferred booklist supplier for 2026.

Campion is an Australian family-owned business and the largest supplier of education resources to secondary schools in Australia.

Campion's retail service centre in Hallam is available for purchases, click and collect, exchanges, refunds and digital help.

The address is:

Unit 5

151-155 Princes Highway

Hallam

https://campion.com.au/

For details on how to order from Campion please click on the below buttons:

Please click on the appropriate year level to view the booklists for 2026:

Free public transport for people aged under 18

From 1 January 2026, all Victorian public transport services - including trams, trains, buses and coach services - will be free for people aged under 18.

To access free travel, students will be required to use a new youth myki card and tap the card on and off each time they travel. In areas where myki cards are not used, students must present their youth myki card to travel free.

Further information about the youth myki card will be available later in Term 4, 2025.

For more information, please visit the Transport Victoria website by clicking on the button below.

Help your learner get on the road with a free driving lesson!

The myLearners Free Driving Lesson program offers a FREE 60-minute Lesson with a professional driving instructor for learners aged 16–19 who have completed 10–30 hours of driving practice. The lesson is taken alongside their supervising driver, helping both the learner and supervisor build safer, more confident driving habits together.

This program supports families by making the learning experience more positive and less stressful. It aims to reduce crash risks for young drivers, strengthen supervising skills, and encourage safer driving behaviours early on all at no cost to participants.

To Find out more please go to - https://mylearnersdrive.com.au/

BYOD information for 2026 including pricing from Edunet

Please visit the button below for information regarding Bring Your Own Devices for 2026, including pricing, ordering details, and key dates.

If you wish to place an order, please click the button below.

Help keep school leavers safe for schoolies

PREPARING FOR SCHOOLIES

We know that some students are already excited to celebrate their final year of secondary school with their friends.

The tragic deaths of 2 Victorian teenagers, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, from methanol poisoning while holidaying together in Laos in 2024 remind us of the importance of staying safe and being aware of risks.

This year, schoolies celebrations will run from Saturday 29 November to Saturday 13 December in Victoria. Beyond these dates, some students may be traveling interstate or overseas for the occasion.

SPEAK WITH YOUR CHILD EARLY

We encourage parents and carers to speak with their child early about any plans for the end of the year.

Providing appropriate and accurate information about alcohol and other drug use, sex and consent, and personal safety can be the key to reducing risks and minimising harm.

The Raising Children Network has information to help families start talking about schoolies, including expectations and how to stay safe.

Red Frogs Australia, a volunteer group that help young people stay safe and seek help at events like schoolies, has tips and advice for students and families.

You and your young person can also refer to the following resources that promote staying safe for schoolies, events and travel:

Better Health Channel, for advice on partying safely at schoolies
Alcohol and Drug Foundation, for advice on staying safe at schoolies and information on potential alcohol and drug harms when travelling
Victoria Police, for advice on staying safe at school leaver celebrations. The page includes videos about sexual assault, illicit drugs and road safety
Smartraveller, for advice on overseas travel for school leavers and partying safely
Doctors without Borders, for information on methanol poisoning for travellers
Simone White Methanol Awareness Instagram page, to help raise awareness about methanol poisoning

Moonlit Sanctuary Holiday Program

Camp Cooinda

If you have a teenager who is keen for adventure and challenge over the holidays, Camp Cooinda runs water-based expedition camps over the summer holidays on the Gippsland Lakes for 12-18 year olds. It's the perfect summer experience for teenagers to build life skills, grow in confidence and meet other like-minded young people. Find out more at campcooinda.au!

Disruptions on the roads in and around Pakenham

Please click on the below button for information about disruptions in Pakenham and the surrounding areas.

Disruptions on the Pakenham Train Line

Please click here or on the image above for further information on any disruptions on the Pakenham and Cranbourne Train Lines.

Connecting with Us

FACEBOOK

https://facebook.com/pakenhamsc

INSTAGRAM

https://instagram.com/pakenhamsecondarycollege

WEBSITE

https://www.pakenhamsc.vic.edu.au

NEWSLETTER

Our College Newsletter is distributed monthly (usually the last Friday of the month) through your Compass newsfeed and our Website.

Key Dates

2025 Term Dates

Important Dates for Term 4 2025