Director of Student Wellbeing

Online Safety Spotlight: Understanding Snapchat 

Snapchat remains one of the most popular social media platforms among young people. While it can be a positive way for students to connect with friends and communicate with peers, it is important for families to understand some of the platform's features and potential risks.

Features such as disappearing messages, location sharing through Snap Map, and the recently introduced My AI chatbot can create opportunities for connection but also require young people to make safe and responsible decisions online. Regular conversations about privacy, respectful communication and online safety remain one of the most effective ways parents can support their children.

To help families stay informed, the College provides access to the Online Safety Hub, which contains up-to-date information, reviews of popular apps, practical advice and resources to support safe technology use at home.

We encourage all parents and carers to explore the Online Safety Hub and learn more about Snapchat and other digital platforms commonly used by young people:

https://stvirgils.onlinesafetyhub.com.au/parent

Supporting Wellbeing Beyond the School Day

Our Welfare Team is committed to supporting the wellbeing of every student. We are fortunate to have a dedicated team of staff who work closely with students and families to provide care, guidance and support throughout the school day.

While we are always here to assist during school hours, we recognise that challenges can arise outside of these times, including evenings, weekends, and school holidays. During these periods, families may benefit from accessing external support services that can provide advice, counselling, crisis support, or wellbeing resources. 

Please see below a list of external providers and support services that may be beneficial to your family in supporting your son's wellbeing:

• In a mental health EMERGENCY call 000 and/or take your young person to the Emergency Department. This includes if your child or someone you know is at risk of harming themselves or others, and/or they are presenting with very concerning behaviour. 
• Book an appointment with your GP: Your GP can provide support, information and assist with referrals to other services through a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
• Call or visit The Peacock Centre in North Hobart (03 6166 0755. The Centre provides support through the Mental Health Integration Hub (mental health services and referrals), Safe Haven (crisis support), and Peacock House (12-bedroom unit, intensive support)

The following agencies may also be of assistance: 

• Headspace (Hobart: 03 6231 2927) provides free mental health support and counselling for young people aged 12 – 25 years
• Relationships Australia Tasmania (1300 364 277) delivers a wide range of services including counselling, education, and early intervention and support services. 
• Aboriginal Health Service (Hobart: 03 6234 0777) provides services for Tasmania Aboriginal people of all ages. 

Speak Up! Stay ChatTY Shorts Day

Next week, on Friday 19 June, St Virgil’s College will be supporting Speak Up! Stay ChatTY’s Shorts Day, an important initiative that encourages conversations about mental health and reminds our young people of the importance of speaking up, checking in and seeking support when needed.

Shorts Day is about more than simply wearing shorts. It is a visible way of showing support for mental health awareness and helping to reduce the stigma that can sometimes prevent people from reaching out for help. 

The shorts are a simple but powerful symbol of the day. Wearing shorts in the middle of winter may feel uncomfortable, but this reflects the reality that speaking about mental health can also feel uncomfortable. By choosing to brave the cold, students are showing that they are also willing to brave important conversations, support one another and help reduce the stigma around mental health.

Students are invited to wear non-uniform shorts with their PE uniform on the day, with the more colourful options strongly encouraged. Students are asked to bring a small donation on the day or contribute by following our College QR code to support Speak Up! Stay ChatTY and the important work they do. 

Positive Start to Every Day

At our Senior campus, the school day begins at 8.40am. From Monday to Thursday, this time is dedicated to Pastoral Care, while on Fridays our alternate timetable means that Period 1 commences at 8.40am. It is important that students arrive on time and are ready to engage in the day ahead.

Pastoral Care provides valuable opportunities for students to organise themselves for the day, receive important information, connect with their peers and check in with the staff who know them best. These daily interactions play an important role in supporting student wellbeing, engagement and academic success.

We understand that occasional delays can occur due to traffic, bus services or unforeseen circumstances. However, these situations are generally the exception rather than the rule. Consistently arriving on time helps students establish positive routines, reduces unnecessary stress, and ensures they do not miss important opportunities to connect and prepare for learning. We want to set our young men up for success each morning and arriving at the College on time is one of the first wins they can have in their day.