From the Assistant Principal

As we say farewell to the 2023 school year, I am filled with gratitude as I reflect on the year. I've appreciated the opportunities I have had to work with so many of you throughout the year.

To our Grade 6 Class of 2023 - It seems like just yesterday we welcomed them on their first day of Prep. Watching them grow into the wonderful young people they are today has been a true highlight.  I have no doubt that they will carry with them the values instilled at Wonga Park Primary. I wish them all every success and fulfillment in the next chapter of their educational journey.

To the families that are finishing with us this year, thank you. It's always very hard to say goodbye - please keep in touch, please also know how much we have appreciated you and thankful we are for the difference you have made during your time at Wonga Park PS.

Working at Wonga Park Primary School is a privilege. The sense of community, collaboration, and dedication to the well-being and growth of our students is something truly special. As we approach the holiday season, I want to express my heartfelt wishes for a safe and restful break. May you all create beautiful memories with your loved ones, celebrating the joy and warmth that this festive season brings.

I would also like to take the opportunity to share some important Cyber Safety reminders with you as we head into the holiday period. 

Students can find themselves having more time on devices during holiday periods, so it's a good time to revisit family agreements regarding Screen Time. 

The eSafety Commissioner has published the  information below regarding helping your child achieve a healthy balance in their online and offline activities. 

Screen time Help your child achieve a healthy balance in their online and offline activities.

How much is too much?

There is no magic figure. The right amount of screen time can depend on a range of factors like your child’s age and maturity, the kind of content they are consuming, their learning needs and your family routine. 

It can be easy to focus only on the clock, but the quality and nature of what they are doing online, and your involvement, are just as important.

Consider your child’s screen use in the context of their overall health and wellbeing. For example, is online time getting in the way of their sleep and exercise? Is it impacting on their face-to-face connections with family and friends? The answers to these questions will guide you and help strike the right balance of online and offline activities for your child.

Signs to watch for

Signs that your child’s online activity may be having a negative impact on them or on your family include: 

• less interest in social activities like meeting friends or playing sport
• not doing so well at school
• tiredness, sleep disturbance, headaches, eye strain 
• changes in eating patterns
• reduced personal hygiene
• obsession with particular websites or games
• extreme anger when being asked to take a break from online activity
• appearing anxious or irritable when away from the computer
• becoming withdrawn from friends and family

What to do if you are concerned

Ask questions and listen

• Some of the behavioural changes described above are a normal part of growing up but, if you are concerned your child is struggling, try to find out why — there may be underlying issues such as cyberbullying, friendship difficulties or mental health issues. 
• As part of your conversation, ask your child about how much time they spend online and explain why it is worrying and what they could be missing out on. 
• Try not to show that you disapprove or they might shut down communication altogether. 
• Talking to your child’s school may also reveal academic or social issues, and the school may also be able to provide support.

Explore underlying issues and seek help if necessary

• You can read advice for parents about issues like cyberbullying, gaming, and grooming and unwanted contact.
• If necessary, you can get help for your child through a counselling or online support service.

Help your child manage their online time

Stay engaged and encourage balance

• Keep an eye on the games, apps and devices your child uses. Chat with your child regularly and help them stay aware of how much time they are spending on different online and offline activities. 
• Include positive things outside the online world in your conversations, such as what they love in life, careers they are interested in and new hobbies.
• Join in. Play games together as a family, or explore some joint online projects. Rather than being just a solitary activity, online time can then become another way of strengthening connections as well as building social skills.
• Where possible, avoid limiting online time as a punishment as this approach may inflate its importance to children.

Create a plan

• Involve your child in creating a family plan for leisure and entertainment time that balances time spent sitting in front of screens — including time online and watching TV — and a variety of offline activities. 
• Work out the plan together. Young people are more likely to respond to rules they have contributed to and see as being fair and consistent.
• As well as agreed age-based time limits, the plan could include rules about which websites can be visited and online games can be played. It could also include control of access to the internet or devices, perhaps with daily passwords revealed once family time, homework and chores are complete. 
• A minor reduction each day or a ‘15-minutes to switch-off’ warning can help the transition to a more balanced use of time. 

Reducing your own screen time also sets a positive example.

• You could also consider formalising your plan into a signed written agreement — a family online safety contract. Our advice in online safety basics has some tips on this.
• There should be clear consequences for not sticking to the agreement and it is important to follow through with these. 

Use the available technology

• Parental controls are software tools that allow you to monitor and limit what your child sees and does online. But be honest and open with your children about why and how you want to use these technologies.
• There are also apps and software to measure online time as well as set time limits on device use or internet access.
• Find out more information in parental controls.

Set boundaries for digital device use in your home

Device-free zones and times can help you manage screen time. For example, your family plan could include rules like this:

• no devices in the bedroom for younger children
• all screens off in bedrooms after a certain time for older children
• all screens off at least one hour before planned bedtime
• all family members switch off at dinner time
• devices charged overnight in a place your child cannot access

Social Media 

The eSafety Commissioner does not recommend the use of Social Media for students under the age of 13. Age requirements are in place due to data protection laws. Online services are not allowed to collect or store children's personal information in they are under 13 years of age. We are aware however that some students are connected on Social Media - you are encouraged to read the following information regarding Pressures from Social Media.

Pressures from social media

Social media can be a great way to stay in touch with friends, but sometimes it can also cause us to compare our lives to others, or feel like we need to be constantly connected.

It can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the posts you see on social media reflect real life, when most of the time they are showing you a lifestyle about as realistic as a movie set. 

You might even do it too. Whether it is putting a few filters on your selfie, planning a ‘candid’ photo or posting about a night out that wasn’t actually as fun as you say it was, we all create online personas that show the best parts of our offline lives and erase the times when we feel a little bit down, depressed or just plain flat.

The pressures from social media are very real and they have consequences for all of us. They can affect your mental health and how you feel about yourself. Here are some tips on how to deal with the pressures from social media.

What to do

Check yourself

If you’re feeling unsure about posting something, ask yourself why am I doing this? Is it because you are trying to look a certain way online? If what you’re posting online is more about keeping up a certain appearance, it’s probably best not to post it. Being yourself online is just as important as being yourself offline. Stick to posting things that reflect who you really are, and make you feel good about yourself. 

Social media is not real life

Think critically about what you see online — a lot of posts are not 100% real. Behind every staged post is someone taking the same photo 30 times with different angles or carefully placing things to make it look natural. Remember, celebrities put filters on their photos or stage things to make it appear as if their life is way more interesting than it really is. And celebrities have bad days too — even though this may not be apparent from their social media feeds.

Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad 

Go through the accounts you follow and ask yourself whether they are making you feel positive or negative. Then unfollow accounts that make you feel bad about yourself and follow the accounts that make you feel good. Try to keep your feed full of posts that are inspiring or reflect things that you are genuinely interested in, rather than posts that make you feel angry or bad about yourself. 

Turn off your notifications and have a phone-free day

If you feel like you are spending too much time scrolling through your feed and it is contributing to the pressure you feel, try switching off. If you feel like you’re getting caught in a social media loop, it can be good to break it up and log off for a while. Leave your phone at home and get out there.

Talk to someone

The pressures from social media can make you feel isolated and like everyone else is having a fantastic time, even though this may not be the case. If you feel like you want to talk to someone, or you are getting depressed, reach out to one of these online and phone counselling services for help and support.

Finally, as students transition into secondary school they may find themselves receiving a mobile phone. Please read the information below related to this topic, it contains helpful information regarding;

• establishing rules with clear boundaries
• using technology tools to help set the boundaries to keep your child safe
• communicating openly with your child, establish and maintaining trust

Kindest regards

Adele Brice