Pastoral Care

School Opal Cards
Student ID Cards
How to support students struggling returning to school
Social media age restrictions explained - free webinar
Bright Thinking - Anxiety Group Program
Webinars empowering parents and carers to support teen mental health

School Opal Cards

All students are required to have a School Opal Card and to tap on and off when travelling to and from school. These cards are subsidised by the NSW Government and may be free, depending on the distance from your home to school. Please see the information below from Transport NSW on distances required for eligibility for a free card.

If your son does not have a card, please apply using the link below.

Tapping on and off ensures that we have enough public transport, especially buses allocated for our students.

https://transportnsw.info/tickets-fares/eligibility-concessions/school-student-travel/apply-for-school-travel-pass-or-school

You need to live a minimum distance from your school to be eligible for a free school travel pass. The minimum distance varies according to the year/grade you are enrolled in, in that calendar year:

Years 3 to 6 (Primary): 1.6 kilometres straight line distance or 2.3 kilometres walking or further from home.
Years 7 to 12 (Secondary): 2 kilometres straight line distance or 2.9 kilometres walking or further.

From Transport NSW website

Student ID Cards

All students are expected to carry their student ID card while at school. This card enables them to sign in, make purchases at the canteen through their FlexiSchools account, sit examinations or participate in other school‑based activities. If your son does not currently have a card, he must visit the front office by the end of Week 4 to receive a free replacement. Any student who does not have a card after this grace period will be charged $10 and may face further sanctions.

How to support students struggling returning to school

Take a student-centered approach in developing a return to school plan and recognise that a student’s perception of what may or may not be the problem.

Build trust and find a time to chat with the student to hear their concerns, as knowing their concerns supports addressing them.

Develop agreed clear achievable strategies with the student to identify and manage their concerns. Focus on their strengths and positive ways to engage in daily activities.

Celebrate and acknowledge milestone achievements no matter how big or small.

Consider other professional supports the student may require and agree how these supports may be introduced and when.

Review like any plan, it is important to acknowledge, sometimes plans or supports may change. It’s important to set up regular reviews to see whether the plan is still working or needs updating.

Social Media Age Restrictions Explained – A Webinar for Parents and Carers from the eSafety Commissioner

Organisation: eSafety Commissioner

Location: Online

Date: 24 February 2026

Cost: Free

As you would be aware, from 10 December 2025, certain social media platforms are no longer allowed to let Australian children under 16 create or keep an account. Join this information session to understand the changes.

This 30-minute webinar will help parents and carers understand the changes to social media access for children under 16.

Join the information session to:

• understand the purpose of the new age restrictions and how they aim to protect young Australians

• understand which platforms will require users to be 16+ and what platforms they can still access

• get tips and resources to support your child’s online safety and wellbeing through the transition.

Parents and carers will gain:

• a clear understanding of the new rules and their implications

• confidence in guiding their child through these changes

• access to trusted resources to support safe and positive online engagement.

Find out more and register

Bright Thinking - Anxiety Group Program for Teens

Webinars empowering parents and carers to support teen mental health

The Black Dog Institute are offering free mental health webinars designed to provide practical tools, strategies and insights to help them support the young people in their lives.