Dear St John's Community,

I think we managed to fit five days of stuff into four this week! I saw a number of students were going home tonight feeling pretty tired! Lucky they have the weekend to recharge. We only have 2 weeks left of this short term and it's going to go pretty quickly.

Last newsletter I talked a bit about FOMO - the Fear Of Missing Out and its impact on kids. This newsletter, I'd like to present some information from some very current research around the use of social media and mobile phones by children and adolescents. Dr Cal Newport (How to Enhance Focus and improve productivity), a computer scientist, recently discussed some of those findings with eminent Psychologist Dr Andrew Huberman. (The Huberman Lab)

In the discussion, Dr Cal revealed how the research is showing that allowing children unrestricted access to the internet pre-puberty is highly risky for social-cognitive brain development. Though, the research also indicates that it's probably too late to do anything about that fact due to the extent of internet and online use by children today. (You can't put the genie back in the bottle...so to speak)

However, it is highly likely we will begin to see change in this space over the next few years as new standards for technology use for adolescents and children are discussed and implemented by organisations and education institutions across the world. So parents, rest assured, that regardless of what they tell you, a little less online time, won't hurt them!

What is being suggested by the data and research is that post-puberty (16+) is mostly likely an appropriate time for unrestricted use of digital tools, internet use and social media platforms. By then, a child's social-cognitive functions are almost fully developed and they are more capable of effectively moderating their online behaviours.

The data also revealed a gender disparity when it came to the types of platforms children are using. Apparently, boys are more likely to be impacted by video games. These are more likely to cause mental distress in boys because games promote disharmonious passion and obsession, are incredibly addictive and cause them to stay up late. Lack of sleep creates the condition where they lack the willpower to change their habits, the brain can't handle much else and the cycle continues and worsens, to their detriment.

Girls, however, tend to be more influenced by social media. Their cognitive distress is caused by what they are seeing, how it impacts their social life and the sort of engagement they are having with what they are seeing.

How do you help them overcome these challenges? Well, while Dr Cal admits they are not welcome ideas and often not practical, the best thing to do is allow games and media content but not to give kids anything that requires online access unless it is supervised.

Another suggestion is not allowing them to play games that are free. Sounds weird right? Games that are free to play are purely designed to be highly addictive. What Dr Cal is suggesting is that the data indicates that paid for games are less likely to have an addictive response, kids get tired of these quicker though they will continue to go back and forth to them but it does not develop that sense of unfettered urgency that they 'have to have it' or 'people are counting on me to play'.

When it comes to reading, fiction story books provide a more robust experience when they are in a physical paper form. Non-fiction reading is a more beneficial and positive experience when done digitally. This is because fiction stories are fixed in place, time and knowledge, while non-fiction is based on information which can change daily. With a digital platform you can also follow connections and ideas, go back and forth to cycle through information and seek up to date information.

We are working hard at St John's to learn more about our brains and impart that knowledge on our students and families so we can make more informed decisions about what we do in our lives and how we can navigate our way through life. Lots more information to come!

1 day to go!

Trybooking Link

Athletics Day

What a sensational day, the weather was great, the atmosphere was alive and the kids were all excited! Thanks to all the parents, friends and relatives who attended on the day and made it that much more exciting for the kids. It was great to see many personal bests reached over the day!

Congratulations to Walsh House (Blue) for taking out the overall points for the day.

A special thank you to those who helped set up, pack up, run the day, helped provide lunches and icy poles and finally a huge thank you to Mr O'Sullivan for organising it all.

Staff news

Mr O'Sullivan has been invited to travel to India over the next few weeks to work with cricket teams and players in the Indian Premier League. This is a very prestigious gig and we wish him all the best. He will be returning early next term.

Mrs Burdett's overseas jaunt has been slightly delayed so she will still be around the first few weeks next term working alongside Mrs Tracy Cranch who will be taking over from her for the rest of the year. Mrs Burdett will also be attending the Grade 5/6 Camp next term before she leaves.

Mr Selby will be taking Long Service Leave next term and we have been fortunate enough to be able to find a replacement for him. Miss Sarah Browning will meet the students in 5/6S over the next two weeks in preparation for taking over next term.

New Australians

Congratulations to two of our students, Lonzo and Liean who recently became Australian Citizens.

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!

A Prayer for our Reconciliation & Communion Candidates

Please remember our Reconciliation and First Communion candidates in their time of preparation.

Dear God,

bless the children of St John's who are coming forward to receive Reconciliation and their Holy Communion for the first time.

May this time of preparation be the step towards a life-long love of the Eucharist. Give them a hunger for your sacred food and the confidence to turn to you for comfort, guidance, and wisdom as they grow into full discipleship.

Amen

Pilates!

Pilates for parents is back this year. Monday's at 9.15am in the school hall. Everyone is welcome, toddlers too! Come in for some social exercise with our qualified instructor and parent, Francesca.

Crossing Supervisor of the Year Awards

Nominations for the 2023/2024 School Crossing Supervisor of the year award are now open!

The purpose of the School Crossing Supervisor Award is to acknowledge the contribution and dedication School Crossing Supervisors provide by maintaining and providing a safe and enjoyable journey to and from your individual school and all schools throughout Victoria.

To nominate a School Crossing Supervisor, please click on the link:

School Crossing Supervisor Of The Year Awards | School Crossings Victoria

Have a stupendous weekend.

Kind regards,

Derek Bruitzman

Principal

Something funny!

Q: What is a builder's favourite music?

A: Heavy metal - but only if it meets Australian Standards!

Q: When is a bear not a bear?

A: When it doesn't have the right koalafications

Q: Would you like to hear the joke about paper?

A: Never mind... it's tear-able

Mr B's Fun Facts & Trivia

Officially, the Australian Green & Gold colours were proclaimed in 1984 but did you know that when Ned Kelly was killed in 1880 he was proudly wearing a green and gold sash under his armour
Crocodiles cannot stick their tongues out
More than 80% of all flora and fauna in Australia is unique to this country
Eggs And Bacon Bay, Milkshake Hills, Trousers Point, Granny’s Gut, Satan’s Lair, Lovely Bottom and Stinkhole are all place names in Tasmania

Grade 1/2'