Principal's Message
Dear Parents/Carers,
Thank you to everyone who attended the Y-SAFE cybersafety information session last week. I hope, like me, you learned a few new things regarding how to best keep our young people much safer in the digital world.
I am sure, that like me, you were horrified by the statistics that showed by the age of 12:
- 50% of children have regular exposure to sexual images.
- 73% have been exposed to pornography.
- 57% have seen violence that was disturbing.
33% have seen images or videos promoting terrorism.
A couple of the important lessons that I took out of the session included:
How do we teach our children to identify what we mean by a 'stranger' on the internet?
- Do you know their first and last name?
- Have you met them in real life?
- Do your parents know them?
If you can not answer YES to any of these questions, then you DON'T KNOW who they REALLY are!
How do we teach our children NOT to be a cyberbully?
Train your child to ask themselves 4 simple questions before they write / post ANYTHING online;
- Will it upset anyone?
- Will it embarrass anyone?
- Will it damage their reputation?
- Will you like some other person to know that you wrote / posted that in twenty-years time? Because once it is online it can NEVER be erased!
As adults it is up to us to control what our children are doing online.
The recommendations include;
Purchase a Parental Control tool
Seriously consider installing parental controls on your child's device.
They can assist you in managing their use of smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other connected gadgets, helping protect them from digital risks and harmful behaviour, including online bullying, predators, pornography, compulsive gaming, or inappropriate tech use. They can be purchased for as little as $7 per month.......a small price to pay to know that your child is safe when you can't be next to them! More information on the Y-safe hub.
Know what you child is doing online
Ensure your child is using their devices in areas where they can be monitored in the house.....NOT in their bedrooms!
Set Boundaries (consistent screen-time and behaviour boundaries.)
Co-write a family tech agreement to give your child a voice when it comes to their digital habits and ensure YOU model the same habits. (e.g. If the rule is NO technology at the dinner table, then that includes YOU not looking at your phone!)
Openly communicate
Talk, Talk, Talk about everything all the time.
Start any conversation with a positive before you highlight the negative or danger associated with technology.
Show genuine interest and get involved in what your children are doing online. Even play the games with them!
Our responsibility is not to STOP our children using technology...rather it is to teach them how to use it safely and responsibly.
Steve Darcy (Principal)
AMADEUS PERFORMANCES
Our very talented musicians will be showcasing their talents at different times this Term. Have a look below to see when your child may be performing.
Week 8 (Friday 12 September Assembly 2:15)
Year 5 String & Band Ensembles
Week 9 (Friday 19 September 8:20)
Before School Year 4 ensembles perform
TERM 4 DISCO
Our Parent Group would like to organise a disco for our students in Term 4. At this stage the suggested date is Friday 14 November.
If any parent/carer is available to help out (e.g. cooking the BBQ, serving food, selling items, setting up / cleaning up) please email Nikki Blanche at:
An event such as this can only take place with the support of parent volunteers
ST PATRICK'S PARENT GROUP
Our Parent group is looking for people to nominate to take on a leadership role within this very important group in our community.
The role description of the PRESIDENT, the SECRETARY and the TREASURER can be found in the Constitution which can be located here.
If you are interested OR you would like to nominate someone (please ask them first!) please send through their name and the position they are interested in to pnf.01908@sydstu.catholic.edu.au
Also, if you are interested in becoming part of the FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE for 2026, please email your interest to the same address.