School Life & Wellbeing
Wellbeing - School TV
Our school has partnered with SchoolTV – a trusted resource that prioritises student mental health and wellbeing. Because parenting doesn’t come with instructions, SchoolTV is now accessible through our school to help you navigate some of the more complex issues young people face. It provides practical strategies and trusted guidance to support your child.
Parenting is a learning journey, and with a little help from SchoolTV, you can engage in meaningful conversations with your child on topics that may sometimes feel awkward or difficult to address. SchoolTV covers a vast range of topics, each featuring interviews with leading global experts and a carefully curated selection of resources from key organisations. We encourage you to explore and utilise this platform, as it serves as a valuable tool in building relationships, fostering connections, and deepening understanding.
By breaking down barriers, it helps pave the way towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. To stay informed about the latest topics, we also recommend signing up for ‘Get Alerts’. This feature ensures you receive updates as new content becomes available, and you can easily register through the link provided within each topic. Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in shaping a young person’s life, and SchoolTV is here to support you in nurturing confident and informed parenting.
SchoolTV is accessible via our college website under the Wellbeing tab:
School TV – Marist Sion College
Child Safety and Wellbeing – Bus Travel
Many of our college community relay heavily of the College and Public bus services for student transportation to and from the College. Recently, I have had to address issues of safety on the bus. Students have been reminded the college expectations include travel to and from school, regardless if they are on a public or private bus.
Students in breach of the College expectations may be removed from the bus service for a period of time. Can I encourage all parents and guardians to have conversations with their children regarding appropriate behaviour and expectations on the bus as I understand removal from the bus services can make school arrangements more challenging for families.
Child Safety and Wellbeing – Upcoming Social Media Law Changes in Australia.
By now I’m sure you may have heard of the incoming Social media law changes in Australia due to take effect on the 10th of December 2025.
From this date major social-media platforms will be legally required to take “reasonable steps” to prevent children under 16 years of age from creating or maintaining accounts.
This law applies to major platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, X (Twitter), Facebook, YouTube, Reddit, and Kick, with more likely to be added over time.
If these companies do not comply, they may face significant fines (up to $50 million per breach). Importantly, children and parents are not penalised — the responsibility lies with the platforms themselves.
SPECIAL REPORT: New Social Media Regulations: What you need to know | Marist-Sion College
Why These Changes Are Being Made?
- To protect young people from harmful or age-inappropriate content.
- To reduce exposure to addictive algorithms and social-comparison pressures.
- To address mental-health concerns, such as anxiety, cyberbullying, and online grooming.
- To ensure transparency about how social-media companies collect and use children’s data.
- To encourage families and schools to support healthy, age-appropriate digital habits.
Adolescence is a critical stage in brain development, particularly in the areas that control decision-making, impulse regulation, and emotional processing. Because these areas are still maturing, teenagers are more susceptible to the rewards and instant feedback built into social media platforms — such as likes, follows, and notifications. These features are designed by algorithms to keep users engaged for as long as possible, often triggering dopamine responses that reinforce repeated use. This makes it easier for young people to develop patterns of social media dependence or even addiction, where their self-esteem, attention, and mood become closely tied to online interactions. Combined with exposure to comparison culture, misinformation, and online pressure, these factors can have lasting effects on mental health and wellbeing if not balanced with healthy digital habits and offline connections.
The law reflects growing international concern about the impact of social media on children’s wellbeing. It’s designed to shift accountability to the companies, while empowering parents and schools to guide responsible use.
How This Affects Our School Community
- We will reinforce digital citizenship education in Years 7–10.
- We can support parents to understand the changes and talk with their children about online life. See below.
- Staff will continue to ensure classroom resources comply with privacy and age-access requirements.
About YouTube and School Use?
- Students cannot access YouTube through their school Google accounts unless parents complete the Google permission form that was emailed earlier in the term.
- Teachers can still embed relevant YouTube videos into Stile lessons or PowerPoint slides for learning purposes.
- The College’s ClickView platform remains unaffected and is our preferred source for safe, curriculum-aligned video content.
What Parents Can Do Now?
- Start a conversation – Ask your child what platforms they use, what they enjoy, and what worries them online.
- Review their accounts – Check privacy settings, content, and who can contact them.
- Set boundaries together – Agree on screen-free times (e.g. before bed, during meals).
- Model good digital behaviour – Talk about how adults also manage online distractions.
Stay informed – Use the eSafety resources for guidance on current platforms and risks.
Official eSafety Resources
Parents and Carers: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents
Educators and Schools: https://www.esafety.gov.au/educators
School TV: SPECIAL REPORT: New Social Media Regulations: What you need to know | Marist-Sion College
Our Shared Message
These changes are not about punishment — they are about protection and partnership. The new law places responsibility where it belongs — on the platforms — while encouraging all of us to support young people in building safe, balanced digital habits.
Where to access support?
The College has a support network for all students to assist in managing their mental health and wellbeing. Students are encouraged to seek wellbeing support from the Counselling and Wellbeing Services Team. A team of counsellors are available five days a week to meet with students and families.
Additional support is available by contacting Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, Parentline Victoria on 13 22 89 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
Mr Daniel Nisbet
Deputy Principal: Wellbeing Partnerships and Safety