Director of Student Wellbeing

Polished Man Fundraising Campaign 

Today, during House Assembly, we launched our Polished Man fundraising campaign.

Over the next two weeks, students will be invited to paint one fingernail and collect donations in support of this important cause. The painted nail is a conversation starter, a visible sign that we stand together against violence towards women and children.

Polished Man is an Australian movement that raises awareness and funds to help prevent violence and build safer, more caring communities. The campaign encourages everyone, particularly boys and men, to speak up, challenge harmful attitudes and be part of positive change.

Supporting Polished Man gives our students an opportunity to demonstrate empathy, courage and social responsibility. It reminds them that violence is never acceptable and that even a small action can begin an important conversation, raise awareness and contribute to meaningful change.

We encourage families to support our students as they wear their polished nail with pride and raise funds over the coming fortnight. 

Wishing Our Senior Students All the Best

As our senior students prepare for their upcoming examinations, we wish them every success during this important period. We recognise the hard work, dedication and commitment they have demonstrated throughout the year and encourage them to approach their exams with confidence and a positive mindset.

We also acknowledge that the examination period can bring additional stress and pressure for students and their families. Maintaining a healthy balance between study, rest, physical activity and time with family and friends is particularly important. 

We remind families that support is always available at the College. Students who may be feeling overwhelmed or experiencing difficulties managing the pressures of examinations are encouraged to reach out to their Subject Teachers, Pastoral Care Teachers or Head of House.

Qustodio Parent App: A Reminder to Families

I would like to remind families that they can still register for the Qustodio Parent App using the email address currently held on file by the College. Registration can be completed using the link below:

Qustodio Registration Link

Qustodio provides parents and carers with greater visibility and control over their son's digital activity, helping families establish healthy boundaries around technology use. Through the app, parents can monitor screen time, manage access to websites and applications, and encourage more balanced and responsible device habits at home.

As a College, we believe that developing healthy digital habits is an important part of supporting our students' wellbeing. Qustodio provides families with practical tools to reinforce the expectations we promote at school, while encouraging conversations about online safety, responsible technology use and digital wellbeing.

I strongly encourage families who have not yet registered to take advantage of this valuable resource. 

Understanding 'Looksmaxxing'

Social media continues to shape how young people view themselves, their relationships and the world around them. One emerging trend that parents and carers should be aware of is 'looksmaxxing', an online movement gaining popularity among teenage boys and young men.

Looksmaxxing refers to the idea of maximising physical attractiveness through changes to appearance, fitness, grooming and lifestyle. While some aspects encourage positive habits such as exercise, healthy eating and personal hygiene, others promote unrealistic beauty standards, unhealthy comparisons and potentially dangerous practices.

Why Should Parents Be Concerned?

For many young men, adolescence is already a time of significant physical and emotional change. Social media can amplify insecurities by presenting highly edited images and influencers who promote the idea that physical appearance determines popularity, relationships and personal success.

Some looksmaxxing communities encourage young men to obsess over particular facial features, body composition or perceived imperfections. More extreme content can promote excessive dieting, unsafe supplements and harmful methods of altering physical appearance.

Of particular concern is the connection between some of these online communities and harmful messages about masculinity, self-worth and relationships. What begins as an interest in fitness or self-improvement can gradually expose young people to increasingly negative or unrealistic expectations.

How Can You Support Your Son?

As a College, we recognise the importance of helping our young men develop a healthy sense of identity, confidence and self-worth that extends well beyond physical appearance.

Parents and carers can play an important role by taking an interest in the content their sons encounter online and creating opportunities for open conversations about body image, social media and the pressures young people experience.

Rather than dismissing these trends, we encourage families to ask questions, challenge unrealistic expectations and reinforce that a young man's value is not determined by his appearance, physical strength or popularity.

It is equally important to recognise and celebrate the qualities that genuinely shape character, including kindness, integrity, resilience, respect and the way we treat others.

Working Together to Support Positive Wellbeing

We want our young men to develop confidence in who they are, rather than feeling pressured to meet unrealistic standards promoted online. Supporting positive body image, respectful relationships and responsible digital habits remains an important part of our approach to student wellbeing.

I encourage all families to take a few minutes to read the following article available through our Online Safety Hub. It provides further information about looksmaxxing, the potential risks and practical advice for parents navigating these conversations with their sons.

Read the full article here:

What is Looksmaxxing? A Guide for Parents | St Virgil's College Online Safety Hub