Students & Wellbeing

Switch on to social media ban

While the School Executive team is busy planning for 2026, one upcoming date stands out: Wednesday, 10 December - the last day of school for our students and the first day of Australia’s social media ban for under-16s.

It is easy to underestimate the impact of this change on younger students, but I urge you not to. Instead, I ask all parents and guardians to take a moment to read the recent SchoolTV article, which explains:

From 10 December 2025, age-restricted social media platforms will have to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from creating or keeping an account. This landmark reform marks a major step forward in addressing growing concerns about the impact of social media on children’s mental health and development. 

While this regulation is an important milestone, it cannot replace parental guidance. Families remain vital in helping children navigate the online world with awareness and confidence.

This is a perfect opportunity to review technology use at home, set healthy boundaries, and start open conversations about digital behaviour. Understanding what these new regulations mean and why they matter, parents and caregivers are empowered to support their children’s safety and wellbeing during this transition.

New mobile phone approach 

To support students, we are introducing mandatory phone pouches for Years 7–9 from the start of 2026. Each student will be provided with a Yondr Phone Pouch on their first day at school. These must be secured at the start of the school day and unlocked at the end, or earlier if leaving for an appointment. These pouches do not block signals, so messages will still come through, but they prevent students from accessing messages, watching social media or searching for inappropriate sites whilst at school and in classes. Research shows this approach improves focus and wellbeing and it is a step that many secondary schools either have already taken or are taking next year. 

I encourage you to explore Yondr’s benefits and contact me with any questions or queries that you might have. This is the St George’s way of keeping our students safe whilst in our care. Parents can still ‘track’ their child’s phone should they wish to do so, phones will remain in each child’s possession, but it will not be able to be accessed from the start of the school day until the end of the school day. It thereby reenforces our current Mobile Phone Policy.

Each pouch has the school logo on and a space for each child’s name. They will be part of the issue of school-based items, alongside the School Diary when every student across Years 7 – 9 commence school in 2026.

Camp with Growth Hunting

Next week, our Year 9 cohort heads off to camp - their first experience working with Growth Hunting. I am excited to hear their feedback when they return. Thank you to all staff and families for supporting these important developments in the life of our school.

Mr Ian Thompson 

Dean of Students & Wellbeing