Principal's Update

Mr Brett Van Berkel

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we near the final weeks of Term 4, I wish to take a moment to reflect on the important milestones and exciting opportunities ahead for our College community.

Year 12 – The Final Chapter

Our Year 12 students are entering their final week of exams, with many already finished and enjoying the freedom that comes with officially completing their formal schooling. This is a time of mixed emotions, pride, relief, and anticipation for what lies ahead.

Preparations are well underway for our Valedictory Celebration on Friday 21 November, a special occasion to honour your child’s achievements and mark the end of their school journey. I look forward to celebrating with you and bidding farewell to our students as they step into new opportunities, whether that be university, apprenticeships, employment, or a gap year filled with work or travel.

As Saint Marcellin Champagnat reminds us: “To educate is to prepare young people to give back to the world more than they have received.” This quote captures the essence of our hopes for our graduates, that they will use their gifts to make a positive difference in the world.

I would like to personally thank all our Year 12 students for their dedication and passion throughout 2025. It has been inspiring to see you develop, and I look forward to hearing about your successes in the years to come.

Headstart for 2026

For the rest of our students, the coming week brings the final stretch of classes and exams before we transition into Headstart for 2026. This program is an excellent opportunity to set the foundation for success in the new year by engaging in their upcoming classes and stepping confidently into their next year level.

Our dedicated staff has been working hard to prepare for this transition, and we hope students embrace this opportunity to challenge themselves and start the new academic year with enthusiasm.

Masterplan and Building Update

Exciting progress continues on our College Masterplan projects:

New Restaurant and Refurbished Kitchen Facilities

Construction of our new restaurant on Desailly Street and the refurbishment of a second classroom kitchen are progressing well. These projects remain on schedule and will be a welcome addition to our vibrant Food and Hospitality offerings. Both sites will be operational in Term 1 2026, ready to provide students with modern facilities for learning and creativity.

Reception and Administration Upgrade

If you have recently visited the College, you will have noticed that our reception is temporarily located in the Student Service Centre. This is due to the refurbishment of our reception and administration offices to create more space for our expanding team. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, but these changes are necessary to support our growing community. The new, modern reception is designed to complement our heritage building and will be ready by the start of 2026, providing a welcoming and practical space for all.

Upcoming Social Media Age Restrictions for Under-16s

From 10 December 2025, new Australian laws will require many popular social media platforms to prevent children under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts. This change is part of the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 and aims to give young people more time to develop social, emotional, and digital skills before engaging with social media.

What Does This Mean?

Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Threads, Reddit, and Kick will be classified as age-restricted.
Children under 16 will still be able to view content that doesn’t require logging in, but they won’t be able to post, comment, or create accounts.

Why the Change?

The eSafety Commissioner emphasises that social media design features, such as endless scrolling, algorithm-driven feeds, and constant notifications, can increase stress, reduce sleep, and expose young people to harmful content. Delaying access offers “breathing space” for children to develop resilience and digital literacy.

How Can Parents Support Their Child?

Begin the conversation early: Ask your child what they know about the changes and how they feel.
Present it as a delay, not a ban: Highlight that this concerns safety and wellbeing, not punishment.
Explore alternatives: Promote creative, offline activities and secure online environments such as educational platforms.
Use this time to develop skills: Discuss online safety, respectful communication, and what actions to take if something goes wrong.

Helpful Resources

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in your child’s education. Together, we continue to nurture a community grounded in faith, learning, and wellbeing.

God bless,

Brett Van Berkel

Principal