Dean of College

Youth Mental Health 

Recent statistics reveal a concerning rise in mental health challenges among young Australians, with anxiety, depression, and stress-related issues becoming increasingly common. Factors such as academic pressure, social media, and global uncertainty are contributing to this trend. As parents and educators, it's vital we foster open conversations, promote resilience, and ensure children feel supported both at home and in school. Early intervention and emotional awareness can make a lasting difference in their wellbeing. Let's work together to nurture not just strong minds, but kind and confident hearts.

Our work with The Resilience Project has been vital in giving tools and strategies for our young people to help manage their emotions and navigate an increasingly challenging mental health landscape. However, as we approach R U OK day this year the College would like to do more and offer some opportunities to not only our students here at school but also our parent community as well. 

Sydney University - Growing minds check-in - guest speaker at the College

Sydney University has launched a remarkable new study and program aimed at helping parents manage the mental wellbeing of their children - Growing Minds Check-In. The Check-In is a new, free wellbeing Check-In for Australian parents and caregivers of children aged from birth to 17 years. The Check-in allows you to track your child's wellbeing and get access to personalised feedback and research-backed programs and information. Please see attached flyer for more details.

As a part of this program Dr Jaimie Northam a clinical psychologist from Sydney University will be giving a talk to our parent community after hours on Wednesday 10th of September at our College. Dr Northam will speak about the program but also present on “early recognition of mental health stress in young people”. We will be shortly sending out details regarding this talk via email and compass. 

Black Dog Institute - Parent Webinars

The Black Dog Institute has partnered with the Australian Institute of Sport to deliver mental health presentations for young people across the state. We are looking forward to welcoming a speaker later in the term to speak to Years 7 and 8 about the importance of caring for one’s mental wellbeing. 

The Black Dog Institute is also offering free parent webinars which we will be co-presented by a Clinical Youth Psychologist aimed at equipping parents with knowledge and strategies to assist their children. See below for details:

Co-delivered by a clinical psychologist and a youth lived experience advisor, these webinars will explore:

• Understanding mental health in adolescence, including insights from the Future Proofing Study
• What is mental health, and when to be concerned
• Key strategies to support adolescents
• Having the conversation – what to say and how to create a supportive environment
• Getting help – health professionals, online and digital support for parents and adolescents
• Promoting healthy habits – including building connections, sleep, and screen use

Wednesday 27th August @ 7PM (AEST) Register here

Thursday 11th September @ 7PM (AEST) Register here

Thursday 9th October @ 7PM (AEDT) Register here

Monday 20th October @ 7PM (AEDT) Register here

Thursday 30th October @ 7PM (AEDT) Register here

Wednesday 12th November @ 7PM (AEDT) Register here

Thursday 27th November @ 7PM (AEDT) Register here

Wednesday 10th December @ 7PM (AEDT) Register here

Year 8 STEM Success

Our Year 8 students made a spectacular showing at the Transurban STEM Challenge, taking out both first and second place against a field of Year 9 competitors. Tasked with designing a bridge that could withstand the greatest downward force, our teams rose to the occasion—literally. The boys’ bridge held an impressive 22.8kg, earning them first place, while the girls’ bridge followed closely with 15.28kg, securing second.

Beyond the competition, students were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the WestConnex Control Room, which manages Sydney’s toll roads. A highlight was Kingston getting hands-on experience by operating a tunnel camera. The day offered a rare chance to engage with engineers and explore real-world applications of STEM in action.

👏 A huge congratulations to all involved—your creativity and curiosity made us proud!

Well done to the Year 8 Team - Konan Taylor Talipeau, Kingston McHugh, Hunter Trivett-Clarke, Imogen D'Apice, Zoe Pontey, Charlotte Fleming.

Mobile Phones 

NSW Schools Legislation

Starting from Term 4 2023, the NSW Government officially banned mobile phones for students during school hours in all New South Wales high schools—a move aimed at improving student focus and classroom dynamics. 

🔍 Why the Ban?

• Academic Focus: Phones are seen as major distractions, with constant notifications and access to social media and games pulling students’ attention away from learning.
• Mental Health: Reducing screen time during school hours is expected to support better mental wellbeing.
• Cyberbullying Prevention: Limiting phone use helps curb incidents of online harassment among students.
• Social Interaction: Without phones during breaks, students are encouraged to engage in face-to-face conversations and build stronger peer relationships.

The Minns Labor Government passed this legislation bringing NSW into line with other Australian states such as VIC and SA. Schools were given a choice on how to enforce the ban—options include keeping phones in lockers, using locked pouches, or simply requiring them to be turned off and stored in bags. Exceptions are allowed for educational use or health needs, such as monitoring medical conditions.

The overarching goal? A more focused, inclusive, and productive learning environment for every student.

Our College

Our College had already implemented a ban on mobile phone use prior to this legislation and have had a consistent mobile phone policy for a number of years. Recently, and perhaps due in part to some very inclement weather, there has been a rise in mobile phone use within the school. 

We would like to reiterate the core message of our Mobile Phone Policy which is “Off and Away All Day”. Mobile phones are not to be used at our College at any time, in any location unless under the direct instruction and supervision of a teacher. While on College grounds mobile phones should not be seen including as a method of payment at the College canteen (cash or eftpos must be used). 

I would also like to highlight a key aspect of the policy “Any student who refuses to hand in their phone when directed by a staff member will be subject to disciplinary action including suspension”. We take this tough stance because not only is this a very clear and well established policy known to the students but also as soon as we weaken in our resolve in enforcing this policy the whole system unravels. 

Every parent knows the power of these devices and the distractions and issues they cause in every household. We need your support to work with us in enforcing this policy during school hours to ensure your child is getting the best out of their education at our College. You can assist us by:

• Contacting the College office if you need to contact your child during school hours - not contacting them directly through their mobile phone.
• Supporting the College and the stated consequences when there are breaches of the College Mobile Phone policy. 
• Reinforcing the other methods of payment at the school canteen - including cash, eftpos cards and the Flexi-schools online ordering system. 
• Help in establishing a safe and caring school environment by regularly checking in with your child and their mobile phone - monitoring apps, website usage and group chats. 

Uniform and Grooming

Recently at our College Assembly Mrs Hughes and I spoke to the students about getting the “little things right”. Part of this was respecting the College’s uniform and grooming expectations which are an agreed upon enrolment at our school. 

While generally the winter uniform does look very good across the school - it is the little things that are creeping in and undoing the exemplary standard of most students. 

In particular our concerns are:

Incorrect shoes 

- School shoes must be a proper leather school shoe such as Clarkes, ROC or an alternate brand. Black leather sneakers are not permitted

- Sports shoes – supportive lace up joggers. No Vans, Converse etc. This also applies for the students PE lessons

Facial hair

- Students are to be cleanly shaven at all times

Non-school jumpers or hoodies

- The College jumper and spray jacket may be added to the requirements stated above, though not in place of the College blazer in terms 2 and 3

- Other spray jackets and jumpers are NOT permitted at any time

Jewellery

- The following items of jewellery may be worn with the College uniform. Students with pierced ears may wear two (2) pairs of plain gold/silver sleepers/studs (2 in each ear lobe, extenders are not permitted), one ring, one simple metal bracelet or necklace. No other facial piercing is permitted, especially nose rings

Excessive jewellery is of particular concern - by limiting personal adornments, our school aims to reduce visible socioeconomic differences among students, fostering a more inclusive and cohesive community. Excessive jewellery can also present health and workplace safety concerns in science labs, workshops, kitchens and practical lessons. 

To help curb the amount of excessive jewellery the College will be trialing a new procedure where students who are breaching the above College guidelines will be asked to remove their jewellery, place it in a provided envelope and hand it in at the College office until the end of the day when it may be collected and taken home. 

Thursday sport and wet weather

This Winter we have seen a lot of rainy weather and this has impacted the College’s ability to always run the full spectrum of sports available to our students. 

Moving forward on the rare occasions when the entirety of Thursday sport needs to be cancelled the College has made the decision to repeat lessons from periods 1 to 3 on a Thursday. This means that students will be engaged with learning in scheduled lessons for the day and students will already have the necessary equipment for the day. The school day will finish at normal sport time at 2:30pm

Students therefore should not be signing out early on Thursdays due to the weather.