Overcoming FOMO – Fear Of Missing Out

A new study has shed further light on the effect of social media on young people’s mental health, closely linking FOMO – the fear of missing out – with high social media use and symptoms of anxiety.

Australian high school students who reported high social media use in conjunction with high levels of FOMO also reported increased symptoms of anxiety, while those with lower levels of FOMO had less anxiety when online, according to a new study.

However, the paper, published in the latest edition of the Australian Journal of Psychology, also showed 54 per cent of students with high social media use but low levels of FOMO said their anxiety increased if they did not use social media.

Out of 960 students aged 12 to 16, 25 per cent said they were using social media one to four times a day, 21 per cent were using it five to ten times a day, 18 per cent were using it more than ten times a day, and 16 per cent reported using it “constantly”.

In today's digital age, it's essential for both students and parents to find a healthy balance between screen time and real-life activities. Here are some practical tips to help you overcome the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) and maintain a healthy relationship with technology.

For Students:

Do an Audit: Take a moment to estimate your daily phone usage and then check your phone's settings to see the actual numbers. You might be surprised at the difference.
Make Your Phone Boring: Move apps that distract you onto a separate device, like a tablet or computer, and set time limits for their use.
Quiet the Noise: Turn off most notifications and fine-tune the rest so you only hear from the people who matter.
Prioritize: Identify what truly matters to you – it's unlikely to be what's happening on social media.
Put the Phone Down: Make time for activities where you can't use your phone or are less likely to, like sports, exercise, playing musical instruments, or art and craft.
Learn to Be Bored: Resist the urge to reach for your phone when you have nothing else to do. Embrace moments of boredom.
Be Selective: Choose your online groups carefully and don't hesitate to mute or leave them if needed.

For Parents:

Cold Turkey Won't Work: Taking the phone away from a child with an unhealthy relationship with it can lead to conflict. Find a more constructive approach.
Phones Equal Responsibility: When giving your child their first phone, set clear expectations for its use.
Be Aware: Stay informed about how high-school-age children behave on social media and have regular conversations with your child about their online activities.
Set a Good Example: Demonstrate healthy phone use as a parent, as children often model their behaviour after their parents.
Not All Bad: Let your children know that feeling FOMO is a natural human emotion.
IRL First: Encourage your child to engage in non-screen-based hobbies and face-to-face social interactions.
Quality over Quantity: Advise them to be selective in their online friendships and engage only in groups where they feel supported.
Healthy Goals: Help your child identify what truly matters to them and how to prioritize their goals in a balanced way.

Remember, finding the right balance between screen time and real-life experiences is essential for overall wellbeing. By following these tips, both students and parents can develop healthier relationships with technology and reduce FOMO.

Acknowledgement: The Educator 12 October 2023 from a media release from Macquarie University. Full article here

Parents and Friends

A wonderful night was had by all at the Parents’ and Friends’ Executive Team meeting last week. So much effort has gone into building community by our dedicated parent and carers. From sports barbeques, the Blue, Black and Gold Dinner, Trivia Night, Mother’s Day masses, Father’s Day masses and the HSC Major Works evening, they are always there, generous with their time for the benefit of their son/s and the entire community.

In order to save time at the next Parents’ and Friends’ meeting (to allow parents/carers to go to the Celebrity Cricket Match at Pratten Park), I am seeking any expressions of interest from parents/carers who wish to be on the Parents’ and Friends’ Executive Committee. Please email me at principal@spc.nsw.edu.au.

Year Coordinator Appointments For 2024

It was wonderful to receive expressions of interest from so many teachers on staff who are keen to develop with leadership in the student management/wellbeing domain. I thank the panels that assisted in discerning the best fit in the roles for 2024.

The successful applicants are:

Mr Stephen Cooper (Year 5 Coordinator): After 10 years with Edmund Rice Camps, Stephen turned to primary teaching and taught for four years in Stage 3 at St Michael’s Catholic Primary School Meadowbank. Commencing at SPC in 2019 as a Year 5 classroom teacher, he has taken on the role of Junior School Justice Coordinator and travelled on immersions to Alice Springs and Papua New Guinea with Year 11 students. Over the past 18 months, Stephen has been in the role of Acting Religious Education Coordinator (REC) for Junior School. He is a passionate educator who lives out the Edmund Rice charism each day.
Ms Maria Capobianco (Year 6): Maria is an experienced middle leader who has taught Italian, French and English in four schools over the past 11 years. She has been a Faculty Leader of Languages for eight years in two schools, three years at Oakhill College and five years here at SPC. Maria has been teaching Italian at SPC from Years 5 to 12 during her tenure here and loves lighting the fire of learning in Stage 3. She has also led three study tours to Italy and is well acquainted with the demands of child safeguarding. At the end of the year, Maria also completes her study in a Masters in Educational Leadership.
Mr James Biviano (Secondary YC): An experienced teacher of PDHPE, James has been an Acting Year Coordinator for a little over two years and has successfully led and inspired his cohorts. Having previous experience in wellbeing roles, such as the Boy’s Advisor (Sydney Secondary College, Leichhardt, 2019), as well as Year 10 Coordinator (St Patrick’s College, Term 4, 2021) and Year 7 and 8 Coordinator (St Patrick’s College, 2022-2023) he has been able to support and guide male adolescents throughout their secondary schooling life. This is evident through the organisation and implementation of Year 8 Cyber Safety Day as well as managing difficult relationships online.
Mr Jordan Bottalico (Secondary YC): Jordan has worked in Youth Ministry and Wellbeing since 2012 with the De La Salle Brothers. He commenced teaching at SPC in 2019 and has taught in the PDHPE, Religion and HSIE faculties building expertise in Stage 6 RE by teaching 1- and 2- unit SOR courses since beginning of his time here. Jordan has facilitated retreats for all Year Groups including Year 12 and is our Second XI Soccer Coach. He has been a Staff Pilgrim at World Youth Day and has been in the middle leadership position of Justice and Peace Coordinator since 2022. This term, Jordan is Acting Year Coordinator in Year 7 which holds him in good stead for a substantive position in 2024.

Staff News

This week, our new nurse, Sally Cott, commences her work with us and will be taking over the Health Centre. If you need to reach her, her email is healthcentre@spc.nsw.edu.au or her direct line is 8705 9254. Any updated medical plans or prescription details can be sent directly to her.

In Memoriam

We keep Mr Steve Fochesato and his wife Nikki in our prayers this week. He lost his beloved maternal grandmother last weekend. She lived to the amazing age of 104 and was much loved by all in her family and the Italian migrant community.
We keep the family of Mrs Kim Wright in our prayers who passed away recently. Mrs Wright is the much-loved mother of Old Boys Paul (’04 and College Captain), Luke (’06 and Prefect) and aunt to Old Boy Thomas Pooley (’14). Mrs Wright was the epitome of what makes the College community great – always ensuring the boys’ uniform was immaculate and volunteered at the school canteen for many years. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
A celebrity Cricket Match for Brain Cancer, in loving tribute to our own late Archer Gray, will be held at Pratten Park on 15 November. Details are below and this is another way that we can support this family in a positive initiative that aims to find a cure for brain cancer.

Any donations would be gratefully received at:

https://hostyourown.markhughesfoundation.com.au/page/Archie26-28199881.

Dr Vittoria Lavorato

Principal

SPC boys can do anything!

**except divide by zero

Wellbeing

End of Year Attendance