Deputy Principal

Week 2

It was great to see last week some of our Years 7 to 10 students using the back ovals at lunchtime. Young men running around on ovals is something I encourage, and it is good for their mental health. Lockdown was hard for everyone, and if your children are like mine then during lockdown, they may have had more time to be on their screens. Now that the lockdowns are over, it is important for all of us to recalibrate our lives and get a balance with respect to the amount of time we spend on screens. As adults, we must model and lead by example with how much time we spend on screens.

Technology is a powerful tool and having our children on screens is okay. However, good parenting means that we must place boundaries around how much time our children use their devices. Setting up clear guidelines in our homes is essential. Boundaries can be negotiated with our children. As parents/carers, we need to know the apps that are on our children’s phones. I know in my house that my children cannot get apps on their phones unless it is approved by me on my phone. We need to be mindful of what apps our children are using in terms of age restrictions and privacy settings. Too often these days children are literally ‘left to their own devices’. 

As we learn to live with COVID-19, I encourage all parents/carers to reassess the time their children spend on devices. Encourage them to go outside with friends. Get them involved in sport. I know my children play sport every weekend as my wife and I try to get the balance right in our own home. Getting the balance is not easy to do, however, it is certainly something that is worth persevering with to ensure the safety and mental health and well-being of our children and our children’s happiness.

Adrian Byrne

Deputy Principal