Principal

Whilst we have one more week before the break this will be our last Newsletter for Term 2. Therefore, I wish everyone a safe and restful time during that time.

Cyber Safety

Yesterday our Years 7 to 10 students, staff and in the evening parents, heard from Brett Lee from Internet Safe Education. Brett is a former police officer and had worked with international law agencies in the area of cyber safety. So his presentations were informed by his professional work and his experience in working with schools and other institutions over the last 14 years. 

The presentation to each group had different focus topics and encourage every family to have a conversation with their children about what they saw and heard. The presentation also had some common elements. At the beginning of the student presentations Brett made the following things clear to them:

• The online space is public and permanent
• My identity is paramount
• Online contacts remain strangers
• Online rules and laws are real
• I take action when things go wrong online

When talking to parents Brett covered a number of topics including screen time, games and apps that young people use, what can be done if your child is being cyber bullied as well as common risks, but his key messages were for parents, carers and guardians:

• Set clear rules and boundaries
• You make the final decisions
• Use management controls
• Stay up to date with their usage
• Communicate with your kids.

If anything, that last message was overarching theme of all the presentations. The best support we can give our young people is to engage in conversations with them about what they are doing and letting them know you are always there to help them.

If you want more information about how you can support your children and indeed yourself to be safe on the internet you can check the resources on his website – https://internetsafeeducation.com/– and he strongly recommended families look at the services and resources at website of the Safety Commissioner - https://www.esafety.gov.au/ 

Year 8 Camp

Last week our Year 8 students attended their camp at Waratah Beach Camp. I visited the students after their first day and they were in great spirits after a busy day of activities. Speaking with students and staff after their return that it was clear they had a great experience learning new skills and deepening connections.

Thank you to Chris Spencer and all the staff involved with their organisation and care to ensure the camp was a success.

Year 12 Retreat

Next week our Year 12s will participate in their retreat. This is an important time for the Year 12s to gather and reflect on their lives to date and their futures.

Thank you in advance to all the staff who will be supporting the program, and in particular John Ryan on the great work he has undertaken preparing, organising, and leading this important event.

Year 10 Work Experience

Best of luck to all our Year 10 students heading off to work experience next week. A big thank you to the businesses that are supporting and hosting our students for the week. Thank you to Ken Myors and Jenny Damon who have done a lot of work in the background preparing our students and all the paperwork for their work experience! 

Year 7 2023 Enrolments

The due date for enrolments was 31 May 2022 for Year 7 2023. If you are yet to make a formal application we will are still accepting applications, but please note as a matter of justice, priority will be given to those who have submitted their applications on time. 

Free Influenza Vaccinations for all Victorians 

I bring the following to your attention:

• The Victorian Government is providing free influenza (flu) vaccinations for all Victorians aged six months and over from Wednesday 1 June 2022. 
• Over 3,000 General Practice Clinics (GPs) and community pharmacies across Victoria will offer free flu vaccinations until Saturday 30 June 2022. 
• Cases of influenza in Victoria have increased by more than 30 per cent in the past week, increasing from 10,000 to 15,000, after two years of COVID-19 and reduced international travel led to limited immunity to the common winter virus. 
• Symptoms of the flu may include, but are not limited to fever, dry chesty cough, headache, tiredness, chills, aching muscles, limb and joint pain, diarrhoea or upset stomach, sore throat, runny or blocked nose, sneezing and/or loss of appetite. 
• Anyone with flu-like symptoms, however mild, should not attend schools and should follow medical advice, including being tested for COVID-19 and complying with isolation requirements. For a COVID-19 and Influenza symptom checker, please visit the Australian Government’s Department of Health healthdirect website.

Sapientia Domini Docet Nos

John M Freeman