Wellbeing
2023 Lenten Dances
Parents/carers are advised that the annual Lenten Dances will be held at the College Hall (Times: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM) on the following dates:
- Year 7 - Wednesday 29 March
- Year 8 - Thursday 30 March
- Years 9 and 10 - Friday 31 March.
We are once again utilising the Humanitix platform for online ticket sales. Ticket cost is $25.
Parents/carers of boys in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 respectively will be emailed a letter tomorrow containing details of expectations and instructions on how to use the access code, enabling them to purchase one ticket.
The ticket sales window will open at 9:00 AM on Friday 17 March and close at 9:00 PM on Monday 20 March.
Once we reach venue capacity, no more tickets will be sold due to our duty of care and the College’s WHS requirements.
The dances are held this year as part of the fundraising for our Lenten Partner, the Edmund Rice Foundation - The Ruben Centre, Kenya and other projects in Africa supported by ERFA, as well as St Joseph’s Flexible Learning Centre, Alice Springs and Callan Services (Disability Services), Papua New Guinea.
‘Relationships, Safety and Bullying’ Surveys
Please note planning is underway for students, parents, carers and staff to have the opportunity to participate in this survey in Week 9. An email will be sent to members of the College community providing a link that will allow access to the survey, which will take approximately five to ten minutes to complete.
Students will be given the opportunity in their survey to anonymously report occasions of bullying during 2023.
Similar surveys have been conducted in past years, providing the opportunity for longitudinal comparisons. The data provided in the responses from students, parents, carers and staff will be extremely useful in providing further evidence to affirm current practices while also giving feedback on how the College can develop in the areas identified within the survey. The data will be disseminated to members of the College Community in Term 2.
Cybersafety
One of the greatest challenges as a parent/carer is navigating through the jungle that is purchasing a mobile device and then allowing our children to have social media apps and platforms (I have two teenage children who spend plenty of time on their phones).
Some feedback and advice to common questions asked by parents and carers:
Q: Any tips for when kids should start using Facebook, Instagram, etc?
A: The minimum age recommendation is 13 years, but kids don’t miraculously mature overnight when they turn 13…so make a judgment based on their maturity, anxiety etc. Remember you will have no control over what they may be exposed to!
Q: Is confronting parents/carers of kids that show terrible behaviour ok?
A: No, I would advise against it unless you know them really well. Flag it with the school if the child is at the same school as yours; it can often be a cry for help from the child acting up. Make sure your child does not retaliate in any way and blocks them.
Q: Will the police keep any report confidential in terms of naming who reported it?
A: Absolutely – you can report anonymously through Crimestoppers.
Q: Any thoughts on Apple vs Android devices from a security perspective? I've heard Android is better for parental control?
A: They are both very similar. It’s a personal preference.
Q: Are Among Us and Minecraft safe games to use? They have chat, but it seems pretty anonymous, and I don’t think they can’t send photos, etc.?
A: Depends on the age of the child and the version of Minecraft you are using. Among Us is fairly public so way riskier. You can turn the chat function off. Make sure you have a chat with them if they are younger to speak up if anyone ever asks them to be their boyfriend/girlfriend or tries to move them to another platform ie Roblox to Tik Tok.
Q: Once kids are 14 years and haven’t had restrictions – how can we then introduce them now? 😢
A: Remember that you are the parent/carer. Your house, your rules. If you are paying the Wi-Fi bill or their phone bill you get to call it. Easy when they are 14 rather than 16 years old.
Q: A photo was taken of my 13 year old then airdropped to a number of people then it was shared (by the girl who took the photo) to a Snapchat group. My daughter was so traumatised. What recourse do I have?
A: If this was at school, this is cyberbullying and should be reported to the Principal in the first instance to make sure the bullying is not also happening in the playground. Kids need to know to always ask someone’s permission before they take their photo.
Q: How risky do you feel Snapchat is?
A: All apps are risky if the user doesn’t know how to use them safely. It depends on the age of the child and making sure that you have our top ten safety tips in place to start!
Robert Simpson
Director of Wellbeing