Principal News

Dear Parents/Guardians

I ask all parents and guardians to please read the contents of an email I received yesterday afternoon from our regional manager Mr John Mills. I ask that you take particular notice of the content your child/ren are accessing through any social platforms. There is some very disturbing content available on some platforms currently.

Email message to primary & secondary school principals

ESAEFTY COMMISSION official statement for disturbing content on social media

Dear Colleagues

The eSafety Commissioner is are aware of distressing reports about a video of a suicide circulating social media platforms. eSafety has contacted social media companies about the reports and will continue working with them to monitor the situation.

Please refer to the advice below.

• We are encouraging people who encounter this content to report it to the social media platform they’ve seen it on, or to eSafety at www.esafety.gov.au/report/illegal-harmful-content.

• Please exercise discretion in any communication about this incident to students, parents, staff, and your communities. In particular, we would encourage your staff to avoid raising the issue with students who may not have heard or been exposed to this video. Drawing undue attention to the issue may cause unnecessary worry or distress and increase exposure.

• For staff in schools, we advise that they monitor those students who are more vulnerable and at-risk, and check in with them about their interactions on and offline. If a young person is presenting with signs of distress, schools should follow their own procedures for managing and supporting students at risk.

• If a life is in danger call Triple Zero (000) right now.

• Please encourage anyone who may be at risk or experiencing emotional distress, including worried family and friends, to contact one of the following services:

§  Kids Helpline. 1800 55 1800. Phone support is there all day, every day. Online support is open from 8am-midnight every day (AEST).

§  Suicide Callback Service. 1300 659 467. Phone support all day, every day, and follow-up calls.

§  eHeadspace. 1800 650 890. Open 9am-1am daily (AEST) - phone contact details attached.

§  Lifeline. 13 11 14. Phone support all day, every day. Online support 7pm-4am daily (AEST).

§  Beyondblue. 1300 22 4636. Phone support all day, every day. Online support 3pm-midnight every day.

Please stay safe.

Yours sincerely

Mark Tierney

Principal