Term 2, Week 4, 2026

Straw Polls: Your Input Matters

Straw polls officially opened. While these are not your final subject selections, they are a vital part of our planning process. Your choices help us design next year’s subject lines and the master timetable and high participation ensure we create a structure that accommodates as many student preferences as possible. Students in the Exploration Phase have until Thursday next week to complete their poll.

Protecting our Students in a Digital World

As we navigate the middle school years together, we know that social media remains one of the most complex challenges for our Exploration Phase families. With the Social Media Minimum Age legislation (restricting access for those under 16) now firmly in place as of late 2025, we wanted to provide clarity on what this means for your child and how we can work together to support their mental health.

Understanding the 16+ Legislation

The recent Australian laws represent a significant step in prioritising the wellbeing of our young people by mandating a minimum age of 16 for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. In doing so, the government has acknowledged what we observe in the classroom every day: that the social pressures and addictive algorithmic nature of these apps can be overwhelming for developing brains. For our Year 9 students (typically aged 14–15) and many of our Year 10s, this means they are now legally restricted from these platforms, providing us with a vital opportunity to refocus their energy on real-world connections and healthy emotional growth.

Why Monitoring Still Matters

While the law helps close the door on certain apps, it doesn't replace the need for parental guidance. In the Head of Wellbeing Role, we often see that the most successful digital outcomes happen when parents stay actively involved in their child's "digital backyard."

Active monitoring is a vital tool for:

• Preventing Sleep Deprivation: We notice a direct correlation between late-night phone use and decreased academic focus and emotional regulation in class.
• Nurturing Real-World Social Skills: High-schoolers are still learning to navigate conflict; digital monitoring helps ensure that minor schoolyard disagreements don't escalate into 24/7 online bullying.
• Guiding Content Choices: Even without social media, the internet remains vast. Helping students curate what they consume is essential for their self-esteem.

Practical Support: Google Family Link

We often recommend the Google Family Link app to our families as a collaborative way to manage technology. Rather than being a "spy" tool, it acts as a digital scaffold. With Family Link, you can:

• Set Healthy Boundaries: Establish a "Digital Bedtime" where the phone automatically locks, ensuring students get the rest their brains need.
• Review App Activity: See which apps are occupying your child's time, which can be a great conversation starter about balance.
• Manage Downloads: Ensure that new apps being installed are age-appropriate and safe.

Our Partnership

The goal of this legislation, and our goal here at school, is not to vilify technology, but to ensure our students have the maturity to handle it. We encourage you to use these new laws as a catalyst for a conversation at home about digital footprints and mental health.

If you have concerns about your child’s digital wellbeing or need support navigating these new changes, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Heads of Wellbeing. 

A Free Resource for You: Real Talk Parent Portal

As part of our commitment to supporting your family, we are pleased to remind you that you have free access to the Real Talk Parents portal. We know that parenting doesn't come with an instruction manual, especially when it comes to social media safety, and fostering healthy self-worth. This portal is a trusted, curated space filled with short videos, tech tips, and practical guides designed to help you navigate sensitive topics with clarity and confidence. Because our school partners with Real Talk Education, you can access these premium resources at no cost to you. 

Real Talk Parent Portal