It is interesting listening to the discussion around appropriate ages for children to be accessing social media. We know whilst there are huge benefits to the use of technology, that there are associated issues where students are impacted. According to Stephanie Smail (ABC), Australian social media users should check their privacy settings as organisations such as Meta are using public posts and photos to train their AI products and they have been collecting this information since 2007.
We know the Australian Government is also committed to having an age limit on social media. They are looking at implementing this for children aged 14-16 years old. There appears to be strong support for this amongst the experts in this field.
Dr Justin Coulson was reported on A Current Affair saying, “The problem is not enough education is happening, too many parents are aborgating their responsibility around this and too many kids are simply doing whatever they want”. He also said it is important that we educate our young people to make safe and healthy decisions.
Associate Professor Tauel Harper is from the School of Media and Communication at Murdoch University and has stated, “There is plenty of evidence that excessive social media use has negative effects on mental health, body image, socialisation and sleep patterns".
Kira Prendergast, who has established Safe on Social, recently spoke of girls using apps that have significant concern. If you have an older child, you may also want to read some of their material.
When was the last time you had a conversation or check around what your child is accessing?
We recently sent some staff to the MACS eSafety Summit. Once again, we are working towards being as up to date and skilled as we can be in this space.
The eSafety Commissioner is taking a strong stance in this space and has many valuable resources for parents. I strongly encourage you to access this site to see how you can improve your skills to support your child. The link here eSafetyCommissioner will take you straight to the website. They also have a parent newsletter you can subscribe to.
There is also an eSafety Guide where you can check the apps your child is using. The link is here eSafety Guide.
We are pleased to continue to support and pay for MSJ to continue to access the Sustainable School Shop, where uniforms and textbooks are available second hand. The data we have show that from July 2023 to June 2024 we had 327 families use the service. We had 2066 items listed, 1032 items traded and 478 items still available at that time.
We again remind you that parents and guardians must not stop and drop their child/ren off at the front of the school in bus zones, across driveways and in No Standing zones. The Hobsons Bay Council are monitoring the areas at the front of the school and will be issuing fines. More importantly, student safety is being compromised.
MSJ has 20 students from Year 9 (including our Junior House Leaders) who will be completing a 100km challenge for the Go Girls Foundation. The girls are raising money for the foundation between now and the event on 17 October and would love for you to donate to team MSJ using the link below. On the event day, the students will be running/walking 50km per team of 10 during the day as a solidarity walk for women.
The Foundation supports women who have experienced domestic violence, social isolation and homelessness, by assisting them to become work ready and financially independent.
On 12 September at lunchtime, we celebrated R U Ok? Any Day.
R U Ok? Any Day is aimed at encouraging everyone to have conversations with one another to check in and make sure people can have a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen.
They handed out yellow wrist bands and donuts at lunchtime and gave help to prompt conversations.
There was an opportunity to sign a canvas that we will put up in the school to signify MSJ's commitment to asking R U OK?
I hope students and families are all taking some time to recalibrate over the school holidays. We look forward to finishing the year. All students are asked to check the uniform over the holidays to ensure Term 4 starts well.
Stacey Bourke - Deputy Principal, Student Wellbeing
