Recently our Year 7 community came together for an important evening focused on supporting young people to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

The evening began with a presentation from cyber safety expert Susan McLean, who spoke with parents and students about the realities of growing up in a highly connected world. Drawing on the themes from her work on digital wellbeing and online behaviour, the session highlighted the potential risks associated with social media, online gaming and device use, while also providing practical strategies families can use to keep young people safe online. Parents and students left the session with clear takeaways around digital responsibility, managing online interactions, and understanding that the choices we make online can have long-lasting consequences.

The second half of the evening provided families with the opportunity to visit their child’s homeroom and meet their homeroom teacher. Conversations centred around key processes at the College, expectations for the year ahead, and upcoming experiences such as the Year 7 camp. It was also a valuable opportunity for parents to ask questions and connect with the teacher supporting their child each day. Some students even took the chance to proudly show their parents their lockers… although opinions differed on just how “tidy” they were!

This focus on respectful relationships and responsible online behaviour continued in our first Ignite session for the year. During this program, students explored what bullying is, the different forms it can take, including cyberbullying and the important role of bystanders becoming upstanders. Students discussed how online behaviour can affect others, reflected on their digital footprint, and considered the responsibilities that come with using social media and technology.

As part of the session, students created anti-bullying posters to communicate positive messages about respect, kindness and standing up for others. Each homeroom selected one finalist to represent their class in a Year 7 competition.

On Thursday, students visited the College Library to vote for the overall winner from the eleven homeroom finalists. During Communal Homeroom on Tuesday 10 March, the winning poster was announced.

Congratulations to Ally Salvatore (7BA), whose poster was selected by the Year 7 cohort as the overall winner. Ally received a $20 canteen voucher, and we thank all students who participated and contributed thoughtful and creative messages about building a respectful school community.

Together, these experiences continue to reinforce the golden rule for our students: the way we treat others, both online and offline, matters.

“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12