Friday was a fantastic day as our College community celebrated the start of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The Green and Gold mufti-day fundraiser brought everyone together, with students and staff showing their support for our athletes by wearing our supporter colours. 

The fundraiser was a success, with all funds going to our Compassion children. 

We encourage everyone in our College community to watch and support our athletes. Let's cheer them on throughout the coming weeks and celebrate their achievements on the world stage. 

In this digital age, while mobile phones have become an integral part of our lives, it is crucial to understand the potential consequences they can have on our teenagers' well-being and academic performance. Recent research has highlighted that excessive phone use can have several negative effects on teenagers. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Distraction: Phones can be a major distraction during College hours, affecting students' ability to focus and engage in their studies. It is important for students to prioritise their education and limit phone use during this time.

2. Social Interaction: Over-reliance on phones can hinder face-to-face social interactions. It is essential for teenagers to develop strong interpersonal skills and maintain healthy relationships with their peers.

3. Mental Health: Excessive phone use has been linked to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality among teenagers. Encouraging healthy phone habits can contribute to better mental well-being.

4. Academic Performance: Spending excessive time on phones can lead to decreased productivity and hinder academic performance. It is crucial for students to find a balance between phone use and their studies.

Students were reminded this week of the importance of using their phone pouches or having their phones turned off and out of sight during College hours. It is important for students to adhere to these guidelines and understand the consequences of not doing so. This is in line with the NSW Government phone policy implemented late last year for high schools that aimed to increase focus and learning in classrooms, remove distractions, and promote positive social interactions. We have also been providing resources and information on the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between phone use and other activities e.g. setting designated phone-free times, encouraging alternative forms of entertainment and relaxation, and using the phone pouch to cut down on distractions or notifications during study.

As a College community, we can work together on this to promote responsible phone use among our students. We want to empower students to use technology effectively and responsibly. Using their phone pouch is a temporary tool to help students build the necessary skills and habits for successful engagement with powerful tools like smart phones. Our hope is that we can help our students use their devices in ways that enhance, rather than hinder, their learning and well-being, developing the self-regulation and critical thinking essential for becoming responsible digital citizens. Please support your child by discussing the policy with them and reminding them of their responsibility to follow it.

If you have any questions or want more information regarding the wellbeing program for this term feel free to contact your child’s year advisor.

Dr Anna Nalla
Director of Student Wellbeing - Senior School 

Max in Year 9
 

Max V (Year 9) had a very busy and exciting break attending the U16 National Basketball Championships that took place from the 5th-15th of July in Bendigo. 

Max was in the NSW team and despite the fierce competition, they managed to come away 2nd in the country and win a silver medal which was the best outcome NSW have had in over 10 years!

We congratulate Max on this incredible achievement and wish him all the best as he continues his training with the NSW Squad.

Vansh in Year 9
 

Vansh M (Year 9) competed in the International Sport Karate and Kickboxing Association (ISKA) World Championship in Orlando, Florida walking away with 4 Championships and 2 Bronze. 

This year he also won the The Night Of Victory Championship at the ISKA US Open, making him the first Australian to win the ISKA World Grand Championship. 

Congratulations Vansh on your achievements at the ISKA Championships. 

Has your child recently competed in a representative level?
We would love to share these results with our community. Please let us know via email [email protected]