The Sydney Morning Herald recently featured an article (16/11/2024) about Waverley College embarking on an innovative technology-free experiment. For one week, every lesson across Years 5–12 was conducted without laptops or digital devices. Instead, students relied on hard copy textbooks, writing paper, pens, and photocopied notes.

By the end of the experiment, teachers reported that students were noticeably more engaged and focused. Inspired by this success, the school is now considering implementing tech-free periods each week.

This experiment aligns with findings from the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which highlighted the following key insights about digital device usage in schools:

• Excessive use of digital devices for leisure in classrooms negatively impacts academic performance.
• 58% of students in France reported being distracted by digital devices during at least some maths lessons.
• 59% of students across the OECD said their attention was diverted by peers using phones, tablets, or laptops in at least some maths lessons.
• Students distracted by peers using digital devices during maths lessons scored significantly lower in maths tests.
• Even in schools with phone bans, 29% of students reported using smartphones several times a day, and 21% used them almost daily.
• 43% of French students reported feeling nervous or anxious when separated from their phones.
• While digital technology offers educational opportunities, it also presents risks, including cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and privacy concerns.
• Positive literacy outcomes are associated with children using screens with family members, while negative outcomes arise when screens are used alone.
• Policies like smartphone bans can reduce distractions, but effective enforcement and additional strategies are essential to maintain focus in classrooms.
• Equitable access to digital tools, coupled with age-appropriate support and supervision, remains crucial for modern education.

(Source: OECD, 2024, “Students, Digital Devices and Success”)

Meanwhile, Pymble Ladies’ College is introducing “Wise Phones” to regulate students’ access to digital technologies. From Years 4 to 5, these devices allow only calls and texts. In Years 5 to 7, students can access a camera and selected apps, such as payment and learning tools. By Years 8 and 9, features like chat groups, Spotify, and Bluetooth are added, with full functionality restored by Year 10 (SMH, 18/11/2024).

At Thomas Hassall Anglican College, where mobile phones are banned during the school day, students are required to store phones in secure pouches. The Senior School operates a BYO laptop program, where teachers determine device use based on lesson plans. Digital textbooks also play an essential role, providing resources students can access as needed.

Some schools are exploring alternatives like school-issued laptop banks, which provide controlled access to devices when necessary.

At our school, we strive for a balanced approach. However, I am concerned about students relying solely on laptops for notetaking. I regularly remind students of the cognitive benefits of handwriting. Research supports this:

“Handwriting requires fine motor control and forces students to focus on their actions. Typing involves mechanical, repetitive movements that prioritize speed over awareness. Our findings reveal that handwriting activates more complex neural connectivity, stimulating the brain in ways that typing does not.” (Source: Frontiers in Psychology, 26 January 2024)

Finding the right balance between leveraging technology and preserving traditional learning methods remains a critical challenge in education today.

You’re invited to come along to our special Gingerbread Workshop event to celebrate Christmas.

We will be running two sessions on Wednesday 11 December: 10am or 5pm
The sessions will take place in Mrs Riitano's Kitchen. 

The cost is $40 per gingerbread kit which includes everything you need to decorate. There are original, chocolate and gluten free kits available. All are nut free.

Bookings are essential by 3pm Wednesday 27 November. Please visit www.thac.nsw.edu.au/book.

Please note students must be supervised by parents or guardians at these events.

We look forward to seeing you there!

This term, our Year 7 and 8 students embraced one of our College’s graduate aims, Compassion, through Anglicare's Toys 'n' Tucker project. As part of their Wellbeing lessons, students have been learning about compassion and exploring ways to respond to the needs of others in our community, particularly during the Christmas season.

A highlight of the term was a visit from an Anglicare guest speaker, Ruby, who inspired students to think deeply about the impact of their generosity and encouraged them to take action. This week, groups of students from Year 7 and Year 8 have been busy packing the generous donations from College families into 25 boxes. On Friday, 22nd November, these boxes were collected by the Anglicare truck and will soon be transformed into hampers for families in need, spreading joy and hope during the festive season.

For more than 20 years, Anglicare Sydney’s Toys 'n' Tucker program has provided churches, schools, businesses, and community groups with a way to share the joy of Christmas and demonstrate God’s love by supplying food and gifts for those who would otherwise go without.

Through this project, students have learned about the challenges faced by many in our community, including the following:

• On any given day in Australia, more than half a million households struggle to put food on the table.
• Over 763,000 households in NSW and the ACT experienced hunger in the past 12 months due to a lack of funds.
• More than half of food-insecure households in NSW and the ACT (54%) had someone in paid work.
• 27% of households with mortgages in NSW and the ACT experienced food insecurity in the past year.
• The rising cost of living is the most common reason Australians struggle to afford food.
• Christmas is especially challenging for families in need, as many face additional pressure to provide gifts and special meals for their loved ones.

Thank you to all the families who donated so generously and to our Pastoral Care teachers for supporting and guiding the students throughout this initiative.

Please pray for those in our community who are in need, and that these gifts will help families doing it tough this Christmas.

Mr Samuel Mills & Mrs Roslyn Rodrigues
Year 7 Advisors

This week, we have been recognizing the spirit of sportsmanship within our school community. We would like to acknowledge the sporting achievements of the students listed below: 

Nikola R

This year Nikola was selected to play for the Australian National Futsal Team as Goalkeeper, the NSW Team played all Australian State Teams throughout the 2024 Season. 

Nikola is currently in Malaysia as he was selection to represent Australia in the Futsal International Tournament as lead goalkeeper. This is not the first time Nikola has been selected to travel international, in 2023 he traveled to Holland with the Australian Cityroos Football Club. 

Zen K

In May, Zen participated in the Taekwondo State Championship where he walked away with the Silver award. He then moved onto the National Selection in August where he placed third with the Bronze award. 

Dakota J

In August, Dakota attended the Senior Swimming State Championships. She swam in both short course and long course for the Freestyle and Butterfly events of 50m and 100m in her age group. 

Antonio B

In October, Antonio was the winner in the ISKA State Championship he is now off to the ISKA Australian Championship in December where he will represent NSW. 

Antonio is ranked number one within the ISKA in Australia for multiple categories including clash sparring, sumo wrestling and sword fighting. 

Mia K

In 2024 Mia has been involved in two figure skating competitions. In June she attended the Hollins Trophy at the Liverpool Catholic Club Ice Skating Rink followed by the NSW State Championships in October. 

Ayenka K

Ayenka attended the State Championships for Gymnastics where is placed Silver in the Beam event. This Month she will participate in another Championship.