We couldn’t be prouder of the Year 12 students as their 6 year journey of secondary school finished as they graduated on Friday with a Mass and Graduation ceremony that the students and families in attendance will remember for years to come. The students remained focused, maximised opportunities to get feedback and respectfully celebrated their achievements at MSJ.
In the words of St. Mary Mackillop “Remember we are all but travellers here”. Her words remind us that as pilgrims on this path, we are called to walk with humility, compassion, and trust in God’s providence. This perspective encourages us to live purposefully.
The changes to social media are in response to increased risks associated with the early use of accessing social media accounts. The government is committed to allowing young people more time to improve their digital literacy and helping students stay safe online. The date is fast approaching and some students are getting nervous about how the ban will impact them. Our best advice is to plan for it. The platforms will not ask for birthdays anymore but will estimate age using children’s faces and estimate age. They will also estimate age based on what people access and will ask for students to prove their age. Accounts will either be deleted or de-activated.
What can parents/guardians, carers and students do to prepare for this?
Start the conversations around the why and we encourage students to start moving their content off the platforms to ensure the material is saved. It is imperative that students are aware of their rights and responsibilities in this space.
Parents, guardians and carers are reminded that it is dangerous to drop students off at the front of the school in the mornings as there are only bus zones and a disabled parking spot. Cars come around the bend at a fast rate and with buses pulling up, students are being placed at an increased risk of being injured. Also students are crossing Maidstone street near the Railway crossing and we ask that students are reminded about crossing at the supervised school crossing at the front of the school.
The school uniform must be worn consistently across the year. Currently we ask parents, guardians and carers to be checking the following:
Lockers: Should have their phone in the locker and be locked and kept neat and tidy.
Once again thanks to all students within the community that continue to meet the expectations across the board.
Stacey Bourke
Deputy Principal - Student Wellbeing
Aradhya and I were interviewed about the upcoming Australian internet ban for under 16’s. We were interviewed by a Japanese journalist, thank you for being such a beautiful interviewer and such an enjoyable person to discuss with. We found this conversation to be so freeing and enjoyable. Sharing our opinions and concerns about social media helped us understand how other people perceive social media, and take it as a networking tool itself.
This interview was such an eye-opening experience for both myself and Taysha. It really made us think deeply about how much social media shapes our daily lives, especially for younger people. We shared our thoughts on how banning social media might protect mental health, but also how it could limit creativity and connection for many teenagers. Talking about this with the journalist reminded us that technology isn’t just good or bad — it depends on how we use it. We also really enjoyed learning how people from Japan view this issue, and it gave us a new perspective on global discussions about online safety. This experience encouraged us to be more mindful about how we use social media in our own lives. We feel really lucky to have been given this chance to share our voice in such an important conversation. It’s something we’ll definitely keep thinking about in the future!
Overall, we were so blessed to meet and learn from the journalist, and we were so honoured to be chosen to share our thoughts.
This experience has given Aradhya and I a lot to take away, and we are forever grateful.
Aradhya Sharma and Taysha Farrugia - Year 8
Over the last four weeks of their official classes, our Year 12 students were making the most of the Rise & Revise breakfast study sessions. These early morning gatherings were designed to help them prepare for their final exams in a supportive and relaxed environment. With egg & bacon rolls and coffee in hand, students revised together, asked questions and worked through practice problems alongside their teachers.
The sessions were a great success, with strong attendance and a positive buzz each morning. It was wonderful to see students taking initiative, collaborating with their peers and making the most of every opportunity to consolidate their learning.
A big thank you to the teachers who volunteered their time and energy to support our senior students, and to the Year 12's themselves for showing such commitment to their studies. The Rise & Revise program truly showcased the dedication and community spirit that define our school.
Natalie O'Brien - Learning Development Leader
