Semester 2 Exams

Our Year 10 and 11 students have now begun their Semester 2 exams, and our Years 7-9 students will begin preparing for their own exams soon. This is a time for students to be attentive to developing their revision strategies and time management practices. All students are encouraged to be confident and positive in their self-talk in the lead up to their exams, and to see the experience as an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, and to become familiar with the exam process.

Step Up

Following their Semester 2 exam period, our Year 10 and 11 students will begin their Step Up Program. The Step Up program will run from Friday 21 November -Thursday 4 December, during which time Year 10 and 11 students will participate in a full cycle of their 2026 timetable. Within their Step Up lessons, students will complete introductory work for their 2026 courses, and be provided with homework tasks for completing over the summer holidays. This is an exciting time, and a chance to be looking forward at what the new school year will bring.

Academic and Special Awards Assembly

All students in Years 7-11 will gather together on Thursday 27 November to celebrate our Academic and Special Awards Assembly. This occasion will be a time to congratulate and commend those students who have accomplished outstanding academic achievements throughout the school year, and will feature the announcement of the Dux and Dux Proximus for each Year Level. This special assembly will also feature an array of special awards, which celebrate the rich diversity of student life and achievement at the college. Families of students receiving an award at this assembly will be notified prior to the event.

Supporting Our Students Learning Through the Social Media Delay - Tina Fattori, Library Teacher

As you may know, the Australian Government has announced a significant change regarding young people and social media. Sacred Heart College is being proactive with this transition to ensure a safe and engaging learning environment for all students. The library team aims to ensure access to safe, high-quality digital learning content that directly supports the curriculum. We’ll be supporting staff and students in using ClickView and World Book Online which provide curated educational video content, as well as seeking out additional learning resources.

Why is this Social Media Delay Happening?

The government has mandated that, from 10 December 2025, children under 16 will be prevented from creating or maintaining accounts on major social media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and X.

This decision is driven by a commitment to protect young people from:

• Harmful or unsafe content that is often easily accessible.

• Addictive algorithms designed to maximize screen time.

• Negative mental health impacts including anxiety, sleep disruption, and issues with self-esteem.

What Does This Mean at Sacred Heart College?

This legislative change requires adjustments to how digital resources are used in the classroom:

• Platform access: Your child may no longer be able to access platforms they currently use during school hours.

• Teacher adaptation: Our teachers are already adapting lessons that previously relied on YouTube or similar platforms for video content.

• Safe alternatives: Sacred Heart College is introducing and utilising safe, curriculum-aligned alternatives to ensure that high-quality digital resources continue to support learning without the risks associated with general social media.

How This Will Affect Your Child

We anticipate several positive impacts from this transition:

• Increased focus: reduced distractions should lead to more concentration in class and deeper learning.

• Better protection: students will have stronger protection from exposure to unsafe content and algorithmic manipulation while at school.

While there may be a transition period as teachers finalise shifts in lesson plans, we are working proactively to ensure minimal disruption. The library team remains committed to ensuring that students have access to a range of reliable, authoritative learning resources and will support teachers through this transition.

At home, parents still play a key role: while platforms will be required to prevent under-16s from maintaining accounts from December 10, 2025, we encourage you to reinforce healthy digital habits and open communication about online life.

Tips for Parents from eSafety Guidance

We encourage you to use this period as an opportunity to review and model healthy digital boundaries at home. The eSafety Commissioner offers these key tips:

• Talk Early, Talk Often: Ask your child how they feel about these upcoming changes and their online activities in general.

• Model Positive Use: Show balance and intention in your own device habits. Your children watch what you do!

• Offer Safe Alternatives: Encourage educational platforms, hobbies, reading, and family activities that do not involve social media.

• Set Clear Boundaries: Agree on specific times and places (like no devices at the dinner table or in bedrooms after a certain time) for device use.

• Watch for Wellbeing Signals: be alert to changes in your child’s sleep patterns, mood, or social withdrawal, as these can be signs of underlying issues.

More information for parents can be found at: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents