From the Director of Student Wellbeing 7-12

Teens and Screens: Supporting Digital Wellbeing in Years 7–9

This year, students in Years 7 to 9 will participate in the Black Dog Institute’s latest initiative, Teens and Screens, as part of the College’s Pastoral Care program. This evidence-based digital literacy program is informed by findings from the Black Dog Institute’s Future Proofing Study – Australia’s largest longitudinal study of adolescent mental health. Notably, our current Year 12 cohort has been involved in this study since 2021.

Teens and Screens is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to develop safe, balanced and healthy online habits. The program encourages critical thinking, self-awareness and responsible digital engagement.

To complement the student program, the Black Dog Institute has also released a suite of resources for parents and carers. These include:

  • Parent Webinar: Screen Time and Teen Mental Health: Insights & Tips for Parents – an informative session exploring the impact of screen use on adolescent wellbeing, along with practical strategies for supporting teens in the digital age.
  • Parent Strategies Guide: A practical resource outlining nine key strategies to help parents foster open communication, encourage healthy screen habits and guide their children in navigating the online world safely and responsibly.

Looking ahead, the Black Dog Institute is also developing a similar program tailored for students in Years 10 to 12, with plans for release in the near future.

We look forward to seeing the positive impact this initiative will have on our students’ digital wellbeing and overall mental health.

Nine strategies to help you support your teen in an online world

Australian Olympian Josh Katz Inspires Year 9 Students Through Olympics Unleashed

As part of the Olympics Unleashed program, Year 9 students were privileged to hear from Australian Olympian and Commonwealth Games medallist Josh Katz, who visited the College to share his journey in elite sport and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Josh, a Judoka who made history as Australia’s youngest male Judo Olympian at the Rio 2016 Games, has represented the nation on the world stage for nearly a decade. His career highlights include a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, multiple Oceania Championship titles and a silver medal at the 2023 Pan American-Oceania Judo Championships 

However, Josh’s path has not been without setbacks. After missing qualification for the Tokyo Olympics due to injury and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was forced to reassess his goals and mindset. His ability to bounce back, culminating in his qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics, offered Year 9 students a powerful message of resilience, perseverance and growth through adversity 

Josh’s story resonated strongly with the Year 9 cohort, encouraging students to reflect on how resilience can be applied not only in sport but also in their academic, co-curricular and personal pursuits. His visit served as a timely reminder that setbacks are part of the journey, and that with determination and support, they can be overcome.

Elise Whiley
Director of Student Wellbeing 7-12