From the P&F Association
Dear Parents and Friends
From the Father’s Day stalls, the Father’s Day Breakfast to the Primary Disco, it has been a whirlwind of events and gatherings these past few weeks. These events have allowed the Santa community to come together and enjoy these special occasions and festivities.
Father’s Day celebrations
The Father’s Day celebrations started with the Father’s Day Stall that was held on 1 and 2 September 2025. These stalls cannot happen without the extensive hours that goes on behind the scenes with the sub-committee, sourcing, ordering and then organsing for the gifts to be wrapped ready for the children. It is always so special to see these little children walking around the stall and really thinking about what their father, grandfather, uncle or father figure in their lives would want. It is very clear that we have some very determined children who know exactly what they want (or don’t want)!
The Father’s Day Breakfast was another successful event where we saw the community gather together at the breakfast either after or before attending Mass with their child. The breakfast would not have been possible without the support of the committee and team behind them. It is times like these that it reminds us that these events just do not happen magically (although at times we wish that was possible!), there is so much work that is undertaken and it is done by parents within our community who volunteer their time so generously to ensure that the end result of these events are a success.
Primary Disco – Back to the 80s
The Primary Disco was held on Friday 12 September, and what an incredible night it was! With over 450 people attending, the event was filled with music, dancing, food, and plenty of community spirit. It was great to see the children enjoy themselves, dancing the night away and then enjoying something to eat afterwards. The coffee cart was hit for all the parents and the children couldn’t eat their gelatos fast enough!
We could not have had the success of the night without the many parent volunteers who gave their time to support the night. A special acknowledgement goes to the parents who worked tirelessly on the BBQ and those parents who assisted with the disco entry, and to the six Year 10 students who generously volunteered their time to help supervise and support the evening.
A warm thank you to Mrs Stella Azzizian and Yvette Graniero for their support in coordinating and preparing for the evening; to all the support staff and teachers who attended and assisted on the night. We also thank to everyone else who contributed in ways big and small, your efforts were deeply appreciated.
Finally, the disco is not the same without our very own Giovanni Portelli, who volunteered his professional photography services to capture the night. The photos are available to view and download here:
We hope that the upcoming holidays allows the children and families to unwind and reset for what will be a very busy Term 4.
Warm regards
The P&F Association
Upcoming Events
SAVE THE DATE – Prep Catch up
SAVE THE DATE – Year 3 Catch Up
SAVE THE DATE – Year 5 Catch Up
SAVE THE DATE – YEAR 6 Celebration
Parent Education – Debra Brodowski
Understanding the impact of the digital world
Many of our young people are exposed daily to content that is emotionally intense, politically polarising and sometimes deeply dehumanising. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube can amplify extreme views and distressing images, often without context or balance.
One growing concern is doom scrolling, the habit of endlessly consuming negative news and content. This can lead to:
- heightened anxiety and fear
- a sense of hopelessness or helplessness
- emotional numbness or desensitisation
- difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
How to talk to your tween or teen about what they’re seeing
Start with curiosity: ask open, non-judgmental questions:
- ‘What’s something you saw online this week that made you think?’
- ‘Have you ever seen something that made you feel uncomfortable or confused?’
Help them think critically: teach them to ask:
- ‘Who made this post?’
- ‘Is this fact or opinion?’
- ‘Why might someone want me to feel this way?’
Encourage empathy and perspective: talk about how different people might experience the same issue differently. Help them understand that it’s okay to disagree respectfully and that compassion is a strength.
How do we support our young people through this time of intense, polarising information coming through social media?
Limit/prevent doom scrolling: encourage regular breaks from screens and help them set boundaries around when and how they consume news or social media.
Create safe spaces for conversation: let them know they can talk to you about anything, without fear of being shut down or judged.
Model calm and thoughtful engagement: share how you manage your own reactions to distressing news. Show that it’s okay to take a step back, reflect and choose how to respond.
Encourage offline activities: support hobbies, sports and social time that help them feel grounded and connected to real-life relationships.
Seek support when needed: if your young person seems overwhelmed, anxious or withdrawn, consider speaking with a school counsellor or psychologist. Early support can make a big difference.
Our tweens and teens are watching us closely. They’re learning not just from what we say, but from how we respond to the world around us. By staying connected, curious and compassionate, we can help them grow into thoughtful, resilient young people, even in uncertain times.