Term 3, Week 8

Social Media changes are coming

From 10 December 2025, certain social media platforms will no longer be permitted to allow Australian children under the age of 16 to create or maintain an account.

Currently, most platforms set the minimum age at 13. However, this new measure is being introduced to provide young people with more time to develop key life skills before engaging with social media in an unrestricted way. The aim is to give children the space to strengthen their digital literacy, critical reasoning, impulse control, and resilience before navigating these online environments.

While this change may be directed more towards our senior students, we believe it is important that our entire community is aware. At St Stephen’s School, we take the impact of social media platforms and children’s involvement with technology very seriously. Technology can and should be used for good, but children need the guidance of both school and home to help them navigate this complex world safely and positively.

We encourage parents and carers to remain engaged in conversations with their children about their online activity and to reinforce healthy, balanced approaches to technology. Together, we can model and nurture the values that will allow our students to thrive, both online and offline.

We’ve included some useful links below that you may find helpful as you explore this topic further.

Message from the eSafety Commissioner

https://vimeo.com/1095511410?utm_campaign=2506_eSafety_news_welcome_3&utm_id=3194909cfaf418a9852b592952b7754e&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eSafety_edm

Social Media Age Restrictions

https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions/faqs

Thank you for joining us in guiding and equipping our young people as they navigate the digital world.

Madame Pilote Mrs Langley Mr Andrews

Reminder – Term 4 Summer Uniform

As Term 4 is fast approaching, a reminder that students will be required to wear their Summer School Uniform from the very start of next term. If you need to purchase any additional uniform items, please visit our Uniform Shop during the following opening hours:

Wednesdays: 12:30pm – 4.00pm
Thursdays: 8:00am – 11.30am

Thank you for ensuring our students are ready for the start of the new term.

Icy Pole sales are back!

We’ve all been eagerly waiting for the warmer weather, and that means it’s time for icy poles again! Starting this Friday, our Captains will be visiting classrooms during Recess to sell icy poles for $1 each.

All proceeds will go towards supporting charity.

WEEK 7 Running Club House Points : (drum roll please…)

Congratulations to MAKARIA for running the most laps in Week 7!

100 LAPS RUNNING CLUB

Congratulations to Kristian Bartels (year 4) for completing 600 laps on his running club card! Well done

THANK YOU!

Our Vietnam Tour students would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported last week’s sausage sizzle. Together, we raised close to $700!

These funds will go directly toward helping communities in need while our students serve in Vietnam early next year. Students are so grateful for your generosity and encouragement as they prepare for this life-changing experience.