Year 7 & 8 Students Engage with "Verbal Combat" Anti-Bullying Program

Last Friday, our Year 7 and 8 students had the privilege of participating in Verbal Combat, an engaging and thought-provoking performance by Brainstorm Productions. The program uses dynamic storytelling to explore critical issues surrounding bullying and cyberbullying, equipping students with practical strategies to foster positive relationships and build resilience.

The performance shed light on several essential themes, including:

• Bullying and Cyberbullying – Highlighting the impact of hurtful words and actions, both online and offline, and the importance of empathy.
  
  
• Digital Citizenship – Encouraging students to use technology responsibly and respectfully.
  
  
• Legal Consequences – Raising awareness of how harmful online behavior can lead to serious legal implications.
  
  
• Social Media and Digital Reputation – Helping students understand how their online actions shape their digital footprint and reputation.
  
  
• Group Dynamics and Exclusion – Addressing the pain of being left out and the importance of inclusivity.
  
  
• Bystanders and Upstanders – Empowering students to take positive action when they witness bullying, both in-person and online.
  
  
• Privacy and Online Safety – Emphasising the value of safeguarding personal information in the digital world.

Through its relatable characters and impactful scenarios, Verbal Combat encouraged students to reflect on their role in creating a safe and supportive school community. They left the session equipped with tools to navigate social challenges, foster respectful relationships, and handle online interactions thoughtfully and safely.

At Mount Carmel Catholic College, we are committed to providing opportunities like these to nurture our students' understanding of important social issues and to promote a culture of respect and kindness.

School Holiday Activities

The upcoming school holidays are a fantastic opportunity for students to explore new interests, build skills, and have fun! We’ve curated a range of engaging activities for families to consider. Whether your child is into sports, arts, or community service, there’s something for everyone. Here are a few activities that have been shared with the College.

• NAIDOC week falls on the first week of school holidays 6–13 July Check out how your local community is celebrating here
• NSW Office of Sport – FREE Holiday Break Camps : NSW Office of Sport for more information on School Holiday Programs;
• Free Youth Basketball Program;
• Free JMC Academy Acting Workshop:
  • 12-15 year olds
  • 16-25 year olds
• Comedy Programs for Teens
  • 12-15 year olds
  • 16-25 year olds
• Free Stars within All abilities Dance Program for 12-25 year olds
• Free Tennis Program for 12-25 year olds

Swimming between the digital flags: helping young Australians navigate social media’s dangerous currents

The relationship between social media and children’s mental health is one of the most important conversations of our time. That's why, from mid-December, the Australian Government will require certain social media services to take steps to prevent under 16s from having accounts. 

This week, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant outlined how Australia plans to take this bold action forward, in a speech delivered at the National Press Club. 

Here's what parents need to know right now: 

1. It’s not a ban, it’s a delay. We’re giving kids more time to build digital skills and resilience before facing the pressures of social media. 
    
2. The responsibility lies with the platform. There are no penalties for children or parents—only for platforms that fail to take reasonable steps to prevent under 16s from having accounts. 
    
3. You’re not alone. eSafety offers trusted resources for parents and carers, educators, young people and kids. We’ve got the flags, the swimming lessons, and the safety tips to help you support your kids. And our protective powers in areas such as cyberbullying and image-based abuse will still be there to help if things go wrong.  

Australia is building a culture of online safety—just like we’ve done on our beaches. Because the internet, like the ocean, is not going away – and our kids are already dipping their toes in. To stay up to date on social media age restrictions, visit eSafety.gov.au.

Wishing Our College Community a Safe and Restful Holiday

As we approach the end of Term 2, we would like to wish all students and their families a safe, enjoyable, and well-deserved school holiday break. We hope this time allows for rest, reflection, and quality moments with loved ones.

A reminder that all students are expected to return in Term 3 (Monday 21 July) in full College winter uniform, adhering to the College’s grooming policy. This ensures we maintain the high standards and sense of pride that represent our school community.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for another productive term of learning and growth.

As part of our ongoing association with Elevate Education, next week’s Webinar has a focus on exam preparation. Please click on the link below to register for this presentation.