SCHOOL STUDENT BROADBAND INITIATIVE

To boost education opportunities and narrow the digital divide, the Australian Government has invested $8.8 million to provide up to 30,000 eligible families with no internet at home a free National Broadband Network (NBN) service until 31 December 2025. To check your eligibility, follow these simple steps.

• Contact the National Referral Centre, operated by Anglicare Victoria, on 1800 954 610 (Mon–Fri, 10am–6pm AEDT), www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet.
• The National Referral Centre team will help assess your eligibility for the SSBI, by checking several things including your residential address and current financial situation.
• If eligible, you will be issued a voucher which can be redeemed at any of the participating SSBI retail service providers. The National Referral Centre will also be available to assist with contacting your SSBI retail service provider of choice and providing follow-up support.

To be eligible, a family must:

• Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school.
• Have no active broadband service over the NBN network.
• Live in a premise where they can access a standard NBN service.
• Not have had an active NBN service during the previous 14 days.

Families can directly contact the National Referral Centre to have their eligibility assessed or be referred by a participating nominating organisation.

PAUL DILLON PARENT/CARER PRESENTATION

We are excited to offer an opportunity for parents and carers of students in years 10, 11 and 12 to engage in a valuable presentation by Paul Dillon from DARTA (Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia). Paul has been working in the area of drug education for almost 30 years and is regularly contracted by agencies and organisations across the country to provide updates on current drug trends. He continues to work with many school communities to ensure they have access to quality information and best practice drug education. This year Paul’s parent/carer presentation will be hosted by Nowra Anglican College and the details are as follows:  

Date: Thursday 19 September 2024

Location: Nowra Anglican College

Time: 6pm to 7pm 

Cost: Free

Paul's presentation will focus on 'teens, parties, alcohol and vapes: what do parents need to know?'. During adolescence, teens develop a biological need to be around friends and it is important to provide them with opportunities to socialise with their peers whenever possible. Using the most current data available this presentation will examine the use of alcohol and other drugs by school-based young people. Simple strategies will be provided to help ensure teens are able to interact with friends on a Saturday night and, at the same time, reduce the risk of underage drinking and the potential dangers associated with such behaviour. In addition, up-to-date information will be provided on vaping, particularly in relation to young people. It aims to empower parents with a positive message and assist them in having open and honest family discussions in this complex area.

We need to provide approximate numbers of parents attending the presentation to our hosts (Nowra Anglican College), therefore please register for the event via this link.

St John the Evangelist students from years 10 to 12 will also engage in presentations from Paul on Friday 20 September 2024.

BULLYING: IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS TO HAVE WITH YOUR CHILD

St John the Evangelist Catholic High School is participating in the Bullying No Way: National week of action – 12 to 16 August 2024.

By working collaboratively within our community, we can collectively help reduce bullying. Parents and carers play an important role in helping your child understand bullying, and know how to respond to it.

If your child tells you about things at school, or you observe something in public that involves conflict or bullying, take the opportunity to talk about what bullying is. You can learn more about what defines bullying at bullyingnoway.gov.au.

Questions you could ask:

• What do you think bullying is?
• Have you seen it? How did you feel?
• Have you ever felt scared at school because of bullying?
• As well as me, who are the other adults you would talk to when it comes to things like bullying?
• Have you or your friends left other kids out on purpose? Do you think that was bullying? Why or why not?
• Have you ever tried to help someone who is being bullied? What happened? What would you do if it happens again?

Remind your child that bullying is never okay and discuss how they can respond safely if they experience or witness it.

Encourage them to seek help from a trusted adult and keep seeking support if needed.

By promoting open communication, we empower children to stand up against bullying and create a safer environment where everyone can feel that they belong.

For more information, visit bullyingnoway.gov.au.

If you have concerns that your child is being bullied, please contact their PALS Teacher or Year Coordinator via the office on Ph: 4423 1666. If you believe the behaviour constitutes a crime, or is a serious incident of cyberbullying, please refer to the Bullying No Way website for information on how to report to other authorities and access wellbeing help.

Ms Sonia Diaz

Pastoral Care Coordinator