Term 4 Week 5

I hope you have all had a great weekend. It has been another busy and rewarding week at Como Secondary College.

This week’s highlight was undoubtedly our Technologies Exhibition on Tuesday evening, where families, staff and community members were treated to an impressive display of student talent. The array of delectable delights emerging from the kitchens — finger foods, pastries and desserts — ensured no one went home hungry.

The student work across all learning areas was equally outstanding. Our design pieces showcased creativity, skill and growing confidence, while the metalwork projects were a particular standout. The BBQ created for the event (along with the irresistible smells drifting across the courtyard!) was a wonderful example of practical craftsmanship. A huge congratulations to all staff and students involved, and thank you to our parents and community members who came along to support the event.

On Tuesday we gathered across the courtyards for our Remembrance Day reflection, pausing as a whole college to acknowledge the courage, sacrifice and service of those who have served our nation. It was a moment of respect and gratitude, and I thank both staff and students for approaching it with the solemnity it deserves.

The virtual tour filming took place and it was a beautiful day to showcase our college. It was also nice to hear our students talking to the cameraman, asking questions and sharing an insight into our school.

it was also great to see and hear that students read this update and are aware of the happenings around the place. A special shout-out to Mativa who not only reads this but is also one of the first to put his hand up to help around the place. 😛

New Social Media Laws – What Parents Need to Know

Without a doubt, one of the biggest scourges we see in schools that impacts social groups and students, is the inappropriate use of social media. Next month, the new Australian social media legislation comes into effect. These laws are designed to better protect children and young people online, and they introduce several important changes that will affect how students use social platforms.

Key changes include:

Stronger age verification requirements for social media accounts, meaning platforms must take active steps to ensure users under 16 have parental consent.
Greater responsibilities placed on platforms to remove harmful content quickly, including cyberbullying, abuse, and explicit material.
Tougher penalties for companies that fail to protect children from age-inappropriate or harmful content.
More transparent data practices, ensuring young people’s information is collected, stored and used more responsibly.

For families wanting more information or support, the eSafety Commissioner offers excellent resources, guides, and reporting tools:

🔗 www.esafety.gov.au

These laws won’t solve every challenge overnight, but they are a significant step in creating safer online spaces for our young people. As always, we ask parents to continue checking in with their children about their online behaviour, devices and profiles.

We were also presented with the schematic design brief for our upcoming major build. It was reassuring to see that the proposed footprint has been carefully considered and will preserve almost all of our natural environment, including our mature trees. Broader community consultation will begin soon as we move further into planning.

This Thursday marked the final day of the school year for our Year 11 General students, with their exams taking place next week. We wish each of them the very best — and we know many are very much looking forward to a well-earned break once their assessments are complete.

Friday was our School Development Day, where staff took a deep dive into student data and our operational plans. With new curriculums coming into effect, much of the day was dedicated to developing programs, assessments and strategies to support learning in 2026 and beyond. I thank all staff for their professionalism and dedication.

Valedictory – Celebrating the Class of 2025

This coming Friday we will gather at the Octagon Theatre for our Valedictory Evening, a night that holds special meaning for our school community. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the hard work, growth and resilience of our Year 12 students — and to reflect on the journey they have taken from eager Year 7s to young adults ready to step into the world.

Their journey has been shaped by friendships, challenges, achievements and countless moments of learning and amazing and cherished memories. For us at school its a celebration and for many parents and families, it’s a seminal moment and one that will be filled with mixed emotions. There will be lots of pride, many parents wondering and reflecting on how quickly their children have grown up and for students, a sense of celebration and relief but also some trepidation on what’s next.

We are proud of who they have become, and we look forward to celebrating their success together as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

Lastly, after a long week of interviews and elections, our Year 12 student leaders for 2026 have been finalised. Please join us in congratulating:

College Captains: