Year 7 & 8 Students Learn About Online Safety with Victoria Police
Year 7 and 8 students recently participated in the ThinkUKnow presentation delivered by members of the Victoria Police Proactive Unit. The session focused on helping students understand how to stay safe online and make positive choices when using social media, messaging apps and online games.
During the presentation, students learned about important topics including the risks of sharing personal information, the dangers of sending or receiving harmful sexual images, and how situations such as sextortion can occur online. Police officers explained how quickly online content can spread and why it’s important to think carefully before posting or sharing anything.
The presentation also highlighted practical strategies students can use to protect themselves, such as keeping accounts private, being cautious about who they interact with online, and knowing when to seek help. Students were reminded that if something online makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe, they should speak with a trusted adult, teacher, or parent.
Advice for Parents and Carers
Families play an important role in helping young people stay safe online. Parents and carers are encouraged to have regular, open conversations with their children about what they are doing online, the apps they are using, and who they are communicating with. Showing interest and creating a safe space for discussion can help young people feel more comfortable seeking help if something goes wrong.
It is also important to be aware that most social media platforms require users to be at least 16 years of age, meaning younger children should not have accounts. Parents can support their children by checking privacy settings, supervising online activity where appropriate, and reinforcing the message that personal information and images should never be shared with people they do not know or trust.
For more information about the Federal Online Media Restrictions for users under the age of 16, please visit the eSafety Commissioner's page
We thank Victoria Police for supporting our students to build the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.
Year 7 Students Experience ‘Verbal Combat’ Performance
Earlier in the Term, our Year 7 students enjoyed an engaging and thought-provoking performance by Brainstorm Theatre Company titled Verbal Combat. The live theatre presentation explored the challenges young people face in today’s digital world, where social media algorithms, AI and online influencers can shape what we see, think and believe.
Through a dynamic storyline and relatable characters, the performance followed a group of high school students as they navigated the pressures of school, friendships, family expectations and social media. Along the way, they were faced with important choices about how to respond to issues such as cyberbullying, privacy, respect and mental health.
Verbal Combat encouraged students to think critically about their actions online and offline, asking them to consider whether they would be bystanders, followers or positive changemakers. The engaging performance sparked valuable conversations about empathy, responsibility and resilience, helping students reflect on the real-life consequences of their decisions.
We thank Brainstorm Theatre Company for delivering such a meaningful and impactful experience for our Year 7 students.
For more support for both students and parents, please head over to our Wellbeing Portal
