Head of Year 9 Update
Term 3 has been a whirlwind for the Year 9 cohort, returning to St Catherine’s for four school days after a well-deserved holiday break and then embarking on the highly anticipated Heyington to Highlands Program in Fiji on 22 July. The Year 9 students returned from this 12-day adventure full of gratitude for the incredible lessons learned and friendships made.
An additional benefit from this experience in the Fijian Highlands was the opportunity for students to go without their mobile devices for the entirety of the program. I have had many conversations with the students upon their return to School highlighting the relief and contentment they felt not having access to their mobile phones during that time. Within our technology-driven world, it can sometimes feel like there is no escaping ‘the screen’.
For our Year 9 students to respond so positively to its temporary removal was fantastic and demonstrated the power of logging off – but could they manage a digital detox during a normal school week in Melbourne? From 14 to 16 August, the Year 9 cohort undertook a ‘Digital Detox’ – three days at School without the use of their phones. An invitation was also sent to their parents to extend this detox at home during this time. To assist with the experience, the students had different activities on offer during these three days. Wednesday saw House activities in the Hall. Form teachers joined forces with their form groups to compete for a lunchtime pizza party – won by Holmes Kilbride!
The Year 9 students participated in House activities in the Hall to assist with their digital detox.
Thursday provided the opportunity to hear from Mr John Toulantas, Director of Information Communications Technologies at St Catherine’s, about the risks associated with sharing information online, and the implications for their personal digital branding now and into the future.
On Friday, Madeline Powell (Year 9) provided an opportunity for students to take some time out during their lunchtime with a yoga session in the gym. Old fashioned board and card games were also on offer for students to engage with each other and enjoy their recess and lunchtime breaks throughout the week.
Madeline Powell (Year 9) led a lunchtime yoga session for the Year 9 cohort.
It is not a requirement for students to completely remove technology from their lives, however, an occasional step back will allow them the ability to reflect on how (and how often) they use their mobile devices. Beyond Blue highlights some key benefits of undertaking an occasional digital detox:
- Greater productivity
- Healthier relationships
- Improved physical health
- Improved sleep
- Greater calm and contentment.
Year 9 Holmes Kilbride enjoy their lunchtime pizza party.
I will admit that this experience has been very positive for me as well. It has highlighted very clearly my dependence on, and frequent use of, my mobile phone. A particular habit that I need to kick is using my phone before I go to sleep – this is something that I will be working on through my occasional detoxes going forward.
The Year 9 cohort will be writing reflections on their Digital Detox for their Leadership Diploma to identify habits they would like to alter or eliminate in their digital device usage going forward. I invite all St Catherine’s students and parents to consider undertaking their own digital detox, it is a valuable and insightful experience.
Year 9 parents can expect a set of important dates for the remainder of the year to be sent to them directly in the coming week.
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