We have reached the halfway point of the term. The weather is improving, and the days are getting longer! Please remember that next Friday, 30 September
is student-free day.

For those who have been engaging with the Anxious Generation book, Jonathan Heidt has many suggestions for governments and schools (phone-free!). He encourages parents to enable their children to do things they have never done before, on their own. This could be going to the local park, cooking pancakes, climbing a tree, joining a sporting team or many of the things we probably did as kids! Make sure they are screen free. Let Grow is the website he references, and it contains some interesting ideas.

P & F will be running a Father’s Day stall on Thursday 29 August in the Rotunda.

Gifts range from $2 to $10, with the popular $10 themed gift bags back.

Please send your child with money and a carry bag to purchase a gift on Thursday 29 August. Secondary students will have the opportunity to purchase during lunch time.

Congratulations to Nayab and Luca from Grade 4 for receiving a Flinders values award during last week’s Primary Chapel Service. Nyab received his award for displaying Love and Integrity by consistently choosing to encourage and share kindness while courageously standing up for what is right.

Luca exemplified the value of Perseverance and Love by having a consistent approach to producing high quality work and a willingness to help others.

We’re thrilled to announce an exciting new offer for your school community—Camp Australia is now offering a First Day Free at our Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) programs! This is a fantastic opportunity for families to experience the benefits of our program without any cost for their first session.

Dear Flinders Families

I would like to share with you the newsletter from Mark Hamilton the Head of Secondary for Flinders Tyabb, as it highlights the importance of the damage a phone based childhood can have.

This year marks my 30th year of teaching and this has caused me to reflect on how education has changed over this time. One of the most significant changes has been the use of technology in schools – from email to Teams video calls, from Search Engines to A.I. and from one computer lab in the school to every student coming to school with a smartphone in their pocket. Today’s smartphones (defined as a phone with computer capabilities, internet connectivity and usually a touchscreen) have far greater computing power and memory than the computer used by NASA to put humans on the moon in 1969.

How Do NASA's Apollo Computers Stack Up to an iPhone?

In his book “The Anxious Generation” (2024), social psychologist Jonathan Haidt argues that the decline of free play opportunities for children and the increase use of smartphones among adolescents are the two sources of increased mental distress among teenagers. Haidt lays out four reforms or “new norms” that would provide a foundation for a healthier kind of childhood in the digital age. Each norm helps parents and teens escape the social trap they find themselves in. He says “These four norms help families escape the trap and reverse the two big mistakes we’ve made: overprotecting children in the real world and under-protecting them online”. These norms are

No smartphones before secondary school
No social media before 16
Phone-free schools
More independence, free play, and responsibility in the real world

As a school, we ask that students leave their phone in the lockers throughout the day. There are many reasons that we do this. One of these relates to the impact phones have on academic outcomes. Haidt talks about “attention fragmentation” in relation to children that have their phones on their person throughout the day. In one study researchers had students (1) leave their phones in their bags, or (2) keep their phone in their pocket or (3) place their phone on the desk. Students were then set a task that tested fluid intelligence and working memory. They found that performance was best when phones were left in other rooms and obviously worse when phones were visible on the desk. Haidt claims that the average adolescent receives one notification every five minutes from communication apps. Heavier users of smartphones (as he suggests – teenage girls) who use texting and social media will be receiving a notification every minute. This only compounds the attention fragmentation that students experience.

We have a responsibility as adults, to ensure that the “great rewiring of childhood” does not continue and do what we can to prevent the increase mental distress in teenagers. I encourage you to read Haidt’s book or take some time to look at the website, The Anxious Generation - Free the Anxious Generation.

Point your kids in the right direction - when they’re old they won’t be lost.
Proverbs 22:6 (The Message)

Dear Flinders Community,

Flinders Christian Community College has partnered with the Cyber Safety Project to bring a series of parent webinars.

September has two webinars available:

Building Digital Resilience
AI Deepfakes – What every parent needs to know.

Please register below to attend or to receive the recording once available.

Matt Smith
College eLearning Coordinator

REGISTER NOW 3 SEP 2024 | 7.30PM – 8.15PM AEDT

REGISTER NOW 10 SEP 2024 | 7.30PM – 8.15PM AEDT

Dear Parents, Students, and Music Enthusiasts,

This week our Senior Orchestra joint with the Tyabb Senior Orchestra to compete at the Victorian School Music Festival at the Hawthorn Arts Centre. This is the third group from Flinders to perform at VSMF this year.

Upcoming Events:

Have A Go Performance Night: Our much loved Have A Go Performance Night for all of our Instrumental & Vocal students has now been moved to Tuesday 10 September. Apologies everyone for yet another date change. If your young performer would like to participate, please email Mrs. Linda Harris at musiccarrumdowns@flinders.vic.edu.au to register.

Mt Gambier Generations In Jazz BBQ Fundraiser: On Saturday 7 September our Music team will be hosting a fundraiser BBQ at Carrum Downs Bunnings. All proceeds from this event will go towards our Cross Campus Jazz Ensembles trip to Mt Gambier in May next year to compete at the Generations In Jazz Festival. This is one of Australia’s largest and most prestigious Jazz Festivals. If you’re hungry or need a trip to Bunnings, please come along and support us.

For any general inquiries or questions about our music programs, please feel free to contact Mrs. Linda Harris at musiccarrumdowns@flinders.vic.edu.au

FROZEN KIDS 2024
We have commenced our rehearsals and the students are simply amazing. Don’t forget to save the date, Thursday 21 November.
Should your child be unwell or on camp, please email me as it can affect the scene we are rehearsing.

PRIMARY SCHOOL HOLIDAY WORKSHOP
I am delighted to announce that the theme of our next workshop will be MOANA.
With Moana 2 due to be released this Christmas, let your child experience the joy of singing, dancing and ukulele instruction during the 3 days.
The dates of the workshop will be Monday 23, Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 September, running from 10am until 3pm. Students will also receive their own personalised tee shirt to wear.

The cost of the workshop will be $250 per student. In the first instance, please email me to book a place, following which, you will receive full details.

Closing date for this popular workshop is Friday 13 September.

Please note that the MOANA workshop is nearly sold out, should you wish to book a place for your child, please email me asap.

Payment not due until the 13 September.

FLINDERS GOT TALENT 2024
It is hard to believe that we are running our fourth FGT. Hugely popular with our school community, this year’s event will take place on Thursday 29th August in the Music Centre from 6.00pm until 8.00pm.

Open to students and staff, competitors should email me with details of their act and if they require music. Closing date for entries is Monday 26th August.

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to the following students who auditioned for BATS Theatre Company production of Winnie the Pooh Kids and were cast, Zoe Sissons, Jake Christie, Izzy Van Niekerk and Dean Baker. Congratulations also to alumni Layla Van Niekerk and to Lottie O’Hare who has been appointed Vocal Director. I am looking forward to seeing you all shine on stage.

Diane O’Hare
Performing Arts Coordinator

Registration Link:
https://forms.office.com/r/XPMhvxdtvD

Calling all players interested in joining a Flinders Basketball Club team for summer season 2024/5.

Weekly summer season competition games start in Term 4 and ends on the last Saturday at the end of Term 1, 2025.

Please complete this form if your child is wanting to play summer season basketball (extra-curricular, after-school competition games) with the Flinders Basketball Club. All EXISTING Club members MUST register or they may lose their spot. Please complete 1 form per player as an "Expression of Interest" only.

Link: PLAYERS - Summer Season Domestic Competition

Deadline: EXTENDED DEADLINE 26 AUGUST 2024 (1pm MONDAY)

Teams will be confirmed after winter season finals games (1st week of the holidays).

Denver was recently selected into the ‘U18 Australian Select Elite’ team and competed in the ‘Future Stars Basketball Tournament’ held in Beijing, China.

They played against select teams from all over the world, including the USA, Canada, Serbia, Japan and host nation China. Denver and his team had a very successful tournament, finishing with a bronze medal!

This is an amazing achievement by Denver and we are extremely proud of him here at the College.

On Tuesday 13 August, students from Carrum Downs had a wonderful day attending the SIS Lawn Bowls Championships, held at Karingal Bowls Club.

Flinders College was represented by 3 teams consisting of 3-4 students each. Congratulations to all our players for their hard work and dedication, and a special thank you to our coaches for their support. Go Flinders!

On Tuesday 13 August, students from both Carrum Downs and Tyabb campuses of Flinders enjoyed a fantastic day at Netball Victoria's State Netball Boys Gala Day, held at the State Netball Centre. Under a sunny sky, our three teams competed with grace and determination. Flinders College was represented across all three age categories: a Junior team (Years 7 & 8), an Intermediate team (Years 9 & 10), and a Senior team (Years 11 & 12).

Our Senior Boys showed remarkable effort, finishing 8th in their pool. The Intermediate Boys displayed impressive strength and teamwork, earning 6th place. Our Junior Boys capped off the day with 5th place in their pool.

Congratulations to all our players for their hard work and dedication, and a special thank you to our coaches for their support. Go Flinders!

On Saturday 17 August, 7 of our year 7 students competed at the FISAF Future Champions Cup. FISAF Australia is the event provider for all major Sport Aerobics competitions.

Sport Aerobics combines elements of traditional aerobics with dance and fitness. High intensity routines are performed to energetic music, that include a variety of skills and movement patterns.

Zoe A, Shanara H, Divya J, Indi M, Ariana M, Matilda P & Tahlia W competed in our ‘Flinders Fearless’ team in the Yr 7 Pre – Choreographed section.

The team placed 1st against strong competition. This is an incredible achievement for these girls and the College.

Well done girls!