Issue 13 - 2025

These changes aim to protect young people from risks linked to social media use, including:

• Excessive screen time driven by notifications and disappearing content
• Exposure to harmful or manipulative content served by algorithms
• Increased stress, reduced sleep, and lower concentration

Young people can also face risks such as cyberbullying, requests for explicit images, and exposure to pornography or violent material.

What does this mean for families?
This is not a ban—it’s a delay. You won’t need to say “yes” or “no” to social media accounts; instead, you can say “not yet,” knowing other under-16s are also restricted. This gives families time to talk about online safety and wellbeing, helping children build digital, social, and emotional skills before turning 16.

Quick Facts:

• Likely affected platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Kick, and Reddit (check the latest list on eSafety).
• Under-16s can still view publicly available content without logging in.
• Messaging apps, gaming platforms, and most education or health services are excluded.
• There are no penalties for children or parents—the responsibility is on platforms, which face fines up to $49.5 million for non-compliance.

For more details and tips on preparing your family, visit the eSafety Commissioner’s Social Media Age Restrictions Hub: esafety.gov.au.

What are eRideables?

eRideables include electric scooters, skateboards, hoverboards, eSkates, and eUnicycles. They must:

• Be designed for one person
• Weigh no more than 25 kg
• Not exceed 25 km/h

Who can ride them?

Only people aged 16 years and over are permitted to use eRideables on Western Australian roads and paths. Children under 16 may use low-powered motorised scooters (maximum 200 watts, top speed 10 km/h). These are not classed as eRideables and have separate rules under the Road Traffic Code 2000.

Safety requirements:

• Helmets must be worn
• Lights or reflectors are required when riding at night

For full details and safety guidance, visit the Road Safety Commission website. You may also find this fact sheet helpful.

Just Dance: Our Year 7 team—Bonnie Jorgensen, Sophia Mullineux, and Grace Mason-Arnold—faced tough competition from schools in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland, many of which have dedicated Esports programs. The overall winners were Yarra Valley Grammar, the current national and global online Just Dance champions, scoring near-perfect results. Despite this, our SVACS team achieved an incredible 4th place nationally in the Year 7 and 8 age group—a fantastic accomplishment considering they only started this year!

Mario Kart: Jimmy Gale (Year 8) represented SVACS and WA in the Year 7 and 8 Mario Kart Nationals. After a strong start in each race, a few red and blue shells pushed him back in the pack, but Jimmy showed resilience and commitment, finishing with placements of 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, and 5th across four races. Overall, he secured 4th place in Australia, behind NSW, QLD, and VIC.

Congratulations to all our competitors for their outstanding efforts and sportsmanship!

The group toured the campus and were impressed by the many developments that have taken place, reminiscing about how the school looked a decade ago. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their achievements and hear about the exciting paths they have taken since leaving school.

Students and staff did an outstanding job selling bandannas and raised an impressive total of $3,452. This fantastic effort will help support young Australians impacted by cancer—a truly worthy cause.

Both our girls’ and boys’ teams narrowly missed out on first place but demonstrated outstanding skills and teamwork throughout the competition. The tournament was such a success that all participating schools have agreed to make indoor cricket a regular interschool fixture. Plans are already underway to expand the competition in 2026.

The service was led by members of the Student Representative Council (SRC) and our Year 6 Service Leaders. Inspiring stories were shared about Australians whose lives were deeply impacted by war. Together, we offered prayers, laid wreaths, and pinned poppies to our Wall of Remembrance.

Our Early Years students held a separate service, where they proudly added beautifully decorated class wreaths to the Remembrance Wall, creating a touching tribute to those who served.

Over the past two months, several athletes proudly represented SVACS and/or Western Australia in their chosen sports:

• Paige Grant (Year 10) – Represented WA in Volleyball at the end of Term 3.

• Harseerat Chahal (Year 9) and Cooper Chilman (Year 7) – Represented WA in Cricket.

• Zayne Bayiwa (Year 8) – Competed at the WA All Schools Championship, winning a gold medal in the long jump (6.07m). Zayne will now have the opportunity to travel to Melbourne to represent the state.

Congratulations to all our talented athletes on these outstanding achievements!

If you haven’t yet submitted an application for a future student, we encourage you to contact our Registrar, Mrs Merri Corr, on 9297 9506 or via email at enrolments@svacs.wa.edu.au.

We understand that this time of year may bring changes for families, such as relocations or new job opportunities. If your child will not be returning to SVACS in 2026, we kindly ask that you notify us as soon as possible. This allows us to offer places to families on our waitlist and plan effectively.

Please be reminded of the school’s Withdrawal Policy:

• One full term’s notice in writing is required for student withdrawals.
• This means at least 10 school weeks’ notice must be given (school weeks refer to term time only, not holidays).
• Withdrawal notices should be addressed to the Principal, Ms Melissa Powell, and sent via email to enrolments@svacs.wa.edu.au.

To meet this requirement, written notice must be received no later than Wednesday, 15 October 2025.

Thank you for your support in helping us prepare for a successful 2026 school year.

To get started, please refer to the User Guide Instructions for step-by-step details on how to download and set up the app on your phone. We look forward to keeping you informed and connected through this new platform.

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/swan-valley/id6738373306

Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.edu.wa.svacs.schoolapp

Since last November, we have been reading S. Luke’s version of the Gospel of Jesus. Luke is the great storyteller, and includes many parables with striking imagery and memorable messages, that challenge us to build bridges, break down barriers, reach out in loving service, and recognize all as God’s children.

Recently we have also been reading S. Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, which provides us not only with insights into church life in Thessalonica, but into the challenges of community life in every place and time.  Teachings such as holding fast to the truth, sharing in work, and never failing to do what is right, apply just as much to all of us as to those fledging Christians.

As we read these inspired texts from many years ago, we always find a word in season for ourselves.

Students in Years 7-11 celebrate the eucharist in Term 4, in Year groups. This central act of worship was commanded by Jesus as his memorial, and invites us to welcome him into our life in the forms of bread and wine, transformed for us by the Holy Spirit: ‘This is my body, this is my blood.’ All students who do not receive Holy Communion are encouraged to include themselves, and respond to Jesus’ invitation, by receiving a blessing. Like Jesus, we seek to include and welcome everyone, and give opportunities to experience the life of God at the heart of our Anglican community.

We continue to pray for and remember those who have lost their lives recently, their families, friends and communities, and all who mourn the loss of loved ones. The eucharist connects us with those who feasted with Jesus here on earth, and are now, we pray, at the never-ending banquet of the Lamb of God at his table in heaven.

At the end of this term, Junior Years students also celebrate the Eucharist, in the first week of Advent, to mark the start of a new Church year and the end of the School year. This is a time of great celebration and thanksgiving, as well as looking forward in hope to the coming of Christ at Christmas, and the transformation of our lives that may be ours in Christ in 2026.

Blessings and peace

Father Toby

School Chaplain

A Prayer for This Week

Lord God of all the ages,

the One who is, who was, and is to come:

stir up within us a longing for your kingdom,

keep our hearts steady in times of trial,

and grant us patient endurance until the Sun of justice dawns,

who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen

While the children were busy meeting their teachers and classmates in preparation for their exciting Kindergarten year ahead, their parents attended a ‘Welcome to Kindergarten 2026’ presentation in the Performing Arts Centre. At the end of the event, each family received a welcome bag filled with information to help them start the 2026 school year successfully. The weather was sunny, and hearts were warmed by the welcoming environment our Kindergarten team created.

I have written to all Secondary Students this week about ending the academic year well. Please support the School in discussing these five dot points with your children:

• Finish Strong – Keep giving your best effort in class, activities, and commitments until the final day on Wednesday December 10th
• Stay Respectful – Be compassionate and respectful to teachers, classmates, and our spaces.
• Be Responsible – Start taking books, equipment and projects home and clean up lockers 
• Celebrate Safely – Enjoy end-of-year events and celebrations with positivity and care for others.
• Reflect and Appreciate – Take a moment to look back on your growth this year and thank those who supported you.

Students who will be attending Swan Valley Anglican Community School in Year 7 2026 are invited to join us for a very special Welcome Day on Thursday November 27th.

Please note the following:

• Year 7 (2026) students are asked to assemble and be seated in the Theatre (Performing Arts Centre) by 8:15am
• Students should wear their sports uniform
• They are asked to bring a broad-brimmed school hat, pen, pencil, and clipboard or notebook
• Students should bring morning tea and a water bottle; lunch will be provided (special dietary needs will be supplied by Justin Avins)
• Students are to be collected from the Performing Arts Centre at 3:00pm.

From December 10 2025, many social media platforms won’t be allowed to let Australians under 16 create or keep an account. I am writing to remind you about the important changes to social media regulations that will affect children in Australia, and how you can support your child in navigating these changes safely and responsibly.

What’s changing?

• From 10 December 2025, age-restricted social media platforms will be required to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from creating or keeping an account.
• The rule places responsibility on the platforms themselves — there are no penalties for children under 16 or their parents/carers if a child uses an age-restricted platform.
• Platforms covered under this rule are those whose primary purpose is enabling interactive social connections (posting, linking to/interacting with others).
• Major platforms (such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, X/Twitter, YouTube, and others) are included in the list of “age-restricted social media platforms”.

How can you support your child?

• Talk openly: Explain to your child what the new rule means — that social media platforms will be taking steps to check age and may ask for verification, remove under-16 accounts, or restrict access.
• Check their accounts: Have a regular check-in on which platforms your child uses, the account age, how they’re using it, and whether privacy and safety controls are switched on.
• Set clear family expectations: Discuss when and how social media may be used, screen time limits, responsible behaviour online, how to handle upsetting content or contact, and alternatives to screen time.
• Encourage safe behaviour: Teach your child how to protect their personal information online, how to use privacy settings, how to avoid risky interactions, and what to do if they see or experience online harm.
• Stay connected and involved: Let your child know they can talk to you or someone at school if they encounter something online that makes them uncomfortable. Encourage balanced tech use with offline activities

The workshop was designed to support the students in developing their cheerleading skills in a professional and safe gym environment, introducing techniques such as rolls, handstands, cartwheels, and back handsprings. All students made strong progress in their cheerleading skills, with many achieving a back walkover for the first time!

It is the Festive Season and time to turn our attention to our Christmas Giving Program. It is time for us to demonstrate our Core Value of Compassion and put our Faith into Action.

Once again, we are creating Christmas hampers for families in the Ellenbrook and Midland regions to be distributed by the Ellenbrook Foody Pantry and the Ascension Connection in Midland.

We ask that each child to bring in a non-perishable food item to contribute to their class hamper. A list of hamper items has been posted on each classroom door in the Primary School or in PCG’s in the Secondary School. These items include:

• Shortbread Biscuits
• Savoury Biscuits
• Cordial/Fruit Juices
• Custard (long life)
• Tinned Ham
• Tinned Fruit
• Christmas Pudding
• Christmas Lollies
• Meals in a can    
• Christmas Cake
• Christmas Crackers (6 pk)
• Tinned vegetables 
• Mince Pies
• Christmas Napkins

Gifts of new toys or clothing and toiletries are also welcome.

This year we are also supporting Anglicare WA in providing Back to School backpacks. Each year Anglicare supports thousands of children across the state. Back to school supplies are in high demand, especially for families falling on hard times who have just been through the Christmas period. Please help us ensure as many children as possible start 2026 with confidence and dignity by donating backpacks filled with essential items.

• Backpack
• Scrap books
• Ruler 300mm
• Lunch box
• Drink bottle
• Scissors
• Pencil case
• Display Folder 20 pg
• Glue sticks
• Pencil Sharpener – barrel
• HB pencils
• Erasers
• Highlighters
• Pens – 3 blue, 3 black, 2 red
• Artline Marker Black
• Coloured pencils 12 pk  
• Crayons Crayola twistables
• Textas 12 pk

Thank you for your support.

Dear Musical Friends,

I'm inviting you to be part of a wonderful choral experience in the lead-up to Christmas. Each year I put together a Community Christmas Choir (about 20-30 voices) to sing exquisitely beautiful music at Ascension Church on Christmas Eve.

This year, I'm particularly looking for people who read music to help support this mixed-ability choir. Voice training and experience is not necessary - it will be provided! along with Latin pronunciations.  Please get in touch if you are interested.

Heart Health Warning: You will fall in love with this music. 

Best wishes,

Reverend Stuart Fenner