A message from the Principal

Please keep these children in your prayers as they receive the body and blood of Christ for the first time, and pay respect for the death of Jesus Christ. It is a big day for all Catholics and one that introduces them as full members of the Catholic Church.

One of the big dilemmas parents face in today's world is the decision on when is your child old enough to own a smartphone, and how to manage its use. Below is a fantastic article from the 'The Parenting Place' which addresses this issue and provides some sage advice.

Getting a first phone is an exciting new journey for your child – but giving them a phone doesn’t mean giving them free reign in this digital world.

While the average age for a child to get their first smartphone is 10, consider the maturity your kids are showing before taking the technology plunge. If you don’t feel they’re ready just yet, let them know what you expect to see to indicate they are ready – chores, caring for their belongings etc.

Start as soon as your child gets their first phone. More is better than less at this point – you can always take restrictions away, but it’s harder to add extra ones later.

Here are a few simple rules for your kids and their new phone:

• Bedtime – Your child has one and so should their phone.

• Manners – Phones seem to turn kids into zombies. A powerful antidote to this is manners. You don’t look at your phone when someone is talking to you and you don’t bring your phone to the table.

• Technology-free time – Insist on respect for family and social time. Maintain a standard where technology is not a part of every occasion.

• Limits – I have heard good parenting defined as ‘the right mixture of love and limits.' Most phones have built-in parental controls and a digi-family agreement is a good idea. You can download one at digi-parenting.co.nz.

• Communication – Foster an open line of communication with your child about online content. This encourages your child to have a conversation with you if they see/receive anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.

Stay engaged, learn alongside your child, and put healthy boundaries in place to ensure their safety and enjoyment.

These great parenting tips can be found at: info@theparentingplace.com

The Parent Council has a number of weekend fundraisers on the go at the moment in an attempt to find alternative means of fund raising. The next undertaking involves running a drink station at the Bridge to Bridge Mountain Bike Event on Sunday, 25 June. I know the Parent Council would appreciate a whole new group of volunteers from those who gave their time so generously last weekend at the Christchurch Marathon. The new basketball hoops ordered for the artificial turf are a direct result of this fund raising.

Don’t forget the Disco this Friday.