Dear Parents,
A call to protect our children.
Please help us protect the privacy (current and future) of our children at SCBC.
Emerging phenomena
10 years ago, while Principal in another Christian college, I remember a particular conversation with a senior, experienced, highly qualified and skilled School Psychologist. She shared her instinctive, growing concern for an incoming and emerging, previously unknown phenomenon.
Students (girls) were beginning to share anxious, worrying thoughts about a choice they had made. Very private, personal images had been sent by them to another person. In a childlike moment of thoughtless, unfiltered ‘fun’, they had shared an image of themselves that they now deeply regretted. Commonly, the resultant worry was seriously impacting their self-esteem, negatively affecting their friendships, and reducing their head-space for school.
Shared concern
The concern of School Psychologists, Teachers, parents and many others continues. Sadly, so does the trend of ‘over-sharing’ private-personal images.
If we do not establish clarity, who will? The onus of responsibility is on us as a community. The issue is much more than a school concern. Society has to be clear. Adults need to lead from the front.
Reaction and response
Law is a mirror of what society determines to be right and reasonable. Elected representatives, State & Federal Ministers, have responded to our collective concern by bringing new legislation (proposed law) to Parliament. Thankfully, the Law (our collective opinion) has now made it very clear in writing that we will not tolerate our young people being compromised. Communicating child pornography is a very serious, criminal offence.
What we can, and will do as a college community
Illegality is illegality in any organisation, including schools. We are both lawfully bound and wilfully committed to protecting our children.
SCBC will uphold a strict zero-tolerance to any individuals who engage in conduct that compromises the personal privacy of our students. Your support legitimises the law to our young people. It’s essential to understand why the law exists.
We can lead by modelling an intentional focus on what is good.
‘Finally, … , whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.’ (Philippians 4:8)
Thank you for your support. Together we can and will make a difference. Together, we will help provide clarity for the children entrusted to our care.