Assistant Principal - Mission
The College community came together on Friday 15 August to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption with a beautiful Mass. It was a truly intergenerational celebration, bringing together students and staff from both St Joseph's and St Paul's, residents from Vincent Court, and parish members in prayer and thanksgiving. We were especially proud of how the students engaged so thoughtfully throughout the liturgy, contributing with reverence, participation, and joy. Moments like these highlight the strength of our Catholic community and the importance of coming together in faith, which is the centre of all we do at St Paul’s.
In today’s world, social media plays a major role in teenage life. While it helps young people stay connected with friends, share ideas, and express their creativity, spending too much time online can also affect their well-being. Excessive screen time often causes tiredness, decreased focus in class, and sometimes extra pressure from comparisons or online conflicts.
Social media is designed to capture attention and keep users engaged, which can lead to real issues for young people. Behind every platform are algorithms that monitor what someone clicks on, likes, or views. These algorithms then serve up more of the same content, creating a never-ending scroll of videos, images, and posts carefully customised to maintain attention. While this might seem fun, it can also lead to hours online without noticing how much time has gone by.
The effects of this constant exposure can be considerable. Excessive social media usage has been connected to poor sleep, decreased focus, and elevated stress and anxiety levels. Many teenagers feel pressured to meet unrealistic standards they see online, which can impact confidence and self-esteem. Exposure to negative comments or cyberbullying can also damage relationships and well-being.
Taking regular breaks from social media helps break this cycle. Time away allows students to rest their minds, reduce stress, and focus more on meaningful face-to-face connections. They often find their concentration improves, they sleep better, and they rediscover time for hobbies, physical activity, or study. Even small changes—such as switching off devices before bed, limiting notifications, or having a social-media-free evening—can make a big difference.
As a College, we encourage families to help their children set healthy boundaries with technology. By understanding how social media platforms are designed, young people can regain control of their online time and build habits that support their well-being and learning.
Mrs Lesa Morrison - Assistant Principal - Mission