Week 8, Term 1 | 20 March 2026

Its Impact on Socialisation in the ‘real’ world of everyday childhood.

“The digital revolution has fundamentally altered childhood, with the rise of smartphones and social media. Children and adolescents are now growing up in a world where their social interactions and self-worth are increasingly mediated by screens.“

Author of ‘The Anxious Generation’, Jonathan Haidt, terms this ‘the biggest mental health crisis for children in all of known history”.

Human evolution rewards those who learn the most which is why children copy others. Conformity is valuable because it’s a safe strategy, especially for newcomers. This means that if most children have social media accounts, yours will want one too. The problem with social media is that it overwhelms the user with data points (like posts, likes, and comments). Haidt describes social media platforms as “the most efficient conformity engines ever invented”.

‘Attunement refers to a child’s need to connect. Children need to connect with other children because when they do, they synchronise their movements and emotions’. Face-to-face rituals that require physical interactions are a strong part of human interaction. These simple interactions help children develop essential social skills.

Technology use, especially social media, is often a joyless, mindless habit, and the connections created as part of it are often shallow. Digital interactions are designed to be addictive. The result of this addiction, especially to social media, can result in fewer opportunities to practice and develop essential social skills like reading body language, tone, and other non-verbal cues; and the ability to negotiate, show empathy, and compromise. This shift can lead to a sense of social isolation or difficulty connecting with peers in real-world settings, impacting the ability for our children to form healthy, deep relationships, to be the best version of themselves, and to live a satisfied and fulfilled life.

Social media platforms accessed via iPhones expose children to constant comparisons with others, and the possibility of misinterpreting communication, and online bullying. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and anxiety, especially when children measure their worth based on likes, shares, or the idealised images others present online. The pressure to maintain a "perfect" online persona can make children feel disconnected from their authentic selves, leading to increased social anxiety both online and offline.

The use of smartphones (and technology in general) late into the night disrupts sleep patterns, which affects mood regulation and emotional wellbeing. Sleep deprivation may make children more irritable, stressed, and socially withdrawn. Prolonged screen time can also reduce attention spans, making it harder for children to focus on conversations, schoolwork, or social interactions in person.

It is helpful as parents to be reminded about four “foundational” reforms Jonathan Haidt believes, if implemented, “will turn around the rising rates of mental illness and (enable us to) raise much healthier kids”. They include:

• No smartphones before 14: Give only basic phones with limited apps and no internet browser
• No social media before 16: Let kids get through the most vulnerable period of brain development
• Phone-free schools: Store away any personal devices that can send or receive texts to free up their attention
• More independence, free play, and responsibility in the real world: To naturally develop social skills and reduce anxiety.

While iPhones and other smartphones can offer some benefits in terms of staying connected, they also present significant and dangerous challenges for children's socialisation. The key is finding a balance between digital and real-world interactions, setting sensible and firm boundaries as parents, encouraging healthy device usage, and promoting regular opportunities for face-to-face engagement - especially outdoors.

Peter Grimes | Headmaster


References:

‘The Anxious Generation’ (2024) Jonathan Haidt (social psychologist and Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University).

Jesus said, ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?'

Jesus also said, ‘You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in heaven.’ Matthew 5:13-16

In Jesus' day, salt was a preservative that added spice. Light is something that illuminates situations and drives back the darkness.

Christianity is all about faith in Jesus' life, death and resurrection. However, it is also a call to follow Jesus' example of living.

In a world that is at times chaotic we are called to be a preserving influence, like salt. We are to be agents of grace, peace, joy and hope. Our world certainly needs large doses of that at the moment.

We can also be agents of light in our world when we bring the truth of how God has designed us to live. The truth illuminates where falsehood leads people astray. In the midst of so much fake news we can be a force for good as we live lives based on biblical truth.

Biblical truth such as the fact that we are all made in God’s image, we are loved by God, and he has sent his son to be our Saviour and King.

Perhaps you and I can bring some salt and light into our world in the week ahead. 

Grace and Peace

Rev. Michael Crichton
Senior Minister | Mosman Village Church

Thank you to our parents and staff for joining the SchoolTV webinar on Wednesday 18 March 'Understanding Anxiety & Depression to Foster Resilience (Part I)'.

We trust the session provided practical insights to help you better understand and support young people.

To reinforce the key messages, please see the attached Key Points Flyer highlighting the main takeaways. This concise resource is designed to support ongoing conversations and promote shared understanding between home and school.

For those of you who were unable to attend we will share a link in the next week for a limited time. 

Part II of this webinar series is coming soon. In the next session, we’ll take a deeper look at staying calm and connected, strengthening daily routines, and responding to the needs of neurodivergent learners.

Merel Dekkers | School Psychologist
Skye Adams | School Counsellor
On behalf of the Pastoral Care Team

Thank you to everyone who joined the recent parent webinar, "Big Emotions, Resistance & Anxiety." For those who were unable to attend, we are pleased to share the recording link below.

Featuring Clinical Psychologist and co-founder of Open Parachute, Dr Hayley Watson, this session provides parents and caregivers with practical tools to counteract stress and address unhelpful behaviour patterns.

Watch the Webinar Recording Here 

More parent webinars will be coming up throughout the year and we encourage families to register their attendance.

Merel Dekkers | School Psychologist
Skye Adams | School Counsellor
On behalf of the Pastoral Care Team

Last Tuesday, Year 4 went to the Maritime Museum as part of our Trailblazers integrated unit of work. We learnt about different First Nations and European navigators and explorers, and some of the navigational techniques and tools used throughout history. 

Excitingly, we were given the opportunity to board a replica of James Cook's Endeavour and gain an understanding of what the long journey would have been like for him and his crew. Did you know Cook helped prevent scurvy by making sure his crew always had access to fresh fruit and vegetables?

Year 4 also got to look around inside the museum and galleries, exploring various historical artefacts from shipwrecks, old maps of the world, models of different vehicles used for exploration (like a submersible and a helicopter) and much more. We even got to see an underwater naval mine from WWII and board an old navy vessel!

Year 4 had a great time.

By Lachlan Delaney and Nicholas Moore 

Last week, our Year 6 boys travelled to our Terrey Hills campus for a fabulous day of collaboration with the Year 6 girls from Queenwood. The transition from Primary to Senior school often requires a step up in responsibility, and this day was designed to challenge the students' leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Throughout the day, students rotated through three key stations:

• STEM Challenge: Designing and testing high-altitude egg-drop protection.
• The Blind Minefield: A trust-building exercise on the low ropes course.
• Leadership Workshop: Facilitated by Mr Wolfreys, focusing on the specific leadership profile of a Year 6 student.

The day served as a clear reminder that leadership is as much about listening and collaboration as it is about taking charge. It was pleasing to see the initial "great divide" between the schools quickly vanish as the students bonded over shared goals, some fun games of sport, and a classic sausage sizzle. We look forward to seeing the boys apply these newfound skills and values as they continue to lead our School community throughout the year ahead.

Tim Hudson | Year 6 Teacher

Boys Reflections of the Day:

On Monday of Week 7, Mosman Prep invited Queenwood to have a day about leadership and Teamwork at our Terrey Hills campus. At the start it was awkward, but as we got through the day, we got to learn about each other. The teachers really encouraged us to bond together as a community. For example, they inspired us to cross the great divide, the meter wide gap between the boys and girls when we all were in the same room.

We had opportunities to work together as we completed 3 different rotations. The first was a STEM task, which was to make a barrier for an egg that was designed to not let it crack when we dropped it from about 3 metres. This task allowed us to share our own ideas to one another which helped everyone build a friendship with at least one of the Queenwood girls. The second activity we did was the blind minefield, which is where we had to trust our partners to guide us along the low rope course whilst being completely blindfolded. This was fun but also tricky.

The third rotation was an activity with Mr Wolfreys where we got to think about leadership and teamwork that is specific to Year 6 at each school. We had some good discussions and created posters that we can look at again in the future.

After all the activities we had a delicious sausage sizzle and, even then, the teachers wanted us to bond more, so the line had to be boy, girl, boy, girl. Some of the Queenwood girls joined a basketball game which allowed us to get closer as friends and community. They were great games and it helped bring us together as a community.

By Max Dempsey-Lawson and Louis Timmins

I really liked it when we played touch footy where we had to work as a team to try and score tries. I also enjoyed our sausage sizzle, as we just sat and talked about what Queenwood was like and Mosman Prep was like, and about just life and some jokes. This day was fun and it taught us many skills and life lessons.

By Jack Vacy-Lyle

During the Queenwood/Mosman Prep Terry Hills Day, my favourite activity was the STEM egg drop challenge. We had to create a device that could survive a 2 metre drop. My partner and I tried creating a parachute at first but then we realised the parachute wasn't very effective, so with just minutes to go we wrapped it with paper and tissue and dropped it. To our surprise it survived. It was interesting to see the variety of creations made between the Mosman Prep and Queenwood partners, from working parachutes to fun looking creations. I was amazed by the different creations you could make with only a few minutes and simple materials.

By Zac Sherlock

My favourite things were the sausage sizzle, the egg challenge, and the playtime at lunch. Mr Frost was cooking up some sausages and we were absolutely starving after tiring activities, so we all gobbled up the sausages and we even got seconds! I also loved the egg challenge, an activity where we get to design something to protect the egg from cracking when it falls to the ground. We connected with the girls and shared our ideas. It was a wonderful experience. After lunch, we were able to have fun in the playground, and we played loads of games like tip and cricket with Queenwood girls. The day at Terry Hills was truly a fantastic experience for us to connect and make friends with Queenwood.

By Jayden Tian

Our Kindergarten boys recently enjoyed a very special visit with residents from a local aged care home as part of our Service Learning program.

Grounded in our school motto, Non Nobis Solum - Not for Ourselves Alone, and our Term 1 unit Together We Belong: Exploring Communities Near and Far, this experience focused on building meaningful connections beyond our classroom.

Armed with simple conversation prompts, the boys confidently introduced themselves and began getting to know their new friends. Through thoughtful questions and warm conversations, they listened, shared and discovered common interests.

The boys then created painted portraits inspired by these conversations, capturing not just faces, but stories, personalities and connections. It was wonderful to see such care, curiosity and respect shown throughout the experience.

We look forward to continuing to build these relationships across the year, strengthening our understanding that we are all part of a wider, caring community.

Jess Elvey and Miss Shannon O'Brien | Kindergarten Teachers

Cooking

At Terrey Hills we do lots of cooking. Today we made damper, a type of bread that convicts would eat. How you make damper is add flour, butter and salt to a bowl and mix with your hands until the butter can’t be seen. Then you take your damper and place it on a bench and massage the damper until it turns golden. And then shape the damper into a sphere pizza shape. Next, put your damper in the oven and bake it for 25 to 30 minutes or until it becomes golden brown. Then remove from the oven, serve and appreciate your perfectly baked golden brown damper. And that’s why it’s always fun to bake at Terrey Hills. 

By Oliver Edge 4G

Gardening

Yesterday at Terrey Hills in the garden, we looked at the native bees. The native bees are a type of bees that don’t have stingers and their nests are a bit different, they’re spiral! The queen bee is larger and stays in the middle of the spiral. Also, the queen bee needs to lay 300 eggs a day. She also decides what jobs the other bees do and what DNA they have.

By James Tian 4G

Maths/Science

The class did two experiments to understand fire. In the first experiment, we tested how long a fire would keep burning under different sized jars. For the second experiment, we saw how much water could fit in each jar in mL. At the end of this investigation we learnt that the fire burns the longest under the biggest jar which also holds the most water. For the first experiment, the class had to guess how long the candle flame would burn under each of the jars. The experiment was set up on a table with 5 jars and a candle. We lit the candle and put it under a jar (smallest to largest) and timed how long the fire burned for until it went out. For the second experiment, we filled up all 5 jars with water and then poured the water into a measuring jug to measure its capacity.

By Charlie Ill 4G

Today, the Mosman Prep playground was a sea of vibrant, mismatched socks as we celebrated World Down Syndrome Day. While the official global date is Saturday 21 March, our community came together a day early to champion diversity and inclusion.

The initiative was movingly led by Ollie and Archer Frame, who shared the personal significance of this cause at our Friday Assembly. The boys spoke beautifully about their friend Trudy and Uncle Robert, helping their peers understand that the date 21/3 represents the "trisomy"—the unique third copy of the 21st chromosome.

Why the mismatched socks? As the boys explained at morning lines throughout the week, chromosomes are shaped like socks, and wearing them in bright, mismatched colours is a wonderful way to start a conversation about what makes us all unique.

Between the incredible Cake Stall at recess and the gold coin donations, our boys showed immense "colour and kindness" in support of Down Syndrome Australia. A huge thank you to Ollie and Archer for leading such a meaningful initiative and to our families for their generous support.

ReachOut Australia provides a vital lifeline for teenagers and young adults navigating difficult times—whether they are feeling lost, lonely, or struggling to cope with the pressures of everyday life. By offering a safe online space and access to trained specialists, ReachOut helps young people find the support they need to change their lives for the better.

To support this mission, I am participating in Laps for Life for the fourth consecutive year. My goal is to swim as many laps as possible throughout the month of March. While I won’t be breaking any Olympic records soon, the knowledge that every lap completed and every dollar raised can change a life is what keeps me moving when fatigue sets in!

The Progress Report:

• Current Total: 560 laps (14km)
• Initial Goal: 600 laps (I’m almost there!)
• The Plan: To keep swimming and clock up as many extra laps as possible until the end of the month

I am incredibly grateful for the ongoing support I’ve received from Prep families, staff, and friends over the years. If you would like to support my swim this year, you can donate via the link below:

lapsforlife.com.au/briangigner

Thank you for your generosity and support.

Brian Gigner | Year 4 Teacher

As you may be aware, our past uniform provider Cowan and Lewis is now being operated by Midford.

As previously communicated, there were a number of issues with uniform supply during the handover period. Midford has been working closely with the School to resolve these issues and to ensure a smoother experience for our families moving forward.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the P&F for their support in handling parent enquiries throughout this transition and in the past.

Next Steps & Contact Information

To ensure your feedback is handled efficiently, please note the following contact details for any future enquiries:

• For general orders and fittings: Please continue to use the Midford online portal link or visit the shop during designated hours.
• For concerns or feedback: If you have any specific issues regarding service or supply that require school attention, Anne-Maree Pastega will now be the primary point of contact for Midford-related matters. You can reach Anne-Maree at: apastega@mosmanprep.nsw.edu.au

Thank you for your patience and continued support.

Peter Grimes | Headmaster

Each year the Australian Government Department of Education (the department) requires non-government schools to provide them the following information about each student at the School:

• the names and residential address(es) of the student’s parents/guardians;
• the student’s residential address (excluding student names); and
• the student’s education level and boarding status.

Please see the linked notice issued by the department providing further detail.

You will note that you are not required to do anything except ensure that your details recorded with the School are up to date and correct. If any updates are required, these can be made via the Parent Orbit App, Parent Lounge Kiosk or you can email school@mosmanprep.nsw.du.au if you need assistance with this.

Liza Campbell | Director of Business Operations

Mosman Prep is offering another fun and exciting Vacation Care program during the April school holidays, for children aged 4 to 12. You will find all the details you need below and in the documents attached.

Program Details:

Date: 7-10 April 2026
Time: 8:00am-4:00pm
Age: 4-12 years old
Who can attend: Current Mosman Prep students (Early Entry & Primary) and children from other schools (boys & girls) within the age range.

Activities:

• Workshops: Each workshop morning features engaging workshops. Afternoons are for organised sports, games, cooking, and free play.
• Excursions: Full-day programs are also planned for our excursion days.

Booking & Enrolment:

• Limited spots available, so book early!
• Booking: Please use BookMe through Hubworks to book for Vacation Care: mosmanprepasc.hubworks.com.au
• Enrolment: If your child is not already enrolled in ASC through HubWorks, complete the form through the link above.

Cancellation Policy: 

• All bookings are final due to workshop planning.
• Please contact Leonie Westenberg lwestenberg@mosmanprep.nsw.edu.au for further information regarding cancellations.

We can't wait to make your child's school holidays unforgettable!

Leonie Westenberg | Director ASC & Vacation Care
Contact us: lwestenberg@mosmanprep.nsw.edu.au
Phone during Vacation Care & ASC: 0412 229 164

Thank you for your support.

Leonie Westenberg | Director ASC & Compliance Manager

We are excited to announce a significant upgrade to our school’s transport capabilities with the arrival of two brand-new Yutong D7 buses. These modern additions to the Mosman Prep fleet represent our ongoing commitment to providing safe, comfortable, and reliable travel for our boys.

The new D7s will be working hard across all areas of school life. Their primary roles include:

• Terrey Hills Outdoor Education: Ensuring smooth transit for our students as they head to the Terrey Hills campus for outdoor learning and gross motor challenges.
• Sporting Events: Transporting our teams to weekly fixtures and training sessions across our various sports field locations.
• Excursions: Providing a high-standard travel experience for year-group trips and curriculum-based outings.

Chosen for their industry-leading safety features and passenger comfort, these buses are equipped with the latest Euro 6 technology, which offers a more environmentally friendly footprint. For our students, this means a quieter, smoother ride, whether they are heading to a weekend cricket match or a day of exploration in the bush.

These school-owned buses will work alongside our existing private coach services, including the popular Chatswood-Mosman Prep route and our partnership with Queenwood (serving Allambie Heights and Avalon).

The arrival of these buses ensures that as our community grows, we continue to offer the best possible support for our families, making the journey to and from school easier than ever.

Keep an eye out for the new buses around the Mosman and Terrey Hills areas!

Liza Campbell | Business Manager

As part of our commitment to student safety and wellbeing, Mosman Prep adheres to the Child Safe Standards set by the Office of the Children's Guardian. To comply with these standards, all parent volunteers wishing to assist with the Canteen, Terrey Hills, or Excursions must complete the attached Volunteer Information Form.

The form requests the following details:

• Working With Children Check (WWC) number: For verification purposes only.
• Date of Birth (DOB): Required for WWC verification.

Please note:

The form includes references to relevant Mosman Prep policies, accessible on our website.

How to submit the form:

• Email address to send the completed form to volunteer@mosmanprep.nsw.edu.au

Thank you for your time and cooperation in ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all our students.

Julie Shortland | EA to the Headmaster

Term 1 Summer Sport (basketball and cricket) after-school training has ended, and Saturday Summer Sport will conclude tomorrow with Round 6. Please note, Summer Sport recommences in Term 4 with Rounds 7-12 taking place.

Steve Riddett | Director of Sport

Please find linked below important Winter Sport information:

• 2026 Mosman Prep Winter Sport Information
• 2026 Mosman Prep Football Information
• 2026 Mosman Prep Rugby Information
• 2026 Mosman Prep Winter Sport Fixture List

Winter Sport (football and rugby) after-school training will commence next week:

• Year 3/4 on Wednesday 25 March (3:00pm-4:30pm) at Balmoral Oval
• Year 5/6 on Thursday 26 March (3:00pm-4:30pm) at Balmoral Oval
• There will be NO TRAINING in Week 10, the final week of term.

Term 2 Saturday Sport: Rd 1 of IPSHA Winter Sport is 2 May (second weekend in Term 2) to Rd 7, 20 June.
Term 3 Saturday Sport: Rd 8 of IPSHA Winter Sport is 25 July (first weekend in Term 3) to Rd 10, 8 August.

Steve Riddett | Director of Sport

On the evening of Saturday 14 March, a large contingent of boys proudly represented Mosman Prep at the NSTA Term 1 Primary School Challenge. Competing across venues in Chatswood and Burwood, our teams played a series of competitive doubles matches throughout the night. Our boys performed exceptionally well, displaying great determination, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship.

NSTA PSC Term 1 Participants

George Alexander, Jack Barrett, Ben Brown, Mads Callard, Jack Cameron, Max Cameron, Tyler Chen, Thomas Dickson, Oliver Edge, Aria Hooshmand, Charlie Ill, Henry Middleton, Tommy Ronaldson, Beckett Roth, Joshua Rudman, Josh Steinberg, James Tian, Eric Wang, Luke Yates, and Eric Zhou.

Edward Johnston | PDHPE Teacher | Rugby & Cricket Coordinator

Congratulations to our boys who represented the School at the Grammar Football Cup in St Ives last Saturday. Both teams performed well in the competition recording multiple wins. Well done boys and huge thanks to Mr Gigner and Mr Elsden for coaching the teams!

Junior (Year 3/4) Squad: Nicholas Alexander, Ben Brown, Max Cameron, Toby Findlay, Walter Gresson, Henry Middleton (GK), Sebastian Perry, Grayson Rikansrud, Miles Terluk, Lincoln Woodward. Coach: Mr Hamish Elsden

Senior (Year 5/6) Squad: Jed Achterstraat, Max Dempsey-Lawson, Aria Hooshmand (GK), Thomas Hurll, Marcus Mao, Lachlan Miller, Joshua Steinberg, Eric Wang, Dennis Yang. Coach: Mr Brian Gigner

Steve Riddett | Director of Sport

Congratulations to our boys who are in the MCEPS Cross Country team to compete at the 2026 IPSHA Carnival on Wednesday 1 April at The King’s School Preparatory School (Pennant Hills Road, Parramatta).

2026 MCEPS Cross Country Team

There will be training sessions for the Cross Country Team (this also includes boys who are already registered in Cross Country enrichment) at Georges Heights Oval from 7:15am-8:15am on:

• Tuesday 17 March
• Tuesday 24 March
• Tuesday 31 March

Steve Riddett | Director of Sport

Saturdays: On Saturdays the MCEPS Information Line will be updated between 6:30 and 7:00am. This number has the most up-to-date information the School can provide regarding matters of sport and excursions. Parents are to call this number and not the School Office. After heavy rain, Mosman Council often closes its grounds, so please check with this number for all school sport and excursion cancellations.

Weekdays: In case of inclement weather, please ring the Prep Information Line, which will be updated from 1:00pm. Ovals might be closed by Mosman Council on fine days, if the preceding days have been wet. It is therefore advised that parents should ring the School’s Information Line on training days if there has been recent rain. 

PLEASE NOTE:  if the message has not been updated, Sport is ON as scheduled.

Steve Riddett | Director of Sport

Dear Prep families, 

As we begin another exciting school year, we are reaching out to our generous Prep community for support in making our Autumn Ball Fundraiser a wonderful success. 

We are gratefully accepting all types of donations — goods, services or special experiences, whether big or small. Every contribution helps create a memorable evening for our community and plays a valuable part in supporting Prep! 

We also warmly invite you to contribute wine to our Chairman’s Wine Cellar, which will be auctioned at this year’s Autumn Ball. 

If you would like to donate, wine bottles may be dropped off at Reception (parents only) at any time. Your generosity helps us create a truly special auction item for the evening.

To assist us with planning, we would appreciate any donations as soon as practicable. 

If you would like to make a donation, or have any questions, please feel free to contact:
Anna Donnan (donations and wine cellar) - 0412 391 951, Elisha Houston (donations) - 0405 811 772, Alina Dorca (donations) - 0432 695 715 or Timion Rosso (wine cellar) - 0409 603 891.

Warm regards,
Prep Ball Team

On Sunday 15 March 2026 Balmoral Beach will set the stage for young local athletes who are seeking a different challenge! We offer two different lengths of race to suit our two junior age groups:

• 7-10 yrs (100m swim, 2.5km bike, 600m run)
• 11-13 yrs (200m swim, 5km bike, 1.2km run)

We provide a fun race on a traffic free course, finisher medals, and post-race food and drink.

For more information and to register follow the Link.

This event is made possible via the support of Mosman Council.

BTC Juniors Triathlon

Mosman Musical Society is looking for children to join our upcoming production of OLIVER! and we’d love some of your students to be involved!

We’re looking for boys and girls to play a range of ensemble and featured roles including workhouse kids and Fagin’s gang. Rehearsals will mostly be Sundays 2:00–5:00pm in Greenwich, with some weekday evenings as needed. Performances run 22–30 May 2026 at the Zenith Theatre, Chatswood.

A poster is attached with details and who parents can contact if their child is interested. 

Mosman Musical Society