Andrew Watt – Principal

The biggest challenge to respectful relationships

Both teachers and parents have a role to play in encouraging children and young people to develop relationships with each other based on mutual respect and equality. Recently, Australian psychologist, Collett Smart, identified pornography as the biggest challenge parents had to overcome when developing respectful attitudes to gender and sexuality.

Exposure to pornography may be more prevalent than you may imagine. In Australia (in 2017), just under half (44%) of children aged 9-16 surveyed had encountered sexual images in the last month. Younger children (those aged 9-12) are particularly likely to be distressed or upset by pornography. The extent and frequency of viewing pornography differs by gender, with males more likely to deliberately seek out pornography and to do so frequently. Attitudes and responses to exposure also vary by gender, with females having more negative views and responses such as shock or distress compared to males, particularly in older teens, who are more likely to experience pornography as amusing, arousing or exciting.

Whilst some children encounter pornography unintentionally, due to its availability online, for others, it has become their primary source of sexual education. Smart warns, “If pornography is not specifically addressed, it is likely to erode young people’s healthy development,” pointing out that many parents discover that their upper primary school or secondary school aged child has accessed porn, so the topic can’t be ignored. A leading parenting expert, Dr Justin Coulson, has provided practical support and resources to parents on this sensitive issue, on the e-safety website. He believes that the hardest part for parents is how to begin a conversation. He suggests some possible ways to start the chat: 

• “I don’t really know what to say, but we have to have a talk about sex and pornography.” 
• ‘” read an article today that said kids are seeing pornography at really young ages. Can I talk to you about it?”  
• “I want to talk with you about one of those awkward topics. Is that OK?” (They rarely say ‘no’, but if they do, respect that, and then set up a time where you can talk.) 

After your child(ren) have agreed to talk with you, the conversation can be tailored, based on parent’s knowledge of their child and their level of maturity and development. Conversation starters include: 

• “Have you heard the word pornography? What do you know about it?’”
• “Do any of the kids at school ever talk about it?” (Questions about your child’s behaviour may be too confronting, so asking about their peers feels safer.) “What do they say?”
• “Have you ever seen it?” If they have seen it, ask: “Did someone show it to you? Or did you find it yourself?” Try to find out what you can about how they found it and why they were searching for it. 
• If you know your child has been exposed to (or is viewing) pornography, it is better to say, “When I found you looking at pornography the other night…” rather than, “Have you seen pornography?”
• If they have seen it, reassure them they are not in trouble. Ask: “When you saw it, how did it make you feel?” Discuss those feelings.  
• Depending on your child’s questions and maturity, you may wish to discuss issues related to ‘consent’, ‘intimacy in close relationships’, and ‘respect’.
• Check if your child has other questions or if you have explained things enough for them. 
• Let your child know that any question is OK to ask — nothing is off limits. This is true even when you might have to send them to someone else to find the answers. 
• If you don’t know the answer to one of their questions, tell them you will find out. Then use it as an opportunity to have another talk. 

For those parents requiring more detailed advice, the following website will be useful.

Year 12 Music HSC Showcase 2020 

On Monday afternoon, a limited staff audience were permitted to watch the showcase live, whilst parents, relatives and other supporters of our performers enjoyed the show via livestream webinar. Fortunately, the live-streaming of the showcase went without a hitch and the audience enjoyed a wide range of high-quality composition, vocal and instrumental performances. The showcase also served as an excellent dress rehearsal for the HSC performance assessment, conducted over the following two days. Our congratulations to our Year 12 Music 1 and Music 2 performers:

• Miriam Itzkowitz
• Jemma Bennett
• Talia Blackman
• Rebekah Goldsworthy
• Amber Langman
• Nate Spielman

Thank you to our peripatetic staff, who serve our students so well, and our teachers (and accompanists), Daniel Burley and Diana Springford.

Year 11 Drama Showcase

 A live audience of Year 11 and 12 students and our live-streamed audience of parents and supporters were treated to an entertaining and often humourous series of group and individual performances. It was pleasing to note approximately 70% of our Year 11 cohort turned up to support their peers – impressive! The potential and talent of this drama group shone through and the evening was enjoyed by all. Mazal tov to Saskia Auerbach, Dean Reuveny, Sophie Sawicki, Tara Linker, Jessica Lowy, Charlotte Lyons, Ariella Tracton and Liat Granot. Many thanks also, to Samantha Bauer, for her wonderful work with our Drama students.

Netball Grand finals

Our Year 7/8 netball team defeated Moriah 26-9, in the finals of the Sydney Schools Cup. It was a strong team performance and we congratulate each player on their victory. With so little sport permitted due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was exciting to again engage in a district inter-school sport competition. Thank you to Kristy Genc and Cathy Evans Birrell.

Director of Finance and Operations

After flagging her intention to retire in June, Jillian McCormick generously agreed to stay on, to support our School through our COVID-19 journey. Her strong knowledge, skillset and work ethic has helped us immensely, as we negotiated the financial uncertainties, and we are very grateful.

I am pleased to announce that Mario Torresan has been appointed as our new Director of Finance and Operations, commencing on 16 November. Mr Torresan is a highly qualified and experienced leader within the Finance sector. He has held a range of CFO and COO roles, in the Not-For-Profit sector, including Australian Hearing, Aquarius Aged Care and UNICEF Australia. Mario has worked recently as Director of Finance and Technology at Montefiore Aged Care. We are looking forward to his contribution to our Business Office and, more broadly, as a member of our Strategic Advisory Team. We will have opportunity to formally thank Jillian prior to her departure. 

Mazal tov

Congratulations to Alexander Placek, Year 12, who was recently awarded the AICES Colours Award for his outstanding achievement in Tennis. This award is only given to those senior students who qualify for AICES teams and represent at CIS. Well done Alex. 

Quote of the week

“Everything negative – pressure, challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise.”
Kobe Bryant