The Heads of House and I are often asked about gaming and its impact on young lives. Console and online gaming just seem to be getting bigger and better. The rise in the general quality, interactivity and social connectivity of gaming over the last few years has led to more people gaming than ever before. But how and why does gaming keep getting bigger each year?

Modern developments and innovations have made gaming a more immersive and socially connected experience than ever. In just a few years we have seen huge leaps forward in the quality of gaming graphics, equipment, interactive game play and social connectivity. All of this has created an intense sensory experience that no previous generation has encountered.

Using similar techniques to those used by advertising and gambling agencies, modern gaming mimics the kinds of sensory assaults that we naturally associate with high-risk/high-reward scenarios. The threats and rewards do not even need to be real for our brains to have an intense response. Essentially the promise of strong rewards that come from winning a game, accessing locked content and other bonuses is what makes gaming so compelling.

When matched with the high potential for failure and the totally immersive experience that we find in modern gaming, it can keep us constantly engaged and entertained. Once this kind of natural response is triggered, blood can flow away from the rational, decision making part of our brain and into the more primitive and instinctual areas of the brain. All of this impairs decision making ability and keeps our young people engaged in the game.

Recently, research has taught us about the plasticity of the brain which we teach our students in their Wellbeing classes. This refers to the ways in which the brain creates new neural pathways in response to the experiences we have, and the chemicals released in the brain as a result of those experiences.

The flooding of our nervous system with dopamine is a good thing if we are faced with a life-threatening situation. The sudden spike of neurotransmitters allows us to quickly respond and remove ourselves from the threat of danger. The response was always only meant to be a short-term response, since the body was never meant to be in a continuous state of heightened arousal. Without a break from these spikes the body can move into unhealthy patterns of behavior. These constant spikes in dopamine can decrease motivation, attention and emotional stability, as well as create addictive behaviours and dependencies; which have long term negative and life changing consequences.

It is important to recognise the signs of excessive screen time or gaming resulting in spikes in dopamine and affecting behaviour. The most common signs of excessive screen time or gaming are:

• It affects the ability to focus and complete school tasks.
• It negatively impacts a person’s relationships with family members and peers.
• It takes priority in a person’s life over the basic functions such as eating, sleeping, personal hygiene and exercise.
• It causes significant changes in mood or ability to control outbursts (e.g. physical aggression) when asked to stop.

We may ask why our young people are so engaged with their screens, well it is because their basic needs are being met with a:

• Need for connection, a sense of belonging to a group or tribe.
• Feeling of control – autonomy of what we do, by selecting what is watched or played.
• Me competency - how many people respond to posts with likes and shares is a tangible measure.

Psychological weaknesses are that the game is never done, there is no point of completion, intermittent rewards and always another level resulting in a fear of missing out (FOMO) if they are not in the game resulting in digital disconnection.

As parents we need to be the pilot of the digital plane for our children using the three B’s;

Boundaries: Parents need to be consistent but not instantaneous. Negotiate prior to the device being switched on. Set a timer because when in a game, time flies, or negotiate the number of levels. Screen time should not be used as a reward or punishment, as if used as a reward we are placing it on a pedestal.

Basic needs: Screen time should not override our basic human needs of relationship, sleep, eating and physical exercise or ‘green time’. Green time after screen time enables self-regulation, this can be achieved by a walk, physical activity, a shower or chewing on ice blocks.

Bored: Allow moments of white space where there is no processing or digital connection. Time is generally based on age, active or passive and a space where there is no technology, for example in their room for 10 minutes of solitude which is difficult, but is good practice for us all.

We need to remember that technology is a great servant, but not a master, and we as adults need to be role models to those in our care.

There is also compelling evidence that game play in moderation can improve cognitive skills such as processing speed, executive functioning and cognitive flexibility using modest amounts of about an hour a day, have been associated with improvement in psychological adjustment and self-esteem. So, yes, it’s OK for your children to game but in moderation.

Exerts from Raising Children in a Digital World; Dr Kristy Goodwin

Helen Del Frate

Dean of Students

On Friday 5 June our students who qualified for the Future Problem Solving International Competition participated in the Virtual International Finals against students across the globe via a 3D Virtual Platform. The topic of study was Terraforming and with 10 weeks of committed training for the competition, they were well-prepared to take on the other teams. Our team did exceptionally well in their evaluations and placed 15^th globally out of the 70 teams in their division.

Below are some comments from the three rounds of evaluations:

“Well done on a high-quality booklet. You have incorporated some great ideas and a lot of very sensible thinking. Excellent Action Plan. Prior research was evident.”

“I can really tell you are science students!  Wow, the technical details and vocabulary are excellent.  You do explain your idea fully, and it is interesting to ponder.”

“Fantastic Action Plan. This is a great solution idea, very creative & futuristic. This clearly addressed your Underlying Problem and is very detailed with clear reference back to your criteria from Step 4.”

Well done! You have been working very hard which is a true example of your determination and perseverance!

Sonja van Aswegen

Head of Secondary Learning Enhancement

This has certainly been a different sort of term and I think it is fair to say that many are feeling ready for a break! Year 12 is highly challenging and at times, a stressful season under usual circumstances. There is no doubt that the uncertainty and changes we have experienced in the last few months have placed a further load on our Senior students. In light of this, the Year 12 Wellbeing Day held on Tuesday of Week 10 was a valuable opportunity to pause, take stock, reflect, enjoy the company of peers and to find balance in our busy world. The students spent a session with their Heads of House reflecting on advice from various staff members and thinking about who they want to be as they move towards life after school.

Lunch was a delicious spread prepared and served by the Year 11 Foods classes, plus a fresh fruit smoothie or juice of their choice. The afternoon was spent with many choosing to let their hair down and burn off some energy playing volleyball, badminton, table tennis or challenging themselves on the (highly exhausting) inflatable ‘meltdown’. Others took a more relaxed pace and played lawn games, cards, did jigsaw puzzles or simply enjoyed chatting with their friends. The atmosphere was overwhelmingly positive and it was a joy to see students taking time out of their busy schedules and connecting with each other.

Reuben Farr
Head of House Batavia

Term 2 is complete and we persevered through many hurdles to finish well.  The beginning of the term saw everyone coming back into the classroom for all year groups on a staggered system that finally had all students back face to face with their teachers. I’m so proud of how students settled back into their ‘normal’ routines despite the added measure of safe hygiene and the extra cleaning to ensure we are all safe while continuing high-quality learning.

Changes in how we were learning were ‘back to the norm’ but we gained some valuable understanding in how we can move to a more blended learning style to ensure we are using our best resources and maximizing learning for all students on their level. After the Earthquake of Christchurch in NZ, John Hattie commented about learning for all students, even though they might have lost some time in learning during the recovery process, the resilience in students’ overall achievement demonstrates how fast they actually caught up that time once back into the classroom. They had no trouble getting back into their learning journey while utilizing tools they gained during time away from the physical classroom, undertaking new manners of learning.

All Year groups have done well re-establishing their learning back in the physical classroom. While their ‘normal’ learning was disrupted, their learning has been seamless with the Teams online lessons and the number of possible learning opportunities on SEQTA and other resources that teachers have been working so hard to provide. Well done to students, families and teachers for supporting students learning during this difficult time.

Senior students, Years 10-12, have just finished exams and Lower Secondary have just completed final assessments of the semester. This is a time of reflection and to re-evaluate learning goals for semester two. Parent/Student/Teacher interviews would have been this past week for Years 9 and 12.  Monday, 20 July is the next set for Years 7-8, Years 10-11 where students and their families can discuss achievement and how to move forward into semester two.

Also, Curriculum Selection Evening is coming up on 28 July. This is an important information evening for families to speak with teachers, Heads of Learning and the Curriculum Team to make decisions about subjects and courses students will take in the 2021 Academic year. This evening will be an opportunity to get more information about the process of choosing subjects and courses as well as gaining information concerning the journey to WACE. More information to come in the coming weeks.

All the best, enjoy the break and be recharged ready for Term 3!

Warm regards

Kimberly Eyre

Dean of Studies

Mathematics is hands-on hard work!

During the first semester, our Pre Primary 2 students busily settled into full-time schooling and started more formalised learning.

As teachers, we endeavour to make learning engaging with concrete materials and games. It is hard work and our young students have risen to the challenge of being extended in their thinking to demonstrate their amazing mathematical skills. We are excited to share a snap-shot of some of the wonderful learning we captured during our Mathematics lessons.

These photographs highlight our learning in Number, Patterns, Geometry (2D shapes and 3D objects) and Measurement (Time).

Enjoy asking your children to explain what they were learning in some of these photographs!

Wendy McCracken
Pre Primary 2

The Visual Arts Department is delighted to announce that the School Curriculum and Standards Authority of Western Australia (SCSA) has offered to purchase one of Abigail Hunt’s artworks. Abigail was a 2019 LJBC Visual Arts student whose work achieved excellent results in the WACE practical exam and her triptych is currently on display in the Pulse Perspectives Exhibition at the Art Gallery of WA.

SCSA is purchasing one of the three works that make up her body of work, “the straight line is godless”. The oil painting on silk screen will be displayed in the foyer of the SCSA offices and will be used for teacher professional development. We congratulate Abigail on this fine achievement.

Liz Gray
Visual Arts Teacher

WOW (women’s only workouts) club is a new initiative that has kicked off this year to increase the girls sporting culture at the College. Every Wednesday morning at 7.30am, a number of ladies across the year levels meet in the sports centre to tackle that mornings workout. Workouts include fitness games, boxing, circuits and body weight exercises. This is a great way for our female students to connect with each other while in a relaxed, fun and practical environment before the school day starts. These mornings are a great way to start the day and actives the girl’s brains, ready to consume the days learning content. This club is continuously growing, we are always welcoming new members so if you aren’t involved but wish too, feel free to turn up and bring a few friends.

Ava

Year 12 Sport Captain

We have reached the end of Semester 1. I am proud of how well all the Arcadians have adapted and pushed through the changes we all had to make due to COVID-19. It speaks volumes about character and resilience, so well-done Arcadia House!

Thank you to all the Year 9 students who participated in the Wii Games last term, at this stage we are still in the draw for first place. Currently our Year 8 students are battling it out with the other Houses, and in Term 3 our Year 7 teams will finalise the battle. Go Year 7’s and 8’s! Get us that win!  

More exciting news! The Athletics Carnival is happening in Week 5 of Term 3, make sure you participate and bring the point’s home.

Arcadia House Fundraiser with James House and Cumberland House

Please support our fundraiser, collecting cans and food for Foodbank Western Australia. Due to all the changes over the last couple months, Foodbank has supported so many families to get them through very difficult times. Please support this worthy cause by donating canned foods, canned fruit, canned vegetables and long-life milk, tuna etc. For further information please visit www.foodbank.org.au and read up on fighting hunger in Australia to see what type of items you can donate. We will also be selling brownies prepared by our hospitality students in a COVID-19 safe way, and having a sausage sizzle in Term 3 on a pre-order basis.

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow. Helen Keller.

Enjoy your holidays, stay safe and rest well!

Santie Brink

Head of Arcadia House

The Cadets need to be congratulated on the way they have navigated their way through this term (pun intended) with all of its challenges.

A few of our senior leaders took on the challenge of presenting some of the training sessions online with Teams and did an admirable job of engaging their counterparts during these sessions. Since we have been meeting on site, our younger leaders have had the opportunity to step up as well, working alongside our recruits and running training in knot tying, tent maintenance, search techniques and compass use.

Fun was had by all playing laser tag around the school one afternoon and completing an obstacle course on another. Many had the opportunity to face their fears when WA Reptiles visited to give us some insight into snake behaviour and an opportunity to handle a variety of snakes, large and small.

We ended the term on a high with a day trip to Kerem Adventure Camp. Cadets displayed their capabilities on the high ropes and climbing wall and finished the day with an all-out colour war which was as much fun as is sounds.

Next term we are looking forward to being able to run our first camp for the year which is planned for 27 – 29 August at Bickley Outdoor Recreation Campsite where we will be spending two nights in tents.

If you have any queries relating to the Cadet program, please contact Mrs Jenny Pontarelli on 9300 744 or via email Jenny.Pontarelli@ljbc.wa.edu.au.

Jenny Pontarelli

Unit Leader

It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness – Chinese proverb

We spoke to…

Find out what advice Nic Stephens would give to his Year 11/12 ‘school self’….

In conversation with past student Nic, winner of the 2019 Outstanding Collegian Award and the second tallest surfer in the norther suburbs – read more about his story here .

PCA Outstanding Collegian Award

The 2020 #PCA Outstanding Collegian Award is here again! Applications for the $2 500 award opens on Monday 6 July 2020. All past students (collegians) can apply for the award.
Amy Frost, the winner of the 2018 award, explains in this short video how easy it is to apply for the award…

WHO are our LJBC business owners? - #communitysupportingcommunity

The list is growing and you can find out here who the LJBC Business Owners are.

If you know of a service provider who is a current family, collegians (past students) or a past staff member, and they are not yet in our LJBC directory, then feel free to invite them to jump on board at https://b2me.com.au/about/lake-joondalup-baptist-college---ljbc

To find out more about the PCA:

Watch our short video here PCA Networking - March 2020

Follow the PCA Facebook Page

Join the conversation 

#communitysupportcommunity initiative: Who are our LJBC business owners?

Chaleen Botha

President of the Parents & Collegians Auxiliary