Mrs Gregory takes us on a sneak peek of the Performing Arts Precinct & Gym!

Our students recently demonstrated outstanding skill, dedication, and sportsmanship at both national and international levels in martial arts competitions.

Australian Taekwondo National Championships – Adelaide 2025

Dates: 3–5 October 2025
Venue: South Australia Netball Centre, Mile End, Adelaide

Congratulations to our students for their impressive performances:

• Daham W (Yr 7) – Competed in Sparring (Black Belt Male Cadet 12–14 years, 37.1–41 kg) and Individual Poomsae (2nd Dan Black Belt, 12–14 years).

• Amal W (Yr 6) – Competed in Sparring (Black Belt Male 10–11 years, 28.1–31 kg) and earned a Bronze medal in Individual Poomsae (2nd Dan Black Belt, 10–11 years).

• Ethan L (Yr 6) – Competed in Sparring (Black Belt Male 10–11 years, 34.1–38 kg).

• Juwon H (Yr 5) – Crowned Australian National Champion 2025, winning Gold in Sparring (Black Belt Male 10–11 years, 42.1–46 kg) and participated in Individual Poomsae (2nd Dan Black Belt, 10–11 years).

• Bryson S (Yr 2) – Competed in Sparring (Blue Belt Male 8–9 years, 25.1–28 kg).

International Success – Matt Fiddes MMA Championships, UK

• Lacey O (Yr 9) – Competed at the Matt Fiddes Mixed Martial Arts International Championships in Bath, UK. As the youngest 2nd Dan black belt in her division, Lacey faced competitors of all ages and earned a Bronze medal in Individual Kata after performing her routine twice due to a tie for third place.

We are incredibly proud of all our students for their dedication, focus, and achievements in both national and international competitions. These results reflect their hard work, resilience, and passion for martial arts and they continue to inspire the TLC community!

As we wrap up another wonderful year for TLCCA, I want to start by saying a huge thank you to everyone who has given their time, energy, and ideas this year. Our community spirit has truly been on display through every event, every meeting, and every act of volunteering.

This year, we’ve invested a total of $26,700 back into our College through eight fantastic projects, including VEX Robotics equipment, a washer and dryer for the Sports Department, storage upgrades for Visual Arts, Year 1 outdoor improvements, a jumbo chess set with storage, new House banners, Prep playground equipment, and permanent tables for the Year 1 and 2 outdoor area. Each of these projects adds value to our students’ everyday experience and leaves a lasting legacy.

Our Second Hand Uniform Shop, under the outstanding leadership of Renee CO, continues to be our main fundraiser and an incredible community service. Between November 2024 and August 2025, the SHUS saved TLC families $45,548 by offering quality pre-loved uniforms and returned $20,441 to families who sold through the shop. That’s a real impact, sustainable, practical, and community minded.

A big thank you also goes to our Treasurer Mike, who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes on grant applications. Thanks to his effort, TLCCA has already secured City of Moreton Bay grants for next year’s Picnic in the Park and Harmony Day. And of course, a heartfelt thank you to Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway and the City of Moreton Bay Council for their ongoing support of our school community.

To our incredible volunteers, from stall helpers and sausage sizzlers to meeting attendees and project champions and the 2025 TLCCA Executive Committee, Erin, Mike, Amy and Renee – thank you. You are all the heart of TLCCA.

Finally, on a personal note, this will be my last Tidings article as President. It’s been an honour and a joy to serve in this role and to be part of such a dedicated, generous, and positive community. I’m so proud of what we have achieved together and confident TLCCA will continue to thrive under new leadership.

Thank you all for your support, and for everything you do for The Lakes College community.

Kristina Petho

2025/2026 TLCCA Executive

We are pleased to introduce our 2025/2026 TLCCA Executive, elected at last week’s AGM. Congratulations to Rob L, who steps into the role of President, and to Keira T, our new Vice President. We extend our thanks to all continuing office holders for their ongoing dedication and service to our College community.

RED BAG APPEAL | TLC are on board again this year we want to beat our 2024 efforts!!! More and more Queenslanders are living on or below the poverty line. Wesley Mission Queensland's Red Bag Appeal is an annual drive that gives Christmas groceries to a Queensland family in need. Fill a grocery bag from home and bring it in or collect a red bag from the office and bring it back by 20 November, or buy a 'virtual red bag' via Spriggy (events).

Here's Your Shopping List:

• Long-life custard and milk
• Tinned meat (hams, salmon, tuna, chicken, corned beef
• Tea and coffee (small)
• Puddings
• Chocolates, biscuits and lollies
• Savouries and nuts
• Tinned fruit
• Soft drinks and cordial
• Christmas bonbons
• Non-perishable tinned food items
• Toiletries (male and female)
• Toys for children (6-10 years)
• Christmas cake

Make sure you let us know who the bag is from if you are dropping it directly to the office because every bag returned will collect House points!

Tim McMenamin | Director of Mission & Service

As I’m sure you are aware, Australia is about to introduce one of the most significant changes we’ve seen in the way children interact with social media. From 10 December 2025, children under 16 will no longer be allowed to create or maintain social media accounts on major platforms.

I’ve seen this described in many articles as a “gift to parents,” and for many families, it may feel like that. For years, parents and carers have been asked to fight this battle alone. Now, for the first time, the responsibility to protect young people sits with the tech companies, not just at home.

Below is a guide to what’s changing, what’s not changing, and what it could mean for us as a College community. It’s not a short article, but we hope you find it useful.

1. What is the new rule?

Under Australia’s new Age Limit Policy for Account Creation:

• The minimum age for holding a social media account will rise from 13 to 16.
• Platforms will be required to take “reasonable steps” to enforce this age limit.
• If they don’t, they may face very large financial penalties.

In simple terms, a 14-year-old should not be able to have an Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X (Twitter), Facebook or YouTube account under their own name, and companies will be expected to actively prevent and remove those accounts.

This is a major shift. Until now, a 10 or 11-year-old could open an account by simply clicking “Yes, I am 13”, and that was often the end of it. The burden fell on parents and carers to say no and to try to hold that line while everyone else’s child seemed to be online.

The new model says: This is no longer just a parenting issue. This is a platform responsibility issue.

2. Is this a blanket “ban on the internet” for under-16s?

No. This is one of the most misunderstood points.

The policy is not about blocking content. Young people under 16 will still be able to:

• search for information,
• watch videos,
• read public posts.

They will still be able to access resources, learn, laugh, explore interests, listen to Taylor Swift’s new album, follow sport, watch tutorials, and so on.

What changes is the relationship between the child and the tech company.

Right now, when a young person signs up for an account, they effectively enter a contract with that company. They hand over data. The platform starts to profile them, track what they watch, learn who they talk to, and feed them more of what will keep them scrolling. In the words often used by researchers and regulators, the design is intended to keep them “engaged,” which in practice often means “unable to put the phone down.”

From December 2025, companies will not be permitted to form that kind of data-driven, commercial relationship with under-16s.

The idea is not: “you can’t watch YouTube.” The idea is: “YouTube (and similar platforms) shouldn’t be harvesting a 13-year-old’s data, building a psychological profile, and feeding them an endless personalised stream to maximise time-on-screen.”

That distinction is important.

3. Why is Australia doing this?

The argument behind the policy is straightforward:

• Social media is built to capture attention. The more time a user spends on the platform, the more valuable they are.
• Children and young teens are particularly vulnerable to addictive design, peer comparison, sleep disruption, and exposure to harmful or extreme material.
• Parents and carers often know this, and many would prefer their children to wait, but feel stuck. “If I keep my child off Instagram, and everyone else in Year 7 is on Instagram, I’m isolating my child.”

By lifting the minimum age to 16 and making it universal, the policy aims to:

• Remove the social pressure on individual families (“we’re not the only ones saying no”).
• Delay the rush into highly social, highly performative online spaces in the cognitively crucial middle years.
• Give students more time to develop emotionally, socially and cognitively before stepping into environments that can reward drama, comparison and risk.

There is also a bigger-picture element here. Australia is signalling that tech companies should not be allowed to treat young adolescents as “free inventory.” The policy treats this less like “screen time” and more like “commercial access to minors.”

4. Will teens really lose their accounts?

In many cases, yes.

A core requirement of the policy is that under-16s will not just be blocked from signing up; they also should not be allowed to keep an account if they are already below the age threshold. That means students who currently have active profiles may find those accounts restricted, suspended, or removed.

That will feel disruptive and intrusive in the short term. There will almost certainly be frustration, anger, and “but all my photos/messages/friends are there.”

It’s worth preparing for that conversation at home now, while it’s still hypothetical and not inflamed by emotion. Some conversation starters might include:

• “If your account disappeared tomorrow, how would you stay in contact with the people who really matter to you?”
• “What would you actually miss, versus what you think you’re meant to miss?”
• “Which parts of social media felt healthy, and which parts left you anxious, pressured or flat?”

Those conversations are emotionally safer before the account is gone.

5. Are there penalties for kids or for parents/carers?

No.

Children will not be fined or punished for getting around age rules, and neither will parents/carers. The policy is explicitly not about blaming families. It is about setting a national standard and then expecting tech companies to uphold it.

That’s a very important message to reinforce at home; “This is not because you’ve done something wrong. This is about adults deciding that some parts of the internet were being handed to kids too early and choosing to slow that down.”

6. What about school use of online content? Can classes still watch YouTube?

Yes.

One of the louder criticisms from industry is that “students won’t be able to access educational videos” without accounts. That’s not accurate.

Students will still be able to watch most public video content without logging in. Teachers will still be able to show clips in class, and students can still access material through SEQTA. What changes are personalised accounts, autoplaying personalised feeds, recommended rabbit holes, private messaging, and so on.

Different platforms will respond differently:

• Some (like YouTube) already allow broad public access without requiring a logged-in account.
• Others (like Instagram) lock down almost everything unless you’re logged in. For those platforms, under-16s in Australia will see very limited content because they won’t be allowed accounts in the first place.

In other words, companies can decide how “open” or “closed” they want to be to under-16s. The Australian Government is not telling a platform, “You must block all video content from a 14-year-old.” It is saying, “You cannot form a data-harvesting, behaviour-shaping commercial relationship with that 14-year-old.”

7. How will age be checked?

The policy requires platforms to take reasonable steps to confirm age. That may involve technical age estimation, parent/carer involvement, and other forms of age assurance.

Two key points for families:

1. The expectation is on the platforms to detect and act on underage accounts, not on parents to upload ID scans to every app.
2. The Australian regulator has publicly said that Australians should not be forced to use government ID to prove age online. Platforms will have to offer alternatives.

This space will continue to evolve, and there will be debate about privacy, accuracy, and mistaken takedowns. It won’t be perfectly smooth. But the general direction is now set.

8. What could be the upside for young people?

Students themselves have been telling us that they know social media is shaping them in ways they don’t always like. Many students we work with describe feeling constantly “on call,” constantly watched, constantly compared. Some even talk about looking forward to time without their phone because they feel more present, more rested, and less anxious. Indeed, our seniors this year led the charge with many taking Rev. Tim up on his challenge to take a ‘Digital Sabbath’.

The policy is trying to create more of that space. More time to sleep properly. More time to think without performing. More time to study without pop-up distractions engineered by adults with commercial targets. More time to just be with friends in real life, without the scoreboard of likes, streaks and followers.

From a wellbeing point of view, this is not a binary argument where “less tech = good, more tech = bad.” It’s about postponing the most addictive, most identity-shaping corners of social media until students are a little older and better equipped.

9. Where does this leave us as a school community?

In the next 12 months, we can expect:

• Students in the middle years talking (and worrying) about losing accounts.
• Families asking, “What will they do instead?” and “How do we help them stay connected safely?”
• Some messy moments where accounts disappear and friendships feel suddenly “out of the loop.”

As a College, we’ll keep doing what we’ve always tried to do:

• Support anything that makes young people safe.
• Teach digital literacy and digital wellbeing, not just “cyber safety rules.”
• Encourage students to think critically about how platforms are designed to keep them hooked.
• Support families in navigating the social side of this change, not just the technical side.

Looking ahead, there are also constructive opportunities we can lean into together:

• Normalising the delay. If “no social media accounts before 16” becomes the new cultural baseline, we can help students see that as a positive rite of passage rather than a punishment.
• Creating other spaces for connection. Sport, rehearsals, leadership programs, service opportunities, study groups — all of these become even more important if we are asking young people to step back from algorithm-driven social spaces. This is something we can strengthen at school.
• Naming the good. We can (gently) celebrate the upside of boredom, sleep, focus, and being IRL (In Real Life). In our experience, young people respond well to “this is what you gain,” not only “this is what you lose.”

In summary

• From 10 December 2025, under-16s in Australia will not be allowed to create or keep accounts on major social media platforms.
• This puts responsibility on the companies, not on parents/carers or students.
• Young people will still be able to watch most public content and access information but without being drawn into the data-heavy, highly personalised, endless doom scrolling experience that so often drives anxiety, distraction and comparison.
• There will be a transition period. It will feel bumpy. That’s OK.
• Long term, the aim is healthier habits, more genuine connection, and more agency for families.

We’ll continue to keep our community informed as the details settle and as platforms roll out their responses. In the meantime, it may be worth starting the calm, future-looking conversations at home, not about “losing an app,” but about protecting childhood.

Thanks for your time,

Anna Dore and Mathew Stein | Deputy Principals

PS: to read more, the e-Safety commissioner is a great place to stay updated. https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/257515/SMMA-Fact-Sheets-General.pdf

The Lakes College extends sincere thanks to our TLC Sponsors, whose steadfast support plays a vital role in fostering the overall development and wellbeing of our students. We acknowledge and value the dedication of the businesses listed below, whose investments directly enrich the educational journey of our students. Their contributions provide invaluable resources and open doors to opportunities that might not have been accessible otherwise. We are truly grateful for their commitment to enhancing the educational experiences at The Lakes College.

• Click here to find out more about becoming a TLC Sponsor

Gold Sponsor: Luxury Lifestyle Homes

Luxury Lifestyle Homes exemplifies unparalleled excellence in the design and construction of dream homes in Brisbane. With meticulous attention to detail, they are dedicated to transforming visions into reality. What sets Luxury Lifestyle Homes apart is their fusion of precise workmanship and proven processes, ensuring clients receive a home that is not only tailored to their exact specifications but is also completed on time, within budget and without stress. The team at Luxury Lifestyle Homes takes pride in bringing dream homes to life, creating a delightful and stress-free experience for their clients throughout the entire process. https://luxlifehomes.com.au

Gold Sponsor: Family First Care

Quality in-home nursing services that put you and your family first. We don’t just focus on quality nursing services. We’re committed to helping you lead a healthier, active, more fulfilling life. Our focus is YOU. Our focus is our partners and their FAMILY. We want the best outcome for you. https://www.familyfirstcare.co...

Community Sponsor: North Lakes & Surrounds Electrical

Since 2004, North Lakes & Surrounds Electrical have been the local electrician serving the North Lakes community. As a family-owned and locally operated electrical contracting business, they have successfully contributed to the growth and development of the Moreton Bay Region. When you choose their services, you are not just hiring an electrician; you are investing in a relationship built on trust and expertise. North Lakes Electrician | North Lakes & Surrounds Electrical (northlakeselectrical.com)

Community Sponsor: The Vinyl Loft

The Vinyl Loft stands as a prominent player in the Australian vinyl crafting sector, consistently advancing and establishing a renowned position for delivering high-quality branded vinyl with a commitment to exceptional customer service. As an authorised Australian supplier, The Vinyl Loft offers a comprehensive range of quality branded vinyl, DTF Transfers, blanks, tools, and accessories, catering to diverse crafting and business requirements. https://www.thevinylloft.com.a...

Community Sponsor: The Yiros Shop North Lakes

Since 2015, The Yiros Shop has believed in serving only the best to our community across Brisbane and now wider Queensland. Their meals are authentic and fresh, adding a modern twist to traditional Greek favourites by focusing on locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. The Yiros Shop are proud to be a family owned and operated business carrying recipes down through generations and creating the best Greek food choice around. https://theyirosshop.com.au/

Community Sponsor: Easy As Driver Training

Jacqui & Warren from EasyAs Driver Training as proud TLC Parents and big supporters of our TLC Swim Club, coming on board this year as our inaugural TLC Swim Club Community Sponsor. If you're here to learn to drive then EasyAs Driver Training is the right place for you. We are long established and recognised for excellence. https://easyasdta.com.au/

Community Sponsor: Pizza Hut Mango Hill

Got a craving for a delicious pizza in Mango Hill? Us too! What you should do is make haste to the Mango Hill Pizza Hut store at Shop 2, 2 Halpine Drive, serving up piping hot pizza for lunch and dinner every day of the week! https://www.pizzahut.com.au/st...

Community Sponsor: AIM Retirement Planning

AIM Retirement Planning is an owner-operated Financial Planning business founded with a clear purpose: to enhance the financial well-being of everyday Australians through affordable and cost-effective solutions. http://aimrp.com.au