My News: December 2025
Keep your details up to date
It’s important to keep your details up to date so you don’t miss out on messages or offers from us.
Log in to My Smith Family to check:
- Your contact details (like your email, mobile number and home address)
- Your personal information (like your cultural background, health or work situation)
Semester 1 Scholarship payments – what to expect
Children in Year 11 or 12 in 2026: payment after 13 January, once we receive their Study Plan.
We’ll send you an email or SMS in early January with what you need to do
If you have more than one child, payments may arrive on different days. Each child’s payment is sent separately.
Want to know your payment amount? Visit the Payments page in My Smith Family.
From 10 December 2025, children under 16 years old will not be able to create or keep accounts on some social media platforms. This includes TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and YouTube.
This change might feel big and upsetting for your child. Here are some ways you can help:
Talk about it together. Ask how they feel and listen to their worries. The eSafety website has tips to help start the conversation.
Find out what they enjoy most online. Is it chatting with friends, watching funny videos, or sharing creative posts?
Look for safe and age-appropriate alternatives. eSafety has a guide with ideas for other apps and activities that help kids stay connected, express themselves and have fun.
Work as a team. Try reducing screen time as a family. Keep talking and let your child know they can come to you anytime. If they find the change hard, ReachOut has a parent’s guide that can help.
You know your child best. If you need help, support is available.
The eSafety website has easy-to-follow videos, FAQs and practical advice for parents, carers and young people.
Offers can include subscriptions to online learning platforms, free mobile internet SIM cards, or matched savings programs.
Not all offers are available to everyone. Some offers, like online learning programs, are based on school year level or have eligibility criteria.
You can log in to My Smith Family to explore the offers available for your family.
Build money skills and double your savings, up to $500!
- Gain smart ways to save and budget
- Plan ahead for school and life expenses
- Get your savings matched up to $500!
It’s a great way to feel more confident with money and get rewarded for your efforts!
Extra English or Maths support for your child
These online tools use fun, game-based activities that adjust to your child’s learning level. Whether they need extra help or are ready for a challenge, the activities are personalised to help build confidence and skills in English, reading or Maths.
You can choose from platforms like ABC Reading Eggs, LiteracyPlanet and Matific, depending on what your child needs most.
End of year School Reports
Sharing this report with us helps us understand your child’s year at school. We look at:
- Attendance
- Maths and English results
- Teacher comments
- Areas where your child might need extra help
6 November - International Day against violence and bullying at school
Bullying is mean and hurtful behaviour that happens over and over again. It can occur in schools or online. This is called cyberbullying.
If you’re worried your child might be experiencing bullying, here are some steps you can take:
- Talk to your child - Listen calmly and reassure them that it’s not their fault.
- Contact the school – Teachers are trained to handle bullying. They will work on steps to prevent it and provide support for your child.
- Seek professional support – Talk to your school’s counsellor or your GP if you feel your child needs extra help.
If your child is being cyberbullied, you can find some helpful ideas on our Information Hub.
You may also like to explore the Raising Children website for useful information and resources about bullying.
Remember, your Family Partnership Coordinator is here to support you. They can help you navigate working with the school and provide guidance on support services, if you decide that's what you need. You can find their contact details in My Smith Family.
We’d love to hear what you think!
You can also read past editions of My News, watch webinars, and log in to My Smith Family.
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