1. Check your bank account details
- Update them if you need to.
My News: January 2026
Get ready for your Semester 1 scholarship payment
Semester 1 Scholarship payments start in early January.
Do these two things now to avoid payment delays. Log in to My Smith Family and:
2. Check if any documents are due
- If it says, “School Report due”, upload the end of year School Report when you get it from your school.
- If you’re not asked for a School Report, you don’t need to do anything.
Semester 1 Scholarship payments – what to expect
Children in Year 10 or below in 2026:
- Payment by Monday, 19 January.
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.
Want to know your payment amount? Visit the Payments page in My Smith Family.
Social media changes – starting 10 December
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.
The social media restrictions are about protection, not punishment.
This change gives kids more time to grow, learn important skills and build confidence before using apps that can have risks. It’s a chance to create healthy online habits and learn how to navigate the digital world more safely.
You can find more resources for you and your child on our Digital Skills hub.
Join our Family Feedback Group for 2026!
We are looking for a group of Learning for Life families to help us by sharing their thoughts about My Smith Family next year. This will happen over 6 months.
During this time, you can take part in surveys, interviews, and online activities. Your ideas will help us make My Smith Family better for everyone.
If you are chosen, you will see new features first, get updates about how your feedback is used, and sometimes get a gift card as a thank you.
Have your say! Register your interest below.
During this time, you can take part in surveys, interviews, and online activities. Your ideas will help us make My Smith Family better for everyone.
If you are chosen, you will see new features first, get updates about how your feedback is used, and sometimes get a gift card as a thank you.
Have your say! Register your interest below.
We’d love to hear what you think!
At the end of each article, click the ‘thumbs up’ or ‘thumbs down’ buttons. You can also write a comment if you want. This helps us know what you like and what we can do better.
You can also read past editions of My News, watch webinars, and log in to My Smith Family.
You can also read past editions of My News, watch webinars, and log in to My Smith Family.
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