StACTalks: Digital Well-Being, Connection, and Identity
On Tuesday evening, over 120 parents attended our annual StACTalk on Digital Well-being, with a strong focus on supporting our students to develop a healthy, balanced approach to technology.
To see the handout shared on St Andrew's philosophy for best supporting technology use, please click here.
The evening highlighted the importance of the Preparatory School years as a “training wheels” stage – a time to build positive habits, set clear boundaries, and guide children before they move into more independent digital use. Insights from Head of Guidance, Tom Matthews, and Head of Well-being, Kerry Larby, reinforced the connection between technology, brain development, and well-being, while Head of Middle School, Matt Parr, outlined how digital issues can emerge in later years, underscoring the value of getting the early foundations right.
Preparatory School Deputy Principal, Vicki Pettit, shared encouraging progress from the Hold the Line ‘til Year 9 initiative. With close to half of our Preparatory students now covered by the pledge, we are seeing fewer online-related issues impacting school life and a growing sense of shared responsibility across our community. At the same time, ongoing challenges – particularly around sleep and evening device use – remain an important focus for families.
A consistent message throughout the evening was the importance of partnership. Simple, practical steps – such as establishing clear family agreements, keeping devices out of bedrooms, and maintaining open conversations – can make a significant difference.
Development remains at the forefront of our practice. Around the world, there is growing recognition of the need for thoughtful boundaries that support young people to grow with confidence and clarity. This aligns strongly with our approach at St Andrew’s: promoting free, unstructured play, modelling balanced technology use, and introducing social media gradually and intentionally – ideally not before age 16, and delaying smartphones until at least Year 9.
This global momentum reinforces our Hold the Line ‘til Year 9 initiative, which continues to gain strong support within our community. We encourage all Preparatory School families to consider joining this collective commitment, helping our young people build healthy habits, maintain focus, and thrive.
Please note, a video recording of this StACTalks session will be shared with all parents/caregivers via email.
Hold the Line Update
We now have close to 50% of ākonga signed up to Hold the Line ‘til Year 9, representing 14 classes with an active pledge. Three further classes – 4S, 2T and 7T – are just a small number of families away from activating their pledge.
If you would like to learn more, please contact Vicki Pettit at VPE@stac.school.nz, or read more and sign the pledge via the link below.
Sign the Hold the Line Pledge by clicking here.
