Cybersafety
At the beginning of each year, teachers conduct Cybersafety lessons for students using the eSafety Commissioner website resources. This platform has useful information and tools that parents and teachers can use to support the development of safe practices in the online world. You can access the website following this link.
Following the teaching of best practice in keeping students safe online, teachers introduce and/or remind students of the rules around access and use of technology in Catholic schools in the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle. They work through the Student User Agreement with all students K-6, which students then sign as a way of accepting their repsonsibility to make good choices and to follow the rules set down by the Diocese. This User Agreement is then included in a Newsletter and/or as a Newsfeed item for parents to become familiar with and to reinforce with their child/ren at home. It is important and preferred that we have parent support in complying with the rules to achieve the consistency that results in student understanding and therefore safety. Breaches of the agreement result in a suspension of access to technology at school for a period of time determined by the Assistant Principal in consultation with the Principal.
It is our understanding that several students have started to wear watches to school that have access to social media and/or the internet. Please note that this is a breach of the current policy. I think the best way to achieve the aims of the current school policy while addressing this new technology is to add it to our P&F and Staff meeting agenda. If you would like to contribuute to this discussion, please come along to our P&F or drop me an email with any suggestions to be considered in our decision making.
Thank you for taking the time to reinforce the rules in place at Holy Name to keep your children safe.