Wellbeing
At St Bede's we are SAFE Online
Recently at St Bede's we have been having many conversations with our students about the importance of staying SAFE Online. This part of our Expectation Matrix, highlights 3 expectations of our students which include:
Keeping personal information to yourself
Use equipment for it's purpose
Talk to a trusted adult if you feel unsafe
Below is some information for you about how our Chromebooks are setup for safety. It has been provided by Graham who is our school IT Support Technician.
How Chromebooks are Set Up with GoGuardian for Home Use
When Chromebooks are used by students at St Bedes, they’re set up with GoGuardian, a tool that helps keep students safe and focused online.
When your child is using a Chromebook at home with GoGuardian, here's what you need to know:
Monitoring and Filtering: GoGuardian is a software that helps monitor what students do on the Chromebook. It makes sure that students only visit websites that are safe and appropriate for learning. If a student tries to visit something inappropriate or harmful, GoGuardian can block the site and/or alert a teacher.
Limited Access to Certain Websites and Apps: To keep students focused on their schoolwork, GoGuardian may restrict access to certain websites and apps that aren’t related to school activities. For example, social media, gaming sites, or inappropriate videos on entertainment platforms like YouTube may be blocked while using the Chromebook for school purposes.
- Activity Tracking: GoGuardian helps track the websites and apps that students visit while using their Chromebook. This is done to ensure they stay safe online and focus on learning.
If Parents wish we can set them up with a parent app, with the ability to create reports about what their kids have been doing. Please email support@sbedesbn.catholic.edu.au if this is something you would like to explore further.
No Access to Personal Data: GoGuardian only monitors activity on the Chromebook and doesn't access personal information like photos or documents unless they are school-related. The system is focused on online safety and learning.
- Internet Filters Are Not Foolproof: While GoGuardian provides strong protections, it’s important to note that no internet filter is perfect. Some inappropriate content may still slip through, and students may sometimes find ways to bypass restrictions. Parents should stay involved and have open conversations with their kids about safe internet use.
In short, GoGuardian is there to help keep students safe and ensure they stay on track with their schoolwork while using the Chromebook.
Take care,
Justin McFarlane
Student Wellbeing Leader