Deputy Principal's Message
St Fidelis' Catholic Primary School
Be Safe Online, Day and Night
Dear Families,
On Thursday, 10 September, our students will participate in an engaging cybersafety session through the eSafety Commissioner’s learning platform. The session will provide students with age-appropriate information and activities to help them understand how to stay safe, respectful and responsible when using the internet.
We are also excited to offer parents and carers the opportunity to attend an information session with renowned cybersafety expert, Susan McLean. This will be a valuable opportunity to learn more about the online world our children are navigating and practical strategies families can use to support safe and healthy technology use at home.
As part of our Safe Internet Day activities, we are inviting students to wear their pyjamas to school as part of a fundraising day! A gold coin will be appreciated.
Our theme for the day is: “Be Safe Online, Day and Night!”
While pyjamas are usually associated with bedtime, they will serve as a fun reminder that technology has a place and a time — and bedtime should be a time to switch off!
We encourage families to talk about healthy technology habits at home, including:
- Keep devices out of bedrooms overnight
- Avoid screens and devices before bedtime
- Have agreed times for devices to be switched off
- Charge phones, tablets and other devices in a shared family space
- Make sleep, rest and wellbeing a priority
- Talk to a trusted adult about anything online that feels uncomfortable or worrying
By working together, we can help our children develop positive digital habits and understand that staying safe online matters at all times — including when it's time to switch off for the night.
Parent Cybersafety Information Night: Growing Up Online
Our Cybersafety session, Growing Up Online, on Thursday the 10th September is vital insight into how to keep your children safe online. As a school, we highly recommend that you attend.
This educational & empowering session for Parents and carers is run by Susan McLean from CyberSafety Solutions. Susan McLean established Cyber Safety Solutions in March 2007, and it has grown into one of Australia's most respected and in-demand cyber safety consultancies.
The session will cover the positive benefits of technology as well as what parents need to be aware of:
- Reality & Risk. The reality of the online world. It’s not a matter of if – rather, when.
- What are kids doing online? Learn the latest apps and platforms your kids are either on, want to be on or are being told about at school. TikTok, Omegle, Discord, Yolo, Wink & more.
- Online Grooming. What is it, and when/how does it occur? Preventative measures. What are the warning signs & what to do if you suspect this is happening to your child.
- Cyberbullying. What it is, where it happens, what it looks like, how to prevent it, and what to do if it occurs. Also the legal consequences and the possible criminal charges.
- Problematic Gaming. How to manage digital devices in your home to avoid problems and what to do if/when they arise.
- Exposure to damaging content. Including online pornography & sites that encourage suicide, self-harm & eating disorders.
- Top Tips. How to assist the children in your care to stay safe online with rules, parental controls, and restriction passcodes.
The session will conclude with time for questions.
Vira Pirrotta | Deputy Principal
Learning and Teaching /Learning Diversity Leader