(Repeat)

Hello everyone,

As we head towards the end of Term 2 we thought we would share some important information about gaming online. Winter holidays can see kids tucked up at home a little more than usual with lots of kids jumping online to play a range of games on devices such as PlayStation, X-Box, iPads and computers.

Below is some information from the eSafety Commissioner.

🎮 eSafety Parent Guide to Online Gaming

Online gaming is hugely popular with children and young people. This guide helps parents understand the benefits and risks, and how to support safe gaming habits at home.

✅ Benefits of Online Gaming

Social connection – many kids play games with friends and connect through multiplayer platforms.
Skill development – games can promote problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, and strategic thinking.
Entertainment and relaxation – gaming can be a fun way to unwind.

⚠️ Risks to Be Aware Of

Contact with strangers – many games allow chatting with others, including people your child doesn't know.
Cyberbullying or abusive behaviour – inappropriate language, exclusion, or targeting can happen during games.
In-game purchases – spending real money on virtual items, sometimes without understanding the cost.
Excessive gaming – spending too much time online can impact sleep, schoolwork, and relationships.
Inappropriate content – not all games are age-appropriate; some include violence, strong language, or adult themes.

👨‍👩‍👧 Tips for Parents

Stay involved – ask about the games your child plays and even play together.
Use parental controls – most devices and games have settings to manage who can contact your child, what they can access, and how much time they spend playing.
Talk regularly – keep an open dialogue about what’s happening in their online world.
Set clear boundaries – agree on screen time, appropriate games, and safe behaviours.
Encourage balance – make sure gaming doesn’t interfere with physical activity, sleep, or schoolwork.
Report and block – teach your child how to report abuse or block other players if needed.

🛡️ Helpful Tools & Resources

eSafety website: Offers advice on safe gaming and how to report serious online abuse.
Classification Board: Check the age rating of games before your child plays.
Game settings: Explore privacy, chat, and in-game spending options.

To round out the term, Mat and I will continue to run Grade 3/4 and 5/6 eSafety lessons next week. Below is a brief summary of the lessons.

Grade 3/4 – Posting Safely Online

Students explored what it means to share safely online and how to protect their privacy when using apps and websites.

Key Learning Points:

The importance of thinking before posting content, especially images or videos.
When and why to get permission before posting something that involves others.
How to protect personal details like location and school uniform in photos.
Understanding privacy settings and who the content should be shared with.
What to do if something shared online causes worry or harm.

Students also enjoyed a role-playing activity called the Hot Seat, where they stepped into the shoes of characters in an online dilemma. This helped them reflect on safe choices and respectful digital behaviour.

Grade 5/6 – Privacy, Security & Digital Footprints

Students focused on protecting personal information, identifying online strangers, and building awareness of their digital footprint.

Key Learning Points:

Understanding what counts as personal information and how to keep it private.
The meaning of cyberbullying and online grooming, and how to respond safely.
How to create strong passwords and recognise when an account might be compromised.
The legal age (13+) for most social media platforms and why these limits exist.
Recognising that what is shared online today can impact the future.

Students also completed a quiz, viewed videos about digital footprints, and discussed social media laws and safety strategies.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

We encourage you to speak with your child about their online habits. Ask them:

What did you learn that surprised you?
What apps do you use and how do you stay safe on them?
What does it mean to be a respectful digital citizen?

Together, we can help build responsible and confident digital users.

Regards,

Steven Puhar

Apps List 2025

WPS Digital Online Learning Statement

Digital Statement

Williamstown Primary School acknowledges the recent Human Rights Watch report on Edutech in privacy violations and findings.

Williamstown Primary works closely with the DET’s Digital Learning and privacy teams to ensure that all DET guidelines regarding the implementation of digital devices are followed.

Attached is the school’s digital statement outlining the online platforms and their privacy policies that the school uses on a day-to-day basis.

As part of the school’s ongoing student education, the school will further enhance key understandings around user privacy, as well as the tools available on selected devices.

This will be embedded within the current school’s eSafety program that currently sees students undertake numerous digital workshops run by both school leadership, classroom teachers and external providers such as the Alannah and Madeline Foundation’s eSmart organisation.

Parents are advised of a key iPad feature to turn tracking off. This feature will be explicitly demonstrated to students within the school-based workshops.

Go to Settings > Privacy > Tracking.

The list shows the apps that requested permission to track you. You can turn permission on or off for any app on the list.

To stop all apps from asking permission to track you, turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track (at the top of the screen).

Williamstown Primary Digital Information

Below is a link to the schools Digital Learning page. This page contains key information about the school's implementation of the digital technology curriculum as a tool within a blended learning environment.

JB HiFi Digital Purchase Portal 2024/2025

The JB HiFi purchase portal is again available for Willy PS families. The schools recommended minimum specification device is the iPad Gen 9, but the portal does also offer a range of iPad models and accessories. Although students have access to bluetooth keyboards we also recommend the Smart Keyboard or a 3rd party keyboard incorporated within the cover. This accessory will add value to the users experience.

Please also note the change in School Code.

Although the portal is set up through JB HI-FI on behalf of the school, we encourage families to explore all purchase options.

Further GoogleSuite for Education Information

Please find attached documents released by DET.

The first document gives a deeper understanding of the DET licences G Suite for Education, how it is set up and how it differs from the public Google platform.

The second document provides families with supporting resources on how to protect individuals privacy online.

The Department of Education information pack for parents is available from the following link:

Respect - Learning - Resilience - Responsibility