Digital Learning

(Repeat)

Hi everyone,

Welcome back to school for Term 4! It is hard to believe we are only a few short months away from the end of the year.

Over the year, students and families have engaged in conversations about gaming and interacting with others online. Below are a couple of steps families can take to ensure our Willy Kids, who enjoy playing games online, do so safely and respectfully.

1. Research and discuss

Before allowing your child to play a game, research its purpose and rating together. Encourage them to be involved in the decision-making process and have conversations about game preferences and suitability.

2. Foster responsibility

As your child grows older, involve them in establishing rules and expectations for gaming within your family. Negotiate the types of games to play at different times, considering factors such as bedtime and their ability to switch off appropriately.

3. Prioritise online safety

Teach your child about privacy settings, the importance of using non-identifying usernames, and the need to remain vigilant against potential attempts to solicit personal information. Empower them to report inappropriate content and block users if necessary.

4. Promote positive interactions

Encourage your child to contribute positively to the gaming community while also calling out negative behaviour. Emphasise the significance of creating a safe and friendly environment for everyone through their actions and words.

5. Integration of online and offline guidance

Recognise that the online gaming world is connected to your child's offline life. By providing guidance, setting expectations, and fostering open discussions in both realms, you can help them navigate the gaming world responsibly.

For more information about gaming online, you can find great resources via the Alanna & Madeline Foundation

Warm regards,

Steven Puhar

Apps List 2023

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 as a tool within a blended learning environment.

JB HiFi Digital Purchase Portal 2023/2024

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.

School Code: WilliamstownPS2024

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:

http://williamstownps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2020-GoogleSuite-Parent-Information.pdf