From the Assistant Principal
Adele Brice
Dear Parents/Carers,
In this edition of the newsletter I will share the following information with you:
- Child Safe - DRAFT Digital Learning Policy
- Child Safe - Cyber Safety Project webinar series update
- Child Safe - eSafety Commissioner - Safer Online Gaming
- Child Safe - eSafety Commissioner webinar series update
- Disability Inclusion #AllmeansALL
- Volunteer Childsafe training Term 4 sessions
- State School's Relief - supporting children with uniform requirements etc
Childsafe update
Digital Learning Policy Review
Our Digital Learning Policy is up for review and it is important that all students and members of our school community understand:
- our commitment to providing students with the opportunity to benefit from digital technologies to support and enhance learning and development at school including our 1-to-1 personal device program
- expected student behaviour when using digital technologies including the internet, social media, and digital devices (including computers, iPads and Smart Watches)
- the school’s commitment to promoting safe, responsible and discerning use of digital technologies, and educating students on appropriate responses to any dangers or threats to wellbeing that they may encounter when using the internet and digital technologies
- our school’s policies and procedures for responding to inappropriate student behaviour on digital technologies and the internet
- the various Department policies on digital learning, including social media, that our school follows and implements when using digital technology
- our school prioritises the safety of students whilst they are using digital technologies
We welcome your feedback or ideas regarding our approach to our DRAFT Digital Learning PolicyIf you have any suggestions or comments, please contact me via adele.brice@education.vic.gov.au by Friday 6th September.
CYBER SAFETY PROJECT Webinar Series 2024
We have continued to partner with trusted eSafety Provider Cyber Safety Project to bring parents and guardians six webinars exploring all facets of cyber safety. Join the Cyber Safety Project and special guest experts as they explore a diverse range of topics pertinent to raising children in a digital age.
- Building Digital Resilience | 3 September 2024
Ash Manuel (Growing with Gratitude) & Trent Ray (Cyber Safety Project) - My First Mobile Device | 22 October 2024
Luca Gennai (Cyber Safety Project) & Trent Ray (Cyber Safety Project)
Protecting Children Online Kristi McVee (Child Abuse Prevention & Education) & Trent Ray (Cyber Safety Project)
The Se*ual World of the 21st Century AdolescentDaniel Principe (Collective Shout) & Trent Ray (Cyber Safety Project)
Talk to Me First: Exposure to Explicit Content Justine Keily-Scott (Sex Education Australia) & Sam Macaulay (Cyber Safety Project)
Game Aware – Healthy Gaming |
Andrew Kinch (Game Aware) & Sam Macaulay (Cyber Safety Project)
WHERE
Live online via Zoom with on-demand rewatch (available within 24 hours of live webinar).All live webinars begin at 7:30pm (AEDT/AEST) and run for approximately 45 minutes.
HOW
Parents/Guardians need to register for each webinar by clicking on the “Register Now” button on the registration page (https://cybersafetyproject.com.au/parents/). Once registered reminders will be sent to ensure you don’t miss the live webinar. Rewatch on-demand will be available by revisiting the registration page and clicking on the ‘Watch Now” button available after the webinar has concluded (within 24 hours).
REGISTER NOW OR FIND OUT MORE:https://cybersafetyproject.com.au/parents/
eSafety Commissioner
In each newsletter I share information provided for parents by the eSafety Commissioner. The eSafety Commissioner recommends Social Media is only accessed by children 13+ years, and this age limit also applies to many online games.
We are aware that many of our students are engaged in online gaming, so given this information, the following information published by the eSafety Commissioner is shared with you.
Safer online gaming
Make gaming a safe and enjoyable part of family life by learning about:
- setting up games so they are safe
- making friends in games
- reporting issues in games.
eSafety Commissioner Webinar Series
We encourage you to explore the eSafety Commissioners website which contains invaluable information for parents regarding online safety.
The 2024 parent/carer webinar schedule is listed below for your reference;
Disability Inclusion
The Disability Inclusion Reform implores #AllmeansALL.
The 2020 GEM Report on 'Inclusion and Education shares the following: All means all' calls on countries to concentrate on those being left behind and to move towards inclusion and education. This video provides an overview of how education that is not inclusive affects children, and what can be done to promote change and ensure all children have access to an inclusive and equitable quality education.
Volunteer Childsafe training Term 4 sessions
We are mandated (without exemption) to provide training for all volunteers working in our school. It's a requirement that our staff and volunteers are equipped with knowledge, skills and awareness to keep young people safe through ongoing education and training. Training is required to be updated annually. All volunteers will need to have completed annual training prior to working/supporting with students in any capacity.
Term 4 Volunteer Training session on offer for Term 4 are listed below. Please be aware of when your annual training expires and join one of the online sessions. The details for the sessions are listed below, you can also find the link on the Sentral Parent Calendar.
Thursday 17th October 4.45-5.15pm (online)
https://eduvic.webex.com/eduvic/j.php?MTID=m3d5bc818708fed2d6bebfbbb66e62d6f
Tuesday 12th November 5.00-5.30pm (online)
https://eduvic.webex.com/eduvic/j.php?MTID=mb68e5bebbcf9777175a270e453d54484
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you require further information on anything shared with you in this edition of the newsletter.
State School's Relief
State Schools’ Relief (SSR) is a not-for-profit organisation that improves the lives of tens of thousands of disadvantaged Victorian students, and their families, each year.
Their simple and practical service ensures that all students can attend school in warmth and comfort with a greater sense of belonging and improved self-esteem, which in turn enhances their educational engagement.
SSR provides government school students with new uniforms, footwear and educational resources, including learning devices. They work side by side with all Victorian primary, secondary, specialist and language schools to ensure that any students facing hardship have the necessary items they require for school.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require support with uniform (including bathers, underwear, school bags, shoes etc)
Adele Brice - Assistant Principal