Digital Learning

Hi everyone,

One of the most common questions parents ask is, "How much screen time is too much?" According to the eSafety Commissioner, there isn't a single answer. Rather than focusing only on the number of hours students spend on a device, it's equally important to consider what they are doing while they are online and whether there is a healthy balance between screen time and offline activities.

Not all screen time is the same. An hour spent creating a digital artwork, researching about a passion or video calling grandparents is very different from an hour of endlessly scrolling short-form videos. Quality screen time encourages creativity, problem-solving, learning and positive social connections, while lower-quality screen time is often passive and can leave children feeling tired, distracted or wanting "just one more video."

Five ways to improve the quality of your child's screen time

• Choose quality over quantity. Encourage activities that involve creating, learning, reading, coding, drawing or solving problems, rather than simply watching or scrolling.
• Be involved. Ask your child about the games they play, the videos they enjoy or the apps they use. Better still, play or explore together. Shared screen experiences build connection and provide opportunities to discuss online safety.
• Create balance. Make sure online activities don't replace sleep, physical activity, family time or opportunities to play outdoors. Healthy digital habits include plenty of time away from screens.
• Establish device-free times. Family meals, bedtime and time spent with friends are great opportunities to switch devices off and focus on being present with one another.
• Model healthy habits. Children notice how adults use technology. Putting our own devices away during conversations and family time shows that screens are a useful tool—but not the centre of family life.

We encourage students to use technology respectfully, make responsible choices online, learn through meaningful digital experiences and develop the resilience to find a healthy balance between the online and offline worlds.

By shifting the conversation from "How long?" to "How well?", families can help children build positive digital habits that will support their learning, wellbeing and relationships now and into the future.

For more information, please have a read: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice/screen-time

Warm regards,

Steven Puhar

Apps List 2026

WPS Digital Learning Statement

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 2025/2026

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: