Deputy Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
Important Update – New User Agreement
Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS)
At Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools, digital technologies are used to enhance learning, creativity, communication, and collaboration. Technology supports student engagement and helps prepare children for learning and life in a digital world. At the same time, strong expectations are in place to ensure safe, responsible, and respectful use.
Purpose of Technology at St. Fidelis
Digital technologies are used to:
- Support teaching and learning
- Build students’ digital skills
- Encourage creativity and problem-solving
- Prepare students to be safe and responsible digital citizens
At St. Fidelis, students are taught to:
- Use technology respectfully, responsibly, and safely
- Protect their personal information
- Treat others with kindness and respect online
- Understand the risks of the online environment
- Report anything that makes them feel uncomfortable
At St. Fidelis, we actively teach:
- Online safety strategies
- How to identify and respond to unsafe situations
- Responsible social media behaviour (where age-appropriate)
- Cyberbullying prevention and reporting
Students are expected to:
- Follow school rules for ICT use
- Use devices and the internet only for learning purposes
- Respect school equipment and the property of others
- Avoid accessing inappropriate or unsafe content
Any misuse of technology, including cyberbullying, inappropriate messaging, or unsafe online behaviour, is taken seriously and managed in line with the school’s behaviour and wellbeing policies.
Privacy and Data Protection
The school is committed to:
- Protecting student and family privacy
- Securely storing personal information
- Using digital systems responsibly and in line with privacy laws
Parent Partnership
Families play an important role in supporting safe technology use by:
- Encouraging healthy screen time habits
- Talking with children about online safety
- Monitoring online activity at home
- Reinforcing respectful online behaviour
Schools and families working together help ensure students develop safe, positive, and responsible digital habits.
At the end of 2025, MACS published a new ICT and Digital Technologies policy and Student User Agreement. The policy is attached below, and the ICT agreement will be sent home to families shortly. While our school has already issued a user agreement for students in Years 3–6, this new agreement, endorsed by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), applies to all students from Foundation to Year 6. Every child will be required to review and sign this agreement with their parent or carer before using school digital devices and online systems.
Thank you for your support and partnership.
Vira Pirrotta | Deputy Principal
Learning and Teaching /Learning Diversity Leader