WHEELERS HILL PRIMARY SCHOOL

Assistant Principal's Report

Leasyl Richards - Curriculum

25th October  

CYBER SAFETY SESSIONS - Parents

The parent Cyber Safety session run by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation was held last week. With technology being used at such an increasing rate by all of us I thought I would share some of the key points from the parent session for those who were unable to attend.

  • Be involved – show an interest in what your child is doing online
  • Prepare – have controls, filters and rules
  • Check in – on usage, look through your child’s devices
  • Empower your children to make the right choices

Some other ideas:

  • Have a set time each night where devices are turned off
  • Agree on where computers, laptops and mobile devices can be used at home
  • Limit screen time – perhaps just weekends or for only certain times each evening/ afternoon
  • Turn off wifi at certain times to limit use for everyone in the family
  • Lead by example - limit your own screen time
  • Have a tech diary for a week where everyone in the family records their screen time – this promotes a great discussion point for everyone in the family (including mum and dad)
  • Ensure privacy settings are on
  • Keep the door open when children are on devices
  • Screen time is often viewed in negative terms but devices are amazing tools in terms of creativity, sharing, collaborating – the key is finding the right balance

Social Media

Children like it because they can communicate with their friends. Be aware of risks, and understand that these sites own your content and be aware that these sites restrict the age to 13 +

Instagram – 20 million photos shared every day worldwide

Snapchat – 20,000 photos per minute shared world wide

Gaming

Have conversations with your children about who they are connecting with and set up guidelines for your child about when they can access games, how long they can participate for, and who they may interact with.

 

Information taken from a Royal Children's Hospital study

Have access to their own mobile device

  • 94% of Australian teenagers
  • 67% of primary school age children
  • 36% of pre-schoolers

Have their own social media accounts

  • 70% of teenagers
  • 25% of primary school aged children

 

50% of toddlers use devices unsupervised

1 in 5 teenagers have experienced cyber bullying

Boys are more likely to engage in gaming

Girls are more likely to engage in social media spaces

1 in 4 children have sleep problems from too much screen time

32 hours is the average weekly screen time for primary school ages children (this does not include school screen time)

When to introduce children to technology?

  • Decide as a family
  • Every family is different (you know your children best)
  • Look at their maturity level, how responsible they are in looking after devices, make sure your child understands consequences  and follow through on the consequences you have discussed around the guidelines you have set

CYBER SAFETY STUDENT SESSIONS - Students

 

Last Wednesday , the Year sixes attended a Cyber Safety Course held by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation. We learnt the do’s and don’ts when it comes to cyber safety and learnt how to protect ourselves from scams, hackers and viruses. The grade enjoyed the course a lot and I’m sure we will be sensible with our actions online from now on and have a “good digital footprint!”

Chloe W 6JD

 

On Wednesday, the year fives attended a Cyber Safety session held by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation. The session was mostly about what we should and shouldn’t do on the internet. A lot of the discussions were about social media platforms. We were taught how to use the platforms safely. Out of this course we learn  how to connect and conduct safely on the internet Year five students learnt a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the session.

Akhil K 5DS

 

 

CADBURY FUNDRAISING DRIVE

Thank you to all families for your generous support of our Cadbury Chocolate Fundraiser.  If you haven’t yet returned the $60 for your chocolate box can you please do so ASAP. I hope to be able to let our school community know how much we have raised by the next newsletter.

Please note all chocolates must be sold from each box - we cannot accept the  return of half sold boxes of chocolates. 

 

ICAS

I know some parents are eagerly awaiting ICAS results. I am still waiting to receive the certificates. Participation, Merit and Credit certificates will be handed out by classroom teachers. Distinction and High Distinction certificates will be handed out during our School Assembly.  I will let you know which assembly your child will be receiving awards as soon as I receive the certificates. 

 

Leasyl Richards

richards.leasyl.a@edumail.vic.gov.au