From the 

Shadow Principal 

Dear Parents/Carers,

Cyber Safety Day

On Wednesday, we had a whole school cyber safety day.  An officer from Knox Police conducted an age-appropriate presentation for each year level. The emphasis in each of these sessions was on protecting your identity and communicating appropriately online.  

Key Messages for students were:

• Don’t provide or post images or information that identify who you are, where you live or where you go to school online.
• Only close friends and family should be able to identify who you are online.
• People online who you don’t know may not be who they claim to be.
• If you are bullied online, you need to speak to a trusted adult.
• When you are online always be kind and DON’T BE MEAN.

In the evening, we hosted a presenter from the Federal Police to speak to parents regarding protecting their children online. Although we had a relatively small group of parents, we are hoping they will spread the word.

Key Messages for parents were:

• The Internet is here with us, and we need to assist children to work in that space.
• Clear and open communication between children and parents is the key to safety online.
• The online world is not private, parents should be aware of all apps and games that their kids are using. 
• Discuss, share, and understand the apps and games that they are using and engage in them with the kids.
• If something untoward happens to your child online contact the police. They are there to support you.
• There are lots of resources online to support parents in having discussions with students.

I have included some great video clips from the NZ govt, below that can be great conversation starters for families and the link to the Think U Know website.

https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/resources-tab/parents-and-carers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBhxVomEN7Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89jOufetX1c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7z6lMbL3mw

Catherine Ford

Shadow Principal