This week’s newsletter is dedicated to Safer Internet Day. Although this is one day where the awareness of internet safety is raised, it is our collective responsibility to aim to create a safe environment for our children when they are using the internet. 

This newsletter aims to highlight some of the excellent resources for parents that are readily available from the eSafety Commissioner. 

Talking to your children about their online activity can be tricky as it will often involve personal subjects or topics that they may not want you to know about. Startingthe chat is the first step. Click here and you will read more about how to begin these critical conversations.

By a very young age, many children across Australia are already using digital devices – and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Kids can learn and develop important skills and behaviours with the right kinds of online games, apps and education programs.

But there are risks too, especially when devices can be connected to the internet. So, it’s never too early to encourage good online habits. Read more here about establishing good online habits and behaviour from an early age.   

How can you achieve a healthy balance between online and offline activities? 

What signs do you need to watch for that may indicate online time is having a  negative impact on your child? What do you do if you are concerned and how do you helpthem manage their online time? Take time  to read more about this important message here.

Online bullying can have a devastating impact on young people, whose online life is a key part of their identity and how they interact socially. 

Cyberbullying behaviour takes many forms, such as sending abusive messages, hurtful images or videos, nasty online gossip, excluding or humiliating others, or creating fake accounts in someone’s name to trick or humiliate them.

Click here for some targeted advice.

Good Samaritan implements processes for the management of social media according to the Diocesan Social Media Policy. This comprehensive policy can be found on CEDoW site by following this link.

Online games can be great fun for your child, but make sure you can help them manage the risks. Many games can assist your child with  a variety of skills but it is also important to understand what might go wrong in the online gaming environment. Read here what you can do

Tik Tok (formerly known as musical.ly) is a social media platform for creating, sharing and discovering short music videos, think Karaoke for the digital age. The app musical.ly was used by young people as an outlet to express themselves through singing, dancing, comedy, and lip-syncing.

 What parents need to know about TikTok can be found below

YouTube is a free to use service and a can be a great space for teens to discover things they like. For many young people, YouTube is used to watch music videos, comedy shows, how to guides, recipes, hacks and more.

8 things you need to know about YouTube can be found here:

The Value for this week is: 

Respect

Students who are respectful on the internet:

• act in a way that takes into consideration other people’s feelings and wellbeing
• are courteous, showing empathy and acting with dignity
• have self-respect and only engage in online behaviours that are helpful, useful and have a positive impact on their online reputation
• shows respect by accepting individual differences, presenting opinions calmly and agreeing to disagree

Parent Information Evening:

The 2020 Parent Information evening will be held this evening from 7pm. The format for the evening will remain the same, following the favourable feedback that was received in 2019. However an extended time will be given for each session. 

Therefore, 3x30minute sessions will run throughout the evening. You may attend any one of the sessions that suits your schedule and, if you have more than one child, you are able to attend each child’s class within the one evening. All sessions contain the same content.

Session times are:

• Session 1 begins at: 7pm
• Session 2 begins at: 7:35pm
• Session 3 begins at: 8:10pm

The evening will conclude at 8:40pm. The Library will be open throughout the sessions. Parents are welcome to browse and students may head to the Library to read if they need to come to school with you this evening.

Mark your calendar!

Friday 3 April: Student freeday                                                                                                                                           

Students will not attend school on this day. Staff will be on a Spiritual Formation Retreat & off site on this day                                                                                                                    

Thursday 7 May: Mother's Day Liturgy and Morning Tea

Friday 4 September: Father's Day Breakfast BBQ and Prayer

Friday 6 November: Grandparents & Great Friends Day Liturgy & Open Day                                                                                                                            

 Parent Action: Mark your calendar with these important dates.