Technology
Technology Access
At St Augustine’s College, we believe that our students live in a world where information can be accessed and shared quickly over the internet, where they can communicate with peers, create new knowledge, and connect to a global community.
As a school, we are keen to inspire and engage this new generation of learners with contemporary learning tools and assist them in reaching their full potential in all curriculum areas.
All students have access to a mobile device, an iPad for students F - 8 and a laptop for students 9 - 12. This ensures we meet the needs of the 21st Century learner.
Students are educated about cyber safety (see below) and the most effective ways to use their iPad/laptop as a learning tool and use a range of educational apps which integrate across various subject areas.
Cyber Safety
Source: Child Youth and Women’s Health Service – Parenting and Child Health site
Cyberbullying is a more sophisticated form of bullying that can take place in schools, playgrounds, worksites and wherever there are groups of people. It is done with the intention of harming another person. Unlike the regular kind of bullying, cyberbullying is not face-to-face, and it can follow a person into places that are usually safe – such as in their own home. It may even be being perpetrated by a bully who doesn’t actually know the victim, and it can be very hard to trace back to the bully as the real name may not be used.
Cyberbullying uses the Internet, mobile phones or other electronic communication systems to send or post text or images in order to hurt or embarrass someone. Some of the things that cyberbullying does includes teasing and making fun of someone, spreading false rumours online, sending unwanted messages, sending the name negative messages repeatedly, defamation or taking embarrassing photos and passing them on without permission. Cyberbullying may involve occasional messages, but it can also be frequently repeated highly disturbing messages. The targeted person often feels powerless and may not know how to stop it or who it is coming from
Prevention - for students
An important way to prevent cyberbullying is for young people to avoid giving out contact details:
Only give your mobile phone number, instant messaging name or e-mail address to trusted friends, and keep a note of who you’ve given it to.
Consider using 'caller ID blocking' to hide your phone number when making calls.
Similarly, don’t leave your name on your voicemail.
Don’t give your details to people you don’t know – or don’t want to know!
What parents can do
Get involved by learning all that you can about the devices and programs that your child is using. Your child will probably enjoy ‘being the teacher’ and showing off his/her skills.
Supervise your child's use of devices; devices should not be in children's bedrooms overnight.
Some helpful tips:
Discuss the issue of safety with your child. Reassure your child that you are there if they need help.
Watch out for signs that your child is being bullied online. Maybe they don’t want to use the phone or computer, or maybe they try to get out of going to school or avoid using their mobile.
Talk to your child about using the phone and internet responsibly. For example, they shouldn’t send messages or post anything on a website that could embarrass, harass or upset others. Suggest that they ask themselves, ”How would I feel if someone was doing this to me?”
Work out the rules with your child for using technology in your family and the consequences for not sticking to them.
Report bullying to the school if that is where you suspect the bullying is coming from.
Links to reporting online abuse can be accessed through the eSafety Commissioner website located at www.esafety.gov.au
If serious threats are being made, the matter should be reported to the police. Your local police station will tell you about this.
Report the problem to your phone service provider if the mobile phone is the instrument used to bully. They will have ideas about what could be done to lower the risk of bullying by phone.
If you think your child is bullying someone else, you could check the phone account to see where the calls are going.
You might check your child’s phone messages, in and out boxes, if you suspect bullying is taking place – but you need to balance this with your child’s rights to privacy, too.
Support sites:
Bullying - No way An Australian site created by and for Australian school communities.
Advice for parents, schools and students about all forms of bullying. www.bullyingnoway.gov.au
eSafety Commissioner website provides a comprehensive guide for parents, young people and educators regarding online safety. There are links to reporting online abuse and advice and support services. www.esafety.gov.au
eSmart Schools This Framework is designed to help schools improve cybersafety and reduce cyberbullying and bullying behaviours. St Augustine's College is one of over 2,200 schools across Australia involved in this behaviour-change initiative.