Cyber Safety and Digital Citizenship Policy

St Patrick’s Catholic School

“Train up a child in the way they should go, even when they are old, they will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Rationale:

St Patrick’s Catholic School recognises the important role that digital technologies play in teaching, learning and the operation of the school, and as such commits to:

• Harnessing the potential that technology brings to the teaching and learning process. 

• Creating a safe online learning environment that aligns with our obligations under the Education and Training Act 2020; Section 127(1)(b).

• Fostering a culture of good digital citizenship in our students, staff and wider community.

• Preparing, guiding, and supporting ākonga | students towards becoming positive and responsible digital citizens.

• Providing chances for students to experience the opportunities and challenges of technology in a safe and supportive environment. 

• build a partnership between home and school to collectively build responsibility in our tamariki for themselves and others in their use of digital technology and the online environment

We support our students to be competent and confident in the use of digital technology; and aware of and able to manage the challenges and issues that go with it. These issues include safety of themselves and others, privacy, copyright, and protection of digital devices and equipment. In short, to be digital citizens.

Scope

The policy applies to every member of the school community using the digital technology equipment, including staff, students, volunteers, trainees, contractors, special visitors, and board members. It applies whether the digital technology equipment is used at the school, or any other location for a school-based activity. This includes off-site access to the school network.

Policy 

St Patrick’s Catholic School will define expectations for responsible and safe use of digital technologies and build digital citizenship capability throughout the school.

The board delegates to the principal the implementation of this policy through the development and maintenance of procedures for safe and responsible use of digital technology. Our approaches, procedures and use of digital technologies will harness their benefits whilst effectively managing any risks or challenges that students, teachers and the school community might face.

Procedures will:

• Maintain a safe school environment

• Describe how we will educate and support students

• Encourage students to use digital technology confidently and competently by learning how to keep themselves safe online and manage any challenges and issues.

• Set out effective protocols for responding to and reporting online incidents.

We will consult with parents and the wider school community about how we intend to use digital technology. Wherever possible, we will explain how it benefits the teaching and learning process.

Supporting Documents:

• Procedures (below)

• Health and Safety Policy

• Student Agreement - Link here

• Conduct and House Rules Policy

Date reviewed: 25th March, 2025

Procedures

General

1. Relevant education about cybersafety for the school community will be regularly updated and informed.

2. The school's cyber safety practices are to be based on information contained in the latest version of the Netsafe Kit for Schools, which is endorsed by the New Zealand Ministry of Education as best practice for New Zealand schools.

3. The policy applies to every member of the school community authorised to use the digital technology equipment, including staff, students, volunteers, trainees, contractors, special visitors, and board members.

4. It applies whether the digital technology equipment is used at the school, or any other location for a school based activity. This includes off-site access to the school network.

5. Digital technology equipment includes computers, storage devices, cameras, mobile phones, gaming consoles, video/audio devices, whether owned by the school, or privately.

6. The school maintains the right to monitor, access, and review digital technology use, including email use; and to audit at any time material on the school's equipment.

7. The school maintains the right to monitor, access and review digital technology use, including email use and online searching on school managed devices outside of school hours. 

Inappropriate Use

1. No Year 3-8 student may use the school internet facilities and school owned/leased ICT devices/equipment, or BYOD devices in any circumstances unless the appropriate use agreement has been signed and returned to the school. This includes offsite access to the school network from school or privately owned/leased equipment.

2. Inappropriate use of technology by students will be red flagged by the programme LineWize and alerted to the ICT leader who will determine the seriousness of the issue and make a decision of how to process next i.e., speak to the student, contact whānau or escalate to the Principal, consult with the Principal to determine the seriousness and either pass it on to the students’ teacher to follow up or contact the parents directly.

3. Depending on the situation of the misuse of technology, a family may request to “pause” device use for their child in consultation with the school, meaning the child cannot sign into the device at home or at school

4. Inappropriate use of technology by staff will be red flagged by the programme LineWize and referred to the principal to investigate. In serious incidents, advice will be sought from an appropriate source, such as NetSafe, the New Zealand School Trustees Association and/or a lawyer with specialist knowledge in this area. If illegal material or activities are suspected, the matter will need to be reported to the NZ Police.

5. All social media sites are inaccessible to students at school. The school does not take any responsibility for students making inappropriate use of social media at home.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

1. BYOD is optional. It is up to the parents if their child is ready to manage their own device at school.

2. Year 3-6 students are allowed to bring Chromebooks only. Year 7 & 8 can bring a Chromebook or a Windows device.

3. If a child has a device to bring to school parents must contact the ICT leader in the first instance. They will send out a BYOD agreement that parents must read prior to filling out a Google form with details and permissions.

4. Once the ICT leader has all the information needed they can add Google Console to the Chromebooks as well as setting it up on the network. Our external ICT technician will set up Windows devices once a term, as necessary.

5. All personal mobile phones must be switched off and left at the school office during school hours.

6. Smart watches may be worn but all internet capabilities must be switched off while at school or switched to “school mode.”

7. Digital devices must be covered by home/personal insurance (the school takes no responsibility for damaged, lost or stolen devices).

Reviewed: 26th March 2025