E-SMART: Our committment to being safe online
Our Cyber Safety Committment
At Bourchier Street Primary we aim to make cyber safety a normal part of our student's lives by equipping them to use technologies in ways that are positive and that protect them from the potential risks.
The E-Smart ProgramThe eSmart program is considered to be at the leading edge of international research, knowledge and current best practice to reduce bullying, cyberbullying and other cyber-risks for children and young people. We are committed to implementing the E-smart program and providing a whole school approach to cyber safety. Young people are increasingly at risk of unsafe, abusive, or aggressive behaviour online and through mobile phones such as: cyberbullying, stalking, accessing inappropriate content, sending inappropriate images and identity fraud. In the 'real world' we teach our children not to go with or talk to strangers. We ask them to be alert to all sorts of dangers, to respect the boundaries we place on their freedom and to avoid taking too any risks. We also expect them to behave in ways that are respectful toward others. But we also need to teach them about safe and responsible behaviours in the world's largest public space, the internet. Many of the problems in cyberspace reflect the issues young people face generally. Building young people's capacity to make wise choices and limit irresponsible risk-taking, as well as promoting good interpersonal relationships is at the heart of a holistic approach to cybersafety. One of the most common forms of aggression experienced by children comes in the form of schoolyard bullying. In recent years, around the counrty and around the world, we have witnessed peer-to-peer bullying shift to cyberspace - with mobile phones and the internet becoming major tools in vicious 24/7 bullying campaigns. Addressing bullying is a fundamental step to improving young people's safety in cyberspace. We promote strategies for dealing with a broad range of cyber-risks. It also embraces the positives of technology for teaching practice and enhancing young people's learning, as well as its role in positive relationship building. For more information on how young people use communications technology and the issues relating to it, please visit any of the links on the left hand side of the top of this page. Dr. Helen McGrath
At the start of the year we had Professor Helen McGrath come to our school to talk to our staff. Professor McGrath is well regarded for her excellent work in education with a particular interest in mental health, social skills and relationships.
She is also involved in extensive research into how student use technology and the risks involved read her report here. |
Useful Links: Click on the links below for more information and tips on Cyber Safety.
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