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Cyber-Safety

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Prevention is better than cure

We educate our young people about online safety. This includes:

  • Our respectful relationships program

  • Bullying/cyber-safety plays

  • Special speakers

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We encourage all parents to monitor what apps there kids are using, and consider whether the apps are age-appropriate, or expose them to stalking, cyber-bullying or leaking of private information.

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There is emerging research demonstrating a link between online and social media use and poor mental health of young people.

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We advise parents to remove devices from children during the night-time, when they are more vulnerable. 

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SO WHAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH SOCIAL MEDIA FOR CHILDREN?
You may not be fully aware of the legal and safety issues regarding social media and children, and therefore allow your children to use them. In fact all of the commonly used platforms DO NOT PERMIT access for children under the age of 13 for many legal and safety issues.

 

This includes :

  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • Tik Tok

  • Snapchat

  • Discord

  • Threads


The e-safety commission notes however that about 25% of children between the ages of 7-13 are on these platforms, with the other 75% of children not been allowed access.

I strongly urge all parents in our community to consider the following risks and determine whether they want to continue to allow their children access the internet on their phones, particularly at night when they can not be monitored.

* Exposure to inappropriate content (explicit material, violence, cyberbullying)

* Sextortion - young people are encouraged to share online nude or suggestive 'selfies' and then threatened for money. A number of young people have committed suicide due to this.
* Potential targeting by online predators
* Negative impact on mental health (feelings of inadequacy, lowself-esteem, unhealthy comparison)
* Privacy and data security risks (sharing personal information)
* Potential for addiction and excessive screen time
* Distraction from real-life relationships and responsibilities
* Spread of misinformation and fake news
* Lack of control over personal information and digital footprint
* Online harassment and trolling
* Potential for reputational damage through sharing ofinappropriate or compromising content

Be assured that for many good reasons, the majority of parents in Australia have set firm boundaries and delayed access to social media until high school for their children. I would encourage all parents to consider carefully their own family rules and to take a stand with their children on this issue.

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As a school we take cyberbullying very seriously and will follow up regarding matters posted online -even after school hours posts and messages that are impacting students at school.

 
Preventing and Responding to Racism

Racism is not tolerated in Westall Primary School ​ Westall Primary School is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment where racism is not tolerated. Racism harms students’ mental health, learning and sense of belonging. We celebrate the diversity of cultures, ethnicities and faiths of all our students. It is up to all of us at Westall Primary School to make our school a place that is free of racism and where everyone feels respected and can learn in a safe and inclusive environment. ​ ​ ​ What Westall Primary School is doing to prevent racism   Westall Primary School follows the Department of Education’s Preventing and Addressing Racism in Schools Policy. We are building a culturally safe school with inclusive learning for everyone by working with staff, students, families, carers and communities. We will: provide programs that teach about and celebrate diversity, inclusion and the impact of racism to build understanding and empathy use practices that support all students to thrive implement anti-racism efforts to prevent and address racism effectively make sure everyone feels safe, with clear and accessible pathways to report racism ​ ​ ​ What to do if your child experiences or witnesses racism at school ​ If your child experiences or witnesses racism or religious discrimination at school, please let us know. You can tell your child’s teacher or any of the following school staff members: Principal or Assistant Principal ​ ​ ​ Report Racism hotline ​ If you don’t feel comfortable reporting racism to school, or you are not happy with the school’s response, you can report racism to: the Department of Education’s Report Racism hotline via email report.racism@education.vic.gov.au or phone 1800 722 476 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. (VAEAI) via email vaeai@vaeai.org.au or phone 03 9481 0800 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) online, via email complaints@veohrc.vic.gov.au or phone 1300 292 153 (Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm). For additional support following an incident of racism: First Nations students, staff or families can contact Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. (VAEAI) Jewish students, staff or families can contact the Jewish Community Council of Victoria Muslim students, staff or families can contact the Islamic Council of Victoria   For more information about how to report racism to the school, and to get information in community languages, visit this website: Report racism or religious discrimination in schools. If you need an interpreter to call the school, please use the details available at: Guide for Families: How to use an interpreter to contact your school. ​ ​ ​ How Westall Primary School will respond to racism ​ When you report a racist incident, Westall Primary School will: take your report seriously and act quickly give you ongoing support investigate and respond safely and appropriately  keep you informed, while respecting privacy review the incident to help avoid it from happening again. ​

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