Cybersafety+Document+1


 * Pinehill School Cybersafety Policy**

**Nag Reference: 5. Safety**

**Purpose**

This policy is designed to meet the school’s statutory obligations to maintain a safe learning environment and to consult with the community. As well, the Board is aware of its responsibilities to be a good employer. The overall goal is to maximise the educational benefits of communication technologies while minimising the risks.

Use of the Internet and other communication technologies at Pinehill is to be limited to educational and personal usage appropriate in the school environment. Appropriate use also includes staff professional development.

‘Other communication technologies’ include the mobile phone and technologies associated with Internet use e.g. digital camera and web cam. Included, too, are similar technologies still being developed.

The communication technologies at Pinehill are available to staff and students under certain conditions, as outlined in their signed Use Agreements. The school will make basic training available for staff using these technologies. Associated professional development needs will be considered.

Appropriate cybersafety measures will be put in place and enforced by the school. In order to ensure the safety of the school learning environment, action should be taken if these safety regulations are breached by students or staff.

This Cybersafety Policy applies to all employees of the Board (i.e. teaching, support and ancillary staff) and to all students. It also applies to teacher and other professional trainees assigned to the school from time to time, relief teachers, and staff and students in the Community Education programme.

The Principal will report regularly to the Board on the school implementation of this Board policy.

**Guidelines**

1. All students must read and sign a Computing / Cybersafety Use Agreement outlining the regulations and conditions under which computers and communication technologies may be used while at school or in any way which affects the safety of the school learning environment. The agreement must also be signed by a parent/caregiver.

2. Students will be supervised while using school facilities; the degree and type of that supervision may vary, dependent on the type of technology concerned, where the equipment is physically situated and whether or not the activity is occurring in the classroom.

3. All staff must sign a Cybersafety Use Agreement which includes details of their professional responsibilities and the limits to their own use of the Internet. 4. Educational material on cybersafety will be provided by management to staff and students, and to parents/caregivers. As well, additional safety education will be delivered, where relevant, through teaching programmes.

5. Basic training for staff will be made available, as will appropriate professional development.

6. The necessary procedures will be put into place by the school to address cybersafety issues in all venues where the Internet and other communication technologies are accessed by staff or students.

7. The school will provide an effective electronic security system, which is financially practicable. The school will continue to refine methods to improve cybersafety.

8. The Principal will be responsible for the establishment and maintenance of a cybersafety programme in the school. (The Principal may well delegate that responsibility to a member of the Senior Management Team.)

9. Any breaches of cybersafety policies (by staff or students) should be reported to the CO. Such breaches will be taken seriously and be dealt with through the school’s disciplinary and support systems. This includes misconduct facilitated by the use of communication technologies e.g.harassment. If illegal material or activities are suspected, the matter will be reported to the Police or the Department of Internal Affairs Censorship Compliance. In such incidents, there will be special attention paid to the need for specific procedures as regards the gathering of evidence. In such a case, the board would also be informed. Less serious matters should be documented and reported to the CO at a convenient moment. 10.Identification of Pinehill children on the internet Use initials for labelling/tagging an individual child in your class, where the child is visible in the photo, i.e. Abby McNae would be A.M. Don’t use childrens names when videoing and they are visible in the video

See Netsafe School Incident Response Flowchart for outline of procedures to follow. //(refer appendix 1)//

The Board supports the right of the school to check communication technology-related work or data of staff or students at any time, and to carry out a comprehensive investigation of any breaches of the school’s Cybersafety policies.

11. The school will consult with the wider school community and provide opportunities to learn about cybersafety issues e.g. through Parent Information Evenings.

DATE APPROVED:CHAIRPERSON:

REVIEW DATE:

Appendix 1