Technology 

As parents we can find navigating what is right and what is acceptable with our children’s use of technology an absolute minefield. Add in a bit of peer pressure (students and other parents) and we can find ourselves allowing children to participate in activities that are really beyond their age appropriate maturity level and in some situations open to real safety concerns. We have been made aware that many children are using sites and games that are not suitable for their age and in some cases are actually misrepresenting their age so they can access the site and sometimes this is being done with parent permission. There are many reasons why these age restrictions are in place and I think it is important that you are aware of these. If we can all agree as the parents and carers of our children to not get drawn into the peer or child pressure, it will be the best thing we can do for our kids. Please see this link for details on age-limits and positive on-line practices.

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/skills-advice/are-they-old-enough

Generally, the 13-year age requirement is not necessarily because the site is unsafe for children to use but to comply with a US law — the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA), which prevents collection and storage of personal information from children under 13 years of age. 

Healthy school

Please be mindful of the current climate around viruses and keep children home when unwell. We are keeping up with Qld Health and Catholic Education advice around coronavirus (COVID-19) and have implemented increased cleanliness procedures. Our school community health is always in the forefront so please advise the school if you have been travelling and have been advised to self-isolate or whether you have been unwell and are going through testing processes for coronavirus (COVID-19).

We have a number of students participating in the Inter-school Swimming Carnival on Monday and we wish them every success but most importantly we hope they do their best and enjoy the experience. 

Have a fabulous week. Go Cowboys for tonight.

Cheers

Penny