Student Safety
Call for parents to help keep children safe online
Gwent Police is joining forces with local education authorities to warn parents about the dangers that lurk online.
It comes following an increase in the number of reports of children sharing indecent images online. Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, going online has become a way of life. It’s where we all learn, work and socialise. For children, going online is the new classroom, playground or play date. Sadly, there are people out there that take advantage of this and prey on the young.
Gwent Police, with its’ partners, is launching a new campaign with the simple message to parents; stop what you are doing; talk to your children about staying safe online; and protect them from harm.
Click here for information videos.
Click here for Gwent Police Website
Online Safety at Home
Schools across the UK are now closed to most families. We know this is a difficult time for most parents so here are some resources from thinkuknow to help you learn about online safety at home with your child.
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Parents Helpsheet |
Activities Sheet Years 7-9 |
Activities Sheet Years 10-13 |
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Digital Parenting is the go-to guide for parents to get up to speed on the latest digital technology and wellbeing issues, so families can get the most out of the online world and navigate it safely. Click the magazine on the left for lots more information. |
Safer Internet
Using the Internet safely and positively is a key message that we promote in St Joseph’s RC High School, and deliver online safety messages throughout the year to all pupils.
Resources which you may find helpful in supporting your child online are:
- • Advice for parents and carers from Childnet
- • Tips, advice and guides for parents and carers from the UK Safer Internet Centre
- • Guides on popular apps and games from NetAware
- • Reviews and information about games, apps, TV shows and websites from Common Sense Media
- • Help on using parental controls and privacy settings from Internet Matters
- • Information and reporting of online grooming or abuse from CEOP
Online safety is an important issue which as a school we are committed to teaching our young people about.
https://saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers
If you have any concerns or questions about keeping your child safe online, please do get in touch with your child’s form tutor, myself DCF Lead or our Designated Safeguarding Lead Mr Humpage.
Kind regards,
Mrs J Moriarty
DCF/Digital Safety Lead
Cycle Safety
Information for pupils and parents/carers:
Cycling can be a fun, healthy and energising method of travelling to and from school and St Joseph’s would like to encourage pupils to choose this option while also providing facilities to store bikes securely and safely. However, those who ride to school must be aware of the real dangers if they do not use the public highway in a safe and considerate manner or ride bikes in a style that is a hazard to themselves and others.
Students who persist in breaking the Highway Code for cycle users will not be allowed to participate in the ‘Cycle to School’ scheme.
Please, would pupils, parents and carers use the following links so that cyclists wear the correct clothing, take all safety precautions seriously and are aware of their responsibility in using the highway.
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www.gov.uk/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82 www.sustrans.org.uk/wales/our-work-wales www.rospa.com/Road-Safety/Advice/Pedal-Cyclists |
We are delighted to see so many pupils taking the opportunity of cycling to and from school and all the benefits a healthy commute brings. We would also like to bring the following information to families’ attention;
- Bikes must be ridden safely both on and off school site, consideration for other road users and pedestrians is paramount
- Cyclists should take all necessary precautions to ensure they are wearing the correct equipment at all times
- St Joseph’s is strongly recommending that ALL CYCLISTS wear a cycle helmet for their journeys, please see the video links below for advice on how to fit, wear and purchase the right one
- If any cyclist is seen or reported not riding safely on the highway or school grounds then the privilege of cycling to school will be taken away
- When riding to school please factor enough time into the journey in order to arrive safely and on time
Stop. Speak and Support
What issues could be affecting your children?
Get to grips with what they may come across on the internet and how to get help if you need it.
Find out what to do if you’re worried about anything you or your child has seen online.
Inappropriate Content,
Cyberbullying
Online Grooming
Sexting
Online Reputation
Self-Harm
Online Pornography
Radicalisation
Please follow the link below for excellent age-appropriate support and guidance regarding a variety of high profile issues connected to the ‘Stop, Speak and Support’ campaign.
Internet safety checklist for teens
stay involved
Keep talking and stay interested in what they’re doing. Don’t be afraid to bring up challenging issues like sexting, pornography and cyberbullying. It could be embarrassing, but you’ll both benefit from the subjects being out in the open.
stay safe on the move
Use safe settings on all mobile devices but be aware that if your child is accessing the internet using public WiFi, filters to block inappropriate content may not be active. Some outlets, like McDonald’s, are part of family friendly WiFi schemes so look out for Mumsnet Family Friendly WiFi and RDI Friendly WiFi symbols when you’re out and about
be responsible
Talk to your teenager about being responsible when they’re online. Children often feel they can say things online that they wouldn’t say face-to-face. Teach them to always have respect for themselves and others online.
talk about online reputation
Let them know that anything they upload, email or message could stay around forever online. Remind them they should only do things online that they wouldn’t mind you, their teacher or a future employer seeing. Get them to think about creating a positive digital footprint.
Adjust controls
Discuss with them adjusting your parental controls to match your teenager’s level of maturity. Have a chat about it first – don’t turn them off completely without careful consideration and discussion
show you trust them
If you can afford to, give them a small allowance that they can use for spending online so they can download apps, music and films for themselves, from places you agree together.
don't give in
Remind them how important it is not to give in to peer pressure to send inappropriate comments or images. Point them to the Send this instead and Zipit apps which will help them deal with these types of request.
Digital Awareness Presentation Download
Digital Awareness @ SJHS
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Click here to download the document presented |
Information for parents and carers
Young people and social networking
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Click here for more information on social |
Web safety
Please take a moment to look at the site shown below, www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/. You can access advice and support on how to keep children safe from sexual abuse, both online and off. Articles provide guidance on topics as diverse as: challenging harmful sexual attitudes and promoting positive behaviours; helping a child with autism negotiate life online; supporting a child who has been sexually abused; and dealing with a range of online issues such as sending nude selfies and viewing pornography. Users will find films, downloadable guides and useful links to support organisations.
Families can also use the website to access the CEOP Safety Centre where they can report abuse and exploitation direct to CEOP. www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre
Vodaphone have also created a good parents guide, the link is on the right.
You can also download this Digital Parenting Magazine or a huge list of helpful site by the UK Internet Centre (below), which is full of information, tips and help if you have children or young people online.
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Other useful websites: |
Cybercrime: Preventing young people from getting involve
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has launched a public awareness campaign to highlight the increasing number of young people engaging in cybercrime.
The #CyberChoices campaign targets parents of 12-15 year olds who may be involved in hacking or other kinds of online crime without their parents' knowledge. The campaign, also aimed at professionals who work with children and young people, highlights the range of criminal activities that children may be involved in, how to spot signs of potential problems, what the consequences could be and importantly, signposts better ways for young people to use their technical skills.
For further information about cybercrime, and to watch the short film produced for the campaign click here. For advice from the NCA on how to help young people avoid the risks of getting involved in cybercrime, and how to work with parents and carers on this issue visit the NCA website.
Keeping Young Performers Safe Cadw Perfformwyr Ifanc Yn Ddiogel
Please see link below for new regulations on young performers. These documents provide detailed information for when young people need licences to take part in public performances and/or in paid sporting or modelling activities.