Internet Safety & Wellbeing

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Dear Parents and Caregivers

We have enjoyed a positive start to Term 2, catching up with our students online today.  Being online has its share of challenges though, so here are some hints to help you keep your children safe online at home. While learning is important, we also want to be able to support you, your whānau and our students’ wellbeing at this time so some resource links are included. 

INTERNET SAFETY AT HOME

  1. Free internet safety filter for parents

While children are learning from home, they are away from the online safety and security services provided by Network for Learning (N4L) at school. So together with N4L and Netsafe, the Ministry of Education has launched a free way to block the worst of the web for students and teachers: www.switchonsafety.co.nz 

There are instructions included in the link that will help you set up your child’s device for safer connectivity while they learn from home.

It is important to note though, that no technical solution is a silver bullet.  Please remember to complement this with digital citizenship toolkits provided by Netsafe.

  1. Netsafe

Netsafe provides comprehensive support and information to support everyone to stay safe as they work, learn and play online. Netsafe has new and updated resources for parents, whānau and students at https://www.netsafe.org.nz/advice/staying-safe/

Wellbeing for all

  1. This resource may assist you in supporting conversations with children about COVID-19: http://education.govt.nz/school/health-safety-and-wellbeing/pastoral-care-and-wellbeing/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-coronavirus/
  2. From overseas, this 25 Mental Health Wellness Tips during Quarantine from Eileen M Feliciano, Psy.D. is a good list and highlights some things particularly important for children. Remember the rules of New Zealand’s level 4 lockdown still apply.  It’s also a useful checklist tool for us all.
  3. Here’s some awesome little posters for managing COVID-19 anxiety: www.blessingmanifesting.com
https://www.nzac.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Managing-COVID-19-Anxiety.png

Mr Francis Aiono, our Guidance Counsellor is available to speak to – (francisa@lac.school.nz).

Do take care of yourselves and look for the positives today – where you can!

Nga mihi

Rosalind Burnett, Deputy Principal