Covid-19

For all information and updates from the diocese, please go to: www.dow.catholic.edu.au/covid19

Congratulations Louise Locke

Interviews for the advertised position of Senior School Support Officer (SSSO) were recently held at the Catholic Education Office. A number of candidates were interviewed with the successful applicant being Louise. As you would know, Louise has held this position a number of times in an ‘Acting’ role during Colleen’s absence and has demonstrated that she is very capable and worthy of the position. It is hoped that next week I will be able to announce the successful applicant to fill Louise’s support role in the office.

Uniform Transition

As the weather is starting to warm up, albeit a little inconsistently, the rest of the term will be a transition time moving from Winter to Summer uniform. Sports days remain the same but on other days, students can choose whether to wear Winter or Summer uniform. We ask that whichever is chosen, the full uniform be worn not bits and pieces of both.

School Photos

Photos for 2020 were originally planned for earlier in the year with students in Winter uniform. As we are now in a transition stage, a decision will be made as to which uniform the students need to wear as we get closer to the photo day – all will depend on the weather and we do need all students presenting in the same uniform.

Tik Tok

This is again in the media this week. I have expressed concerns regarding this App quite a few times over the past few years. Please check what your children are looking at and/or posting to what they see as harmless fun. The eSafety Commissioner website, https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

offers advice and free webinars to parents to assist you in keeping your children safe.

Avoiding online purchases

You can help stop any accidental in-app purchases by switching off in-app purchases and one-click payments on your devices.

It’s also a good idea for you and your child to agree on clear rules about not accepting in-app purchases. You might say, ‘Lots of people want our money, but it’s important that we don’t waste it on things we don’t need. If you want to buy a new game or something in a game, please ask me’.

Talking about appropriate online behaviour

Talking with your child about appropriate and inappropriate online behaviour will help your child learn how to stay safe. For example, you could:

• tell your child not to do or say anything online that she wouldn’t do or say face to face with someone
• encourage your child to think before posting photos or comments
• help your child to walk away from online arguments. You could say, ‘Friends can say things they don’t mean. It’s good to let people get over their moods and not talk to them online for a little while’.

It’s OK if your rules are different from those of other families. If you’ve thought them through and you’re happy with the way they’re working, you’re helping to keep your child safe online.