STEM Showcase Week 10, Wednesday 23rd September 2020
Term 3 concludes on Friday 25th September 2020 at 3:00pm - (OSHC will be available for those families needing care).

Term 4 commences on Monday 12th October 2020 

Last evening at the Board Meeting we had a discussion around the concerning revelation about graphic and disturbing images shared on the social media, Tic Tok. A quick search will provide parents with the following.

16 years old age restriction on TikTok app:

Anyone under the age of 16 years old cannot access this platform. Common Sense Media has recommended that this app is appropriate for those aged at least 16 years old and above due to its mature content and information settings Oct 9th 2018.

The Board discussed the cybersafe workshops that we offer to parents and children at the beginning of the year but also some reminders during the year and updates as new sites emerge.

I think a great place for parents to start is at esafety.gov.au.

There is lots of up-to-date information and advice. It is made clear that children should not be on social media prior to 13 years old. In order to sign up to an account a younger child would have to state their age as 13. The issue is that younger children aren’t aware of the fact that privacy could be breached using their personal information and that the advertising at these sites is pitched at older children. However, parents still allow their children to sign up citing ‘all their friends have accounts’. This is not true, of course, some will, others won’t. You need to decide if your child is ready and if so, what controls and restrictions you will put in place to assist your child.

(From esafety site)

Parents and carers play a key role in guiding their children as they first encounter the online world and begin to learn through exploration, play and social interaction. 

When is your child old enough to take their first online steps and begin to explore on their own? How soon are they ready for smartphones and social media accounts? 

It is a good idea to protect younger children from online risks such as encountering harmful content, contact with strangers or missing out on physical activity. But it is up to you to decide when and how they take these first steps, and how best to support them as they begin their online journey. 

On this page:

• Should your preschooler be using online devices?
• Is your child old enough for a smartphone?
• When are they ready for social media accounts?
• Determine your child's readiness for social media
• Resources for parents

81% of parents with preschoolers say their children use the internet.

Of these parents, 94% report that their child was using the internet by the age of 4. 

This might be via a tablet or iPad (92%), a smartphone (85%) or a computer (83%).  

More digital parenting research: supervising preschoolers online and digital families

For more information please ref to the below link. https://www.esafety.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-06/EC-ESP-screen-time-tips-flyer_0.pdf

STEM EXPO
We are really looking forward to next Wednesday’s STEM Expo, inviting parents in to have a look at your children’s work in this area and also being able to tour the new buildings. We are inviting parents in the morning and afternoon, and suggesting that this is organised in surname eg A-M at 8:30am and N-Z at 3:00pm.  But please if you are unable to come at the appointed time you are of course invited to come at the other time. We will be conducting the EXPO with COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing in mind. Please enter the expo by ascending the staircase leading to the Year 3 and 4 rooms and you will be guided over the walkway into the new building.

Building
We have now fenced off the transportables and will be demolishing them in the school holiday period ready to commence stage 1D shortly after. We are hoping to move into the new buildings in June/ July 2021.

It has been a big term and the children are noticeably tired and ready for a break. I trust you will get the chance to have some time together and re-charge as we head into the final term of 2020.

God Bless

In order to maintain social distancing requirements in the uniform shop we have been encouraging parents to book an appointment by calling or emailing us. To streamline this process for Term 4 we have now got online bookings available (starting 15/9/20). https://belgraviasportsonline.com.au/pages/school-uniform-fittings

Each year, the Speech and Drama program includes 5 introductory lessons in Term 4 for those who would like to try them out and enjoy fun lessons with the already established groups. This year, the lessons are offered on Thursdays at 11.30-12.10 for Years 1-3 and 12.20-1.00pm for Years 4-7 in the Activity Room starting on Thursday 5th November 2020.

To enrol, please contact Lois on 0419844798 or lois.brimblecombe@gmail.com by Friday 25th September 2020.  For further information about the classes, refer to www.speechanddramasa.com.au.  

The latest edition is available at this link - https://thesoutherncross.org.au/category/news/