Student Agreement for the Godly and safe use of Digital Technology

 

USER AGREEMENT OVERVIEW

 

Digital technology continues to create opportunities to learn and connect our school community. Ponatahi Christian School believes in using a digital citizenship model to support Godly, safe, responsible, and moral use of digital technology and online spaces as it helps our online environment to be a positive place for everyone.

This agreement outlines Ponatahi Christian School’s role in promoting the use of digital technology and online spaces for learning, and supporting online safety approaches. It also outlines expectations and responsibilities of students as a member of our online community. It will also be used to support discipline processes when necessary. Y7-13 students and their caregivers are expected to sign.

PONATAHI CHRISTIAN SCHOOL’S ROLE

This section outlines your school’s approach to digital technology and online safety.

Ponatahi Christian School recognises a student’s right to receive a high-quality education in a safe online and offline environment.

We will do this by:

• Teaching you Biblical values and holding you accountable to them for your own safety and the safety of other.
• Providing information and support to ensure you are aware of, and able to meet, your responsibilities.
• Teaching a curriculum that promotes positive online safety behaviours.
• Overseeing students’ use of the school’s/kura digital devices and platforms: this includes the use of monitoring software.
• Offering access to the internet and online services that is not unreasonably restricted.
• Using filtering software to minimise access to inappropriate online content.
• Supporting students who need help dealing with online incidents.
• Taking action when a negative online experience occurs between students even if it takes place outside of school hours.
• Securing the personal information the school collects about you.
• Protecting your freedom of expression under New Zealand’s Bill of Rights.
• Having a plan in place to support students when something serious or illegal happens. This might include getting in touch with parents, police, or other relevant agencies .

 

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

This section outlines what your school considers appropriate behaviour when using digital technologies and online spaces in school and as a member of the school community.

As a student of Ponatahi Christian School and a member of our community, it is expected that you will positively contribute towards making our school or kura a place that is Godly, morally pure, safe, respectful, and fair online and offline. This means enacting our school values in online spaces, and helping to shape a positive online culture. This is being a ‘digital citizen’.

As a digital citizen, you will:

• Evaluate everything you in relation to God’s Holy Law. You will: “Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Romans 12: 9
• Keep it positive. Always respect others online and communicate in a constructive way. Do not create or publish content that is indecent, threatening or offensive.
• Protect privacy. Do not disclose sensitive personal information about yourself or another person in any digital communication. This includes sharing passwords, accessing devices or online sites belonging to others without consent and taking screenshots and sharing this content without consent.
• Act cautiously. Anything you post or do online can influence what people think of you. Likewise, always think carefully about whether the information you see online is true. If you are unsure of something talk to a teacher.
• Avoid online bullying. Creating or forwarding content that is harmful, inappropriate or hurtful is never okay at any time, and may breach legislation (The Harmful Digital Communications Act). If you are harassing people by sending multiple messages this is also considered online bullying and is unacceptable.
• Be security smart. Keep personal information safe and secure by using strong passwords and not sharing them with others. This includes not accessing devices or online sites belonging to others without consent, nor taking screenshots and on-sharing their personal content without their knowledge and permission.
• Check consent. Before downloading software to the school network or onto devices, seek permission. Interfering with the school systems, digital technologies, equipment/network or the online security of another person is never okay at any time.
• Recognise others work. Follow copyright and intellectual property requirements by attributing references, images, text, audio and video appropriately.
• Respect the rights of others. Only record and share video, photo or audio content if the people in it know it has been taken and have provided their consent.
• Use personal devices for the intended purpose: They are a learning tool, and no student should even be on a game, social media. Trade me, Youtube, etc, when the teacher thinks that you are on task, even when the teacher can not see your screen.
• Use personal devices sensibly. Keep your device(s) on silent during school hours and only use it outside of class time unless you have been given permission to use it during lessons.
• Seek help. Sometimes you or someone you know will feel unsafe or come across inappropriate or hurtful online content and behaviours. If this happens talk to a trusted adult about what can be done, or contact Netsafe directly.

 

ONLINE INCIDENTS

This section outlines how students can seek support and assistance if they encounter any online concerns.

Despite the advantages technology offers and people’s best intentions, sometimes there will be challenges and risks within an online community – either accidentally or on purpose. Ponatahi Christian School is committed to supporting you if something goes wrong online.

Online bullying. Incidents of online bullying or harm will not be tolerated at our school/kura or kura. If you or somebody else is being bullied or harmed online, it’s never okay at any time. This type of harm doesn’t usually just go away. It’s important to keep the evidence of what is happening to you or someone so this can be investigated. Don’t put yourself at further risk by continuing any contact with the person or people who are bullying online, or creating harmful or hurtful content . It’s very important to let someone at school [insert school contact i.e. teacher, coordinator, IT person] know what’s happening so you can get the right help and support you need. You should also consider talking to a trusted adult like your parent, your whānau or guardian for support.

Report a problem. You should report an online incident or if you suspect something is happening online as soon as you can to [insert school/kura contact i.e. teacher, coordinator, IT person]. Once the school is made aware of a problem, they will assess the problem and work to resolve it.

Online safety support. Netsafe is an online safety organisation that is also available to help. They provide free confidential advice seven days a week for all online safety challenges. They can be contacted on 0508 638723 or online at netsafe.org.nz

 

STUDENT DECLARATION

I am aware of the expectations, behaviours and values required of me when I use digital technologies at school, any online tools and platforms, and the school’s systems and network. I understand these apply to all devices used at school whether they are owned by school or if it is my personal device.

I understand I have the right to use and experience online environments and digital technologies in positive ways and that others do also. With these rights, come responsibilities.

I understand and agree to support and uphold these expectations and responsibilities outlined in this agreement.

I know that if my actions or behaviours do not align with the User Agreement there may be consequences. This may include the loss of access to the internet on school owned devices, the use thereof entirely, or any restrictions deemed appropriate by school management.

 

PARENT/ WHĀNAU/ GUARDIAN DECLARATION

I know that if my child behaviours or acts in ways that don’t align with those detailed in the User Agreement there may be consequences which the school will talk to me about.