Online safety assemblies

This year in school we are focusing on the very current and important issue of online safety through 5 online safety weeks.

During each of these weeks all classes take part in lessons about issues related to their age groups.

So far we have explored and signed up to our online safety user agreements and discussed what to do if we see or hear something that upsets us online.   

P1 read the story of Smartie the Penguin and offered him some advice on what to do when something popped up on his screen while playing a game.

P2 and P3 have been exploring the scenario of Lee and Kim who were playing a game when an unknown person asked to join and were able to relate talking to someone like this being similar to chatting to a stranger in the park.

P4 and P5 made movies using the app Puppet Pals to role play scenarios and suggest how we should react in a safe and responsible manner.

Social media and online gaming is something which appeals greatly to children as they become older.  P6 and P7 have been looking at this and the restrictions and rules associated with different forums and apps.  We have been thinking about what information to share and what to keep private and why this is important.

A series of class assemblies are being held throughout January and February where each class can share their learning with their parents and other pupils.  You can see videos of these in the class areas of our website.

Shona Holmes from PSNI has been advising each class on a range of issues related to stranger danger, cyberbullying and responsible online gaming.  This has been brilliant and really worthwhile and we thank Shona for taking time to come in and talk to us.