Senator for the ACT, Kate Lundy today congratulated local schools Red Hill Primary School, St Thomas the Apostle and St John the Apostle Primary School, who have been selected to participate in the new cyber-safety and student wellbeing pilot program.
The $3 million initiative, developed by child safety charity the Alannah and Madeline Foundation and funded by the Federal Government, is aimed at helping school communities become smart, safe and responsible users of technology.
The local schools are among 164 primary and secondary, government and non-government schools in urban, rural and remote Australia participating in the pilot which will run until 30 April 2010.
Schools will be provided with web resources designed to help them create an approach to cyber-safety that meets their specific needs. The project will also help clarify the role that schools play in ensuring responsible and safe use of technology.
“Teachers and parents know there are risks involved for children regarding cyberspace and there are many cyber-safety programs and resources available, but schools don’t know which ones will benefit their particular community or which ones are effective,” Senator Lundy said.
“This initiative will provide schools with the tools they need to create a cyber-safety approach that meets their individual school’s needs, while educating everyone involved about the responsible use of technology.”
Research released this year by the Government shows cyber-bullying is increasing and under-reported. It is experienced by about 10 per cent of Australian students in years 4-9.
The outcomes of the pilot will be independently evaluated and considered in the Government’s review of the National Safe Schools Framework (NSSF), which is scheduled for completion in June 2010.
A full list of schools involved in the pilot and information about the current NSSF and its review is available at www.safeschools.deewr.gov.au
Media contact: Annika Hutchins (Senator Kate Lundy) 0407 458 882
DEEWR Media: media@deewr.gov.au Non-media queries: 1300 363 079
