This week, in our assembly, I discussed the importance of digital resilience with the students. We talked about how amazing the Internet is and what a big part of our lives it is. How it can be used to help us communicate, learn and have fun. However, we also talked about how there can be risks to using the Internet which can sometimes impact us in a negative way.

I also highlighted the importance of taking time away from the screen. That having a balance in our lives is really important for our health and happiness. Just like we might balance healthy foods with sweet treats, we need to balance the time we spend online with other activities. 

Some top tips for you as parents are:

• Take time to join your children in the digital activities they enjoy. This helps you to understand what it is they are doing on the internet and also helps them to see that you understand. 
• Keep tabs on how the digital landscape is shifting – particularly the apps and social networks that your children may be using. 
• Discuss, negotiate and agree upon time allowed on devices, what for and when. 
• Explain clearly why boundaries are important – that it is for their wellbeing and their health. 
• Encourage and model downtime.
• Remind the children that their online reputation is and will be increasingly important – and that they have little to no control over content that they do share.

There’s a wide range of parent control programs you can use to lock down the device’s in your family. This should be embedded into the regular discussions you have about agreed upon screen time.

You can find more information here:

www.internetmatters.org/

www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/

This week’s Trashless Class winners are:

Year 4

Well done to them.

Remember to visit the student council stall at the Car Boot Sale today. 

All proceeds go towards the student council fund.

Check out our Stars of the Week and our Bronze, Silver and Gold House Point Certificate winners!

Finally I would like to extend a very warm welcome to two new students and their families who joined us this week:

Noah in F1

Elliot in Y4

Have a wonderful weekend.

Take care.

School Trips this week:

Year 4 went on an amazing trip last week to the Rasa Ria nature reserve where we learned all about the different types of animals and plants that live the diverse rainforest here in Borneo. We even bumped into a couple of Keeled Pit Vipers which was quite scary for some of us, especially Ms Moana as she hates snakes! We hiked up to the canopy bridge and got an amazing look at the beach below as we were so high up. On our way down we made a stop at the stingless bee hives and learned about how important bees are to life on earth. We even got to try some of their honey by sucking it directly from the hive with straws, what an experience!

Tom Adams

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Next week find out how Year two got on on their trip to Gayana Eco Resort.