At St. Francis Xavier’s Primary School, we appreciate the positive impact that the online world can have on children's education. We provide children with regular and rich opportunities to learn about the importance of staying safe online, both at home and at school. These include:

• Participating in Safer Internet Day annually 
• Online safety competitions 
• Discussions with children during every Computing lesson or cross-curricular use of ICT about how to stay safe 
• Computing units within the curriculum with a focus on leaving a positive digital footprint (such as website design in Year five and online safety in Year six) 
• Digital leaders within school to promote online safety 
• Workshops with children from outside agencies, such as the NSPCC
• Parent workshops 

Information from UK Safer Internet Centre (1st March 2019).  The most recent update regarding the MOMO app is that it is a hoax.

The UK Safer Internet Centre has been aware of “momo” for nearly a year- from what we know it is like a chain-mail type situation, much like blue whale people send on the “challenges” we have also had reports of people adding the cartoon face to seemingly innocuous YouTube video’s, just for “fun”. It has reared it’s ugly head as one parent posted about it on Facebook last week, that post has then be shared thousands of times, creating panic. We do not have a prepared statement but our feelings and advice regarding the “momo” scare are similar to the “blue whale game”. While there have been some reports of a game being played, it transpires to be more of a chain-mail type situation and no reports have been verified.

Parents Online Safety Workshop

A big thank you to all the parents who attended the NSPCC Parents Online Safety Workshop. We received an insight into our children's online world. We understand that children love using new technology and see the online world as creative, fun and exciting.  We discussed a range of ways we can work together to create a safe, vibrant and educational online community.

Please find below the resources shared with parents during the workshop. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesistate to ask in school.  

Website Design 

Year 5 have been evaluating, designing and creating their own website! As part of this unit, we learned all about staying safe online and leaving a positive digital footprint as it is a collective responsbility to make the internet a safe, fun and educational place! 

Safer Internet Day 2018 

"Create, Connect and Share Respect

A better internet starts with you"

Children and young people, schools, parents and carers, and organisations all across the UK are invited to make a pledge to do something great and positive online this Safer Internet Day using the hashtag #ItStartsWithUs.

Safer Internet Day 2018 was celebrated globally on Tuesday 6th February 2018.

At St Francis Xavier's R.C Primary School every class took part through classroom discussions in line with UK Safer Internet Centre guidance.  Each child completed their own #ItStartsWithUs jigsaw template. They decorated them with fantastic tips about how to stay safe online and how responsibly manage our own digital footprint.  

For more information please visit 

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/

Please see below a KS1 and KS2 powerpoint which were shared and discussed with children on Safer Internet Day. 

Our Internet Safety Day is held in February each year but we have regular curriculum updates throughout the year. 

Online Safety Agreement 

Parents and carers play a crucial role in ensuring that their children understand the need to use the internet and mobile devices in in appropriate way.  At St Francis Xavier's R.C Primary School, we have designed an E-Safety agreement which outlines how parents/carers, the school and pupils can work together to stay safe online.

The E-safety agreement is revisited and signed annually by parents/carers, the school and pupils. A copy is kept at home and school to be referred to or revisited during discussions about online safety.

Should you have any questions regarding the E-Safety Agreement, please do not hesitate to talk to your child's class teacher.