We have just completed the NZ Police 'Keeping Ourselves Safe' Programme.

As part of our recent NZ Police Keeping Ourselves Safe programme, our class has been learning about ways to stay safe both in person and online. A key focus has been on understanding that the internet can be a great place to learn, connect, and play—but it also has risks.

Many students shared that they use devices in their bedrooms and often go online out of sight of parents or caregivers. Some have also said they have chatted with people online whom they do not know in real life.

We have talked about:

• Only talking online to people we know and trust in real life
  
  

• Never sharing personal information such as full name, address, school, photos, or passwords
  
  

• Letting a trusted adult know if they see or hear something online that makes them feel uncomfortable
  
  

• Being careful with apps, games, and websites that allow messaging with strangers
  
  

• Understanding that many apps and social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat) have a minimum age requirement of 13 years for safety and privacy reasons
  
  

We have also discussed personal safety around touch, including:

• Touch we like (safe, kind, and welcome)
  
  

• Touch we don’t like (hurts us, makes us feel unsafe, or is unwanted)
  
  

• Touch that confuses us (unsure if it is safe or appropriate)
  Students have been encouraged to use the “Stop, Walk, Talk” strategy—stop what is happening, walk away from the situation, and talk to a trusted adult.
  
  

How you can help at home:

• Keep devices in shared family spaces, where you can see and hear what’s happening online
  

• Talk regularly with your child about their online activity and the people they interact with
  

• Set clear boundaries and time limits for device use
  

• Check that the apps your child is using are age-appropriate
  

• Create a family emergency plan so your child knows what to do, who to call, and where to find a phone in an emergency
  

• Explore online safety resources together (e.g., Netsafe NZ)
  
  

By working together, we can help our children enjoy the benefits of the internet while staying safe and protected—in both the digital and physical world.

Stay safe

Year 5 Teachers

Mrs MacIver, Mrs Whooley, Mrs Vermeij, Mrs Stuart