As the term rolls on through, it is hard to believe it is already week seven of the first term of 2019. For Year 7’s, your sons should have gotten used to life as an STC man and used to the systems and structures that the school follows. For our Year 8’s, its back into the routines carried on from last year.

The 21st Century poses many new challenges and issues in the education system, none being more prevalent than technology. The rise of cell phone usage and social media has given everyone great new experiences and platforms to showcase their lives but also poses huge amounts of risk associated when not used properly.

For our boys in the intermediate school, it is vitally important that good education is given around using devices and social media and gaming apps that come with them. Ultimately for our students in Years 7 & 8 this is a time where social media and device activity increases. Games like Fortnite and social platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram, when not used properly, can be detrimental to all involved. Monitoring your son’s device, their activity and screen time will be key in mitigating and eliminating any negative and harmful events.

Over the remaining weeks at school there will be a heightened increase in the education of healthy online behaviour, and around tips and tools with online and social media activity. This will be done through messages and presentations at assemblies and through health education classes. It must be noted this year at St Thomas’, there has been a full ban on cell phones in the classroom across Years 7-10 with teachers putting all student phones in plastic boxes prior to the class beginning. Again, monitoring your son’s devices, reinforcement of these messages at home and promoting heathy positive online behaviour is much appreciated.

If you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Chris Leader - Year 7 and 8 Dean

cleader@stc.school.nz