At Stanley Bay our values are RESPECT, RESILIENCE, and INTEGRITY.

Throughout the term we embed the values into our everyday teaching and actions, raising children to become people of integrity won’t ‘just happen’ - we place the importance of intentionally modeling and teaching this character trait.

Integrity is not just about honesty or trustworthiness. Integrity involves every decision we make. It is about making the right choice for the right reason — not because of the praise we receive, but because it’s the right thing to do. And it isn’t only about what we do in front of others; it’s about how we respond even when we’re alone when no one sees or knows. In simple terms, it is ‘doing the right thing when no one is watching’.

It is challenging to explain integrity to a child, at school we often use scenarios to make it relevant and meaningful. ‘What if’ is a game that you can play at home, a great conversation starter at the dinner table!

What if…

• You saw your best friend steal a pen from the teacher's desk?
• Your grandmother dropped $20 on the same day you wanted to buy a new game?
• You see the last piece of chocolate cake on the bench, no one is around, but you know your sister is saving it for later?
• You see someone being teased?
• You are alone in the kitchen and see a bag of lollies, no one will notice if you take a few.
• You see some rubbish on the ground that you didn’t drop
• You accidentally break your mums favorite glass
• Your friends all want to play but you have homework to do. Your dad asks if you have homework.
• You are in the dairy and your friend tells you to steal a small bag of lollies, it's only small and no one will see.

When we are at school we would spend time talking and thinking about integrity, this is reinforced by our House Leaders who prepare activities for the whole school to participate in at House Assemblies. They are often the highlight of the week for many children!

During the lockdown, our very capable House Leaders have prepared some short videos to explain this integrity to the children (at bottom of the article). Please use password sbs to watch the videos.

Switch on to Safety 

Like many schools in NZ we use Network for Learning (N4L) to manage our IT network, they offer a holistic approach and provide filters, support and advice and help us to keep the children safe online at school. 

Switch on Safety Service supports all learners across primary, intermediate and secondary education to learn in a safe online environment, regardless of their location or the network they are connected to. The web filter blocks websites that could be harmful to children.

As part of an overall online safety plan, Network for Learning’s (N4L) Switch on Safety Service is available to support online learning on devices used to undertake school work. It is a free, simple way to block the worst of the web. 

To find out more go to the information on the Learning from home website. Instructions for the specific device a child uses can be accessed directly at switchonsafety.co.nz.

Remember that safety can’t be provided by technology alone – it requires a holistic approach. For tips and advice to support online safety conversations, please direct them to information at www.netsafe.org.nz.

As always please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Fingers crossed we look forward to seeing you all back at school before too long. 

Nga mihi

Lucy Naylor

Principal/Tumuaki 

With safety in mind, our videos are password protected for security. Please note we have no control over any other videos recommended by Vimeo.