Last week we were lucky to have John Parsons, Cyber Safety expert, to come and work with our school.

John Parsons works with educators, health, and the private sector providing specialist advice and direction on the safe and ethical use of digital communication technology. He uses an inclusive approach that provides opportunities to empower students, staff, and parents.  

Last week, John spoke to all our students, helping them to take ownership of their well being and to become confident, capable, and connected in their 'online world'. One example is talking to children about how they can keep them safe, one example he uses with children is 'bedroom, bathroom and pajama', the three things we do not show online and simple for the children to remember. To find out more got to - Bedroom, bathroom, and pajamas.

At the parent evening, John focused on the three most important assets a child needs to use technology safely - empathy, self-control, and a strong sense of self-worth, all of which can be found in a home that nurtures, loves, and protects the child. 

"The most important relationship a child has is the one they have with their family not the one they have with technology" John Parsons C21

After delivering some hard-hitting messages, he left us with some key messages to keep children safe, these resources can be viewed below:

• Cybersafety Tips for a parent- can be found in pdf document at the bottom of this article
• Live Streaming: Understand the risks for children
• Bedroom, bathroom, and pajamas
• How to deal with antisocial behavior
• Children and online games - A nosy parent is a loving parent
• Circle of lighthouses 
• Keeping your children safe online

At SBS, our goal is to protect every student from online harm while still allowing them to take advantage of the incredible possibilities the internet has opened up. Teachers work hard to ensure all our students have the skills, knowledge, and dispositions to stay safe online and use communication technology responsibly. With support from home, these messages will be reinforced.

SBS has partnered with FamilyZone, New Zealand’s leading provider of cyber safety and digital-awareness tools and services.

Family Zone helps keep kids safe online when they access the internet through the school’s network. This means if your child logs into any device, at home or school they are filtered through our network. To find out more go to SBS Cyber Hub. 

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The weeks flying by we have many exciting events coming up. Please check the school calendar often! 

Don't forget on Friday we will be having an assembly, come along at 9.10am and share in some Friday joy!

Nga mihi 

Lucy Naylor 
Principal/Tumuaki