Acceptable Use Policy Agreement

Students and parents/caregivers:

Please read this material carefully to understand your responsibilities under this agreement.

Sign the appropriate section on this form and take a copy for your own and your son’s/daughter’s record.

We understand that Whitby Collegiate will:

• Do its best to keep the school cyber safe by maintaining an effective cyber safety programme. This includes working to restrict access to inappropriate, harmful or illegal material on the internet or any devices at school (school owned or privately owned) while at school or on school-related activities, and enforcing the rules and requirements detailed in this AUP.
• Keep a copy of this signed document on file.
• Respond appropriately to any breaches of this AUP.
• Provide members of the school community with cyber safety education from time to time, designed to complement and support this AUP.

 

I can Manage Myself by:

• Only using the internet at school in a seated, classroom, supervised area.
• Logging on using my own user name and password at all times.
• Not allowing anyone else to use my user name or log on while at school, or during any school-related activity, with the exception of the IT department or a teacher for trouble shooting/assistance as required.
• Not having any involvement with any material or activity which might put myself or anyone else at risk e.g. bullying/harassment.
• Being able to demonstrate that when I am using the internet at school it is for school work or school related activities only.
• Not accessing or attempting to access inappropriate, age restricted or objectionable material. (Objectionable in this context means materials that deal with matters such as sex, cruelty or violence in such a manner that it is likely to be injurious to the good of students or incompatible with a school environment. This is intended to be inclusive of the definitions used in the Films, Videos and Publications Classifications Act 1993).
• Not downloading, saving or distributing such material by copying, saving, storing, printing or showing it to others.
• Not using peer-to-peer file sharing networks.
• Not making any attempt to get round or bypass security, monitoring or filtering that is in place at school. VPNs are strictly prohibited.
• Not using the network for commercial purposes, including the purchase of items through the Internet.
• Should I accidentally access inappropriate materials, I will do all of the following things:
  • I will not show others.
  • I will turn off the screen or minimise the window.
  • I will report the incident to a teacher immediately.
  • Whitby Collegiate has an open door policy for such incidences.

• Not downloading any files such as music and videos unless I am sure this complies with the Copyright Act 1994. I also understand that anyone who infringes copyright may be personally liable under the law.
• Not giving out personal information (including photos) online about myself or any other persons, unless authorised by the school. (Personal information includes name, address, email address, phone numbers and photos.)

I can Participate and Contribute by:

• Respecting all ICT systems in use at school and treat all ICT equipment and devices with care. This includes:
  • Not intentionally disrupting the smooth running of any school ICT system.
  • Not attempting to hack or gain unauthorised access to any system.
  • Following all school cyber safety rules and not joining in if other students choose to be irresponsible.
  • Informing staff if I know others are being irresponsible.
  • Reporting any breakages/damage to a staff member.

I can Relate Positively to Others by:

• Making all communication respectful, thoughtful and careful at all times.
• Behaving in a way that shows respect to self, property and others, at all times.
• Not using technology at any time to upset, offend, harass, threaten or in any way harm anyone connected to the school or the school itself, even if it is intended as a joke. 

I can show I am Thinking by:

• Using only permitted devices at the times I am allowed to during the school day.
• Connecting a personal device with no other method (including hotspot) than the school’s internet.
• Using no mail service, social networking or message service other than the school provided mail service at school. ‘Other’ includes things such as Facebook, Snapchat, WhatsApp, SMS messaging or equivalent.
• Remembering that the rules of use for school accounts apply regardless of whether accounts is being used at school or at home.
• Remembering that I can use the internet for independent research on any topic provided it does not breach any of these rules.
• Understanding that these rules apply to any privately owned device or equipment (laptop, USB etc.) that I bring to school or to any school-related activity. Any images or material on my devices/equipment must be appropriate to the school environment.

Through the use of Language, Symbols and Texts I will:

• Use appropriate language when communicating at all times.
• Check with a teacher before sending any form of communication to anyone outside of school.
• Use social media appropriately.
• Not create any content involving the Whitby Collegiate name or brand without the express permission of the Executive Principal
• Refer to the Whitby Collegiate Community Social Media Guidelines.

My responsibilities include:

• Reading this AUP carefully and ensuring that I understand all of it.
• Follow the rules for the use of a personal device at school and when using the school’s internet at large.
• Avoiding any involvement with material or activities which could put at risk my own safety or the privacy, safety and security of the school or any members of the school community.
• Taking proper care of my and school devices, understanding that I may be held responsible for damage to or loss of school technology equipment.
• Asking my Tutor Teacher if I am not sure about anything to do with this agreement.

My responsibilities include:

• Reading this AUP carefully and discussing it with my son/daughter so we both have a clear understanding of their role in maintaining safe online practices and behaviour.

• Ensuring this AUP is signed by my son/daughter and by me, and returned to the school by the due date.

• Encouraging my son/daughter to follow all aspects of the AUP.

This AUP will remain in force for as long as your son/daughter is enrolled at Whitby Collegiate. It will be renewed on a yearly basis to ensure that guidelines are up to date and current.