By Mara Pattison-Sowden
YARRA Junction Primary School is one of the first schools in the state to sign up for the Victorian Government’s $10.5 million eSmart cyberbullying program.
The school has had a strong focus on proactive programs to help its students and staff stay safe and get the best out of new technology.
Education Minister Martin Dixon said he was confident eSmart would provide students with practical tips about behaving safely and appropriately online.
“Students today spend a lot of time the cyber world, so it’s important they are provided with the tools they need to stay safe in that space,” he said.
eSmart teaches students about protecting themselves from risks including cyberbullying and sexting, and also about the importance of protecting their own privacy.
Yarra Junction Primary School welfare officer Glenda Jewell said they used to be a welfare school, “now we’re a wellbeing school”.
“We don’t have a major problem with cyberbullying here but this technology is in the community, it’s there 24 hours a day and doesn’t shut down,” she said.
“We have to be one step ahead with teaching kids how to use it properly.
“It is here to stay and there’s good stuff to learn from it but it’s about being mindful to make the kids and the community safe.”
Ms Jewell said safety and responsibility with technology had become as important as learning English and maths and it was something the students take home and discuss in the broader community. Gembrook MP Brad Battin said Yarra Junction Primary School was to be commended for leading the charge against cyberbulling.
“Yarra Junction Primary is consistently looking for new programs to benefit its students,” he said. “Principal Chris Thomas should be applauded for his proactive approach to cyberbullying.”
The Alannah and Madeline Foundation worked with the RMIT School of Education and other education experts over three years to develop the school resource.
eSmart will play a key role in delivering on the Victorian Government’s commitment to stamp out bullying, combat violence in schools and provide students and parents with the support they need.
