Agreement

Please sign each section below.

I/We will pay the school fees as set each year and comply with all other matters concerning the school as set out in the prospectus.

OFFICE USE ONLY

Digital Technology and Cybersafety user agreement

Digital technology continues to create opportunities to learn and connect our school community. East Otago High School believes in using a digital citizenship model to support safe, responsible, and ethical use of digital technology and online spaces as it helps our online environment to be a positive place for everyone.

This agreement outlines East Otago High School’s role in promoting the use of digital technology and online spaces for learning and supporting online safety approaches. It also outlines the expectations and responsibilities of students as a member of our online community. It will also be used to support discipline processes when necessary.

East Otago High School’s role

East Otago High School recognises a student’s right to receive a high-quality education in a safe online and offline environment.

We will do this by:

• providing information and support to ensure you are aware of and able to meet, your responsibilities
• teaching a curriculum that promotes positive online safety behaviours
• overseeing students’ use of the school’s/kura digital devices and platforms
• offering access to the internet and online services that are not unreasonably restricted
• using filtering software to minimise access to inappropriate online content
• allowing the use of technology for personal reasons during break times as long as it does not negatively impact on self and others
• supporting students who need help dealing with online incidents
• taking action when a negative online experience occurs between students even if it takes place outside of school hours
• securing the personal information the school collects about you
• protecting your freedom of expression under New Zealand’s Bill of Rights
• having a plan in place to support students when something serious or illegal happens. This might include getting in touch with the Police or Netsafe.

Your Responsibilities:

As a student of East Otago High School and a member of our community, it is expected that you will positively contribute towards making our school or kura a place that is safe, respectful, and fair online and offline. This means enacting our school values in online spaces and helping to shape a positive online culture. This is being a ‘digital citizen’.

As a digital citizen, you will:

• Keep it positive. Always respect others online and communicate in a constructive way. Do not create or publish content that is indecent, threatening, or offensive.
• Protect privacy. Do not disclose sensitive personal information about yourself or another person in any digital communication. This includes sharing passwords, accessing devices or online sites belonging to others without consent and taking screenshots, and sharing this content without consent.
• Act cautiously. Anything you post or do online can influence what people think of you. Likewise, always think carefully about whether the information you see online is true. If you are unsure of something talk to a teacher.
• Avoid online bullying. Creating or forwarding content that is harmful, inappropriate, or hurtful is never okay at any time, and may breach legislation (The Harmful Digital Communications Act). If you are harassing people by sending multiple messages this is also considered online bullying and is unacceptable.
• Be security smart. Keep personal information safe and secure by using strong passwords and not sharing them with others. This includes not accessing devices or online sites belonging to others without consent, nor taking screenshots and on-sharing their personal content without their knowledge and permission.
• Check consent. Before downloading software to the school network or onto devices, seek permission. Interfering with the school systems, digital technologies, equipment/network or the online security of another person is never okay at any time.
• Recognise others work. Follow copyright and intellectual property requirements by attributing references, images, text, audio, and video appropriately.
• Respect the rights of others. Only record and share video, photo, or audio content if the people in it know it has been taken and have provided their consent.
• Use personal devices sensibly. Keep your device(s) on silent during school hours and only use it outside of class time unless you have been given permission to use it during lessons.
• Seek help. Sometimes you or someone you know will feel unsafe or come across inappropriate or hurtful online content and behaviours. If this happens talk to a trusted adult about what can be done, or contact Netsafe directly.

Online Incidents

Despite the advantages technology offers and people’s best intentions, sometimes there will be challenges and risks within an online community – either accidentally or on purpose. East Otago High School is committed to supporting you if something goes wrong online.

Online bullying. Incidents of online bullying or harm will not be tolerated at our school/kura or kura. If you or somebody else is being bullied or harmed online, it’s never okay at any time. This type of harm doesn’t usually just go away. It’s important to keep the evidence of what is happening to you or someone so this can be investigated. Don’t put yourself at further risk by continuing any contact with the person or people who are bullying online, or creating harmful or hurtful content. It’s very important to let Mr. Fleury or your Dean know what’s happening so you can get the right help and support you need.  You should also consider talking to a trusted adult like your parent, your whānau, or your guardian for support.

Report a problem. You should report an online incident or if you suspect something is happening online as soon as you can to Mr. Fleury. Once the school is made aware of a problem, they will assess the problem and work to resolve it.

Online safety support. Netsafe is an online safety organisation that is also available to help. They provide free confidential advice seven days a week for all online safety challenges. They can be contacted on 0508 638723 or online at netsafe.org.nz

Generic Permission Letter

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

This letter is to inform all parents and caregivers of the new streamlined method of gaining consent for the
various East Otago High School educational, cultural and sporting activities. This will only include
consent for day trips, transportation in buses, school vans or private vehicles driven by experienced staff
members or parents. Overnight trips will require specific, individualized permission from you prior to the
trip commencing.
From now on we will only require one consent for the duration of a student’s enrolment at our school. We will require
you as Parents and Caregivers to be diligent in keeping all information, including medical and emergency
contact information stored on the Kamar Parent Portal, current and correct. This includes medical
information, dietary requirements and emergency contacts. This will alleviate the need for multiple forms
to be filled out during the school year.

If there is a need to change any of your details on Kamar (school student management system) during
the year, please send a request to do this. To check/change your details on Kamar, you need to do
the following:

 Sign into the Parent Portal on the school website.
 Click on the ‘details’ tab third from the right, then details again.
 Click on the ‘Edit Details’ on the far right.
 To make changes, fill in the yellow boxes as needed and click ‘Save” at the top right.

Risk assessment management strategies (RAMS) will still be completed in accordance with the Board policy for each
activity. A letter will also be emailed to parents/caregivers prior to each trip informing them of costs, staffing,
times and any other relevant details.

Your prompt attendance to this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Keith Fleury.