Educational Comment from the Senior Leadership Team - Mrs Argile on Internet Safety

It was great to read from the recent survey we carried out that students at Blackheath High were all confident on how to stay safe online.  This is not surprising as they are sensible girls and we have a robust programme of teaching e-safety through a variety of different platforms.  However, we feel that it is important to continuously educate students on how digital and social media should be used as it is an ever-changing field. 

On Tuesday 7^th February, we celebrated Safer Internet Day, which is a national initiative.  At Seniors, we held an assembly on Cyberbullying and why it is important to think about what you post online.  During form time, students watched a video on the Digital Footprint, which featured two of our Year 10 students who completed a day of filming with the GDST for use by both parents and student.  They then created a whole school display which is currently being put together.  At the Junior school, Mrs Gould led a whole school assembly on the Digital Footprint and the Digital Leaders and Ambassadors delivered and excellent Key Stage assembly on staying safe online.  There were also follow up activities for girls to complete in class on how to deal with any situations that would make them feel uncomfortable.

It is important that we provide these opportunities to prompt discussion.  I would also encourage you to speak to your daughters on the subject of staying safe online, as I am sure many of you do.  To help with this, there are some excellent resources on Firefly, including videos made specifically for parents of students at GDST schools (see below).  The internet is a wonderful place but social media is changing rapidly and whilst you may feel that you are an avid user, you will be amazed at how many different applications are out there that you have never heard of, yet your daughter will have!  I recognise this can be quite daunting, so have organised a Social Media evening for parents in the Summer term.  This will be an excellent opportunity for parents to find out what girls are interested in and there will be an opportunity to ask questions.  This will take place in the Summer term and I will provide details when the date has been confirmed.  It would be great to see as many of you as possible.

If you ever have any questions or would like advice on any matter relating to e-safety, please do contact me (n.argile@bla.gdst.net).

Natalie Argile
Assistant Head (Organisation and Communication)

E-safety page for Parents

Senior school:  https://blackheathsenior.fireflycloud.net/e-safety
Junior school:  https://blackheathjunior.fireflycloud.net/e-safety