Parents


Dear Parents,

We have set up this site for the benefit of our students. With your help we hope to use it to improve students’ writing skills, and to develop an awareness of their responsibilities in relation to internet safety.
We are using the ABC news show “Behind the News” as a springboard for discussion about current events. Many of the issues presented have two sides, giving students practice in providing the background information, detailing both sides of the arguement, and forming an opinion based on the facts presented. This is a skill they will find useful during their secondary education.
In their writing, students are increasingly resorting to spelling abbreviations and poor punctuation. By putting their writing on display, we hope to make students more aware of the need for correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.
A danger associated with a site that has not been restricted is that someone may choose to leave inappropriate or offensive comments. We have the option of moderating comments, but feel that it may be helpful to deal with this issue as a group, demonstrating how someone who has made an inappropriate comment should be ignored and blocked, rather than engaged with.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Read their writing. Most writing is done for just the teacher and has little other purpose than pleasing the teacher. Engage with them to give their writing greater purpose.
Comment on their opinion. If they have presented a weak arguement, encourage them to provide evidence or support their arguement with facts. If they have presented a strong arguement, acknowledge their efforts.
Comment on their spelling and punctuation. (Gently) remind them that it is not only teachers who demand that language conventions are followed.
Offer ideas for improvements to the site.

A big part of this exercise is internet safety. Children are explicity taught skills to increase their knowledge of safe and unsafe practices when using the internet. They are currently involved in a competition to produce internet safety posters which will be displayed around the school wherever there are computers. A link to a site that guides them through safe practices is also included on the home page, along with other useful links.

If you do not want your child to participate in this project, please contact your child’s teacher immediately.

Thank you.