This policy needs to be used in conjunction with the Department of School Education's "Computers in Schools" policy, Child Protection policy and the School's policies on anti-racism and anti-discrimination and discipline.

This school acknowledges the benefit of the Internet and its relevance to all Key Learning Areas.

All subject programs will have evidence of:

• development of skills, knowledge and attitudes which allow students to judge critically and effectively the validity and safety of the information they find on the Internet, and
• explicit opportunities for students to discuss moral and ethical issues associated with the use of the Internet.

Aims of Using the Internet at Rosebank School

The use of the Internet in this school will:

• Enhance students' learning opportunities and outcomes in all key learning areas.
• Assist students and staff to develop the information and communication skills necessary to use the Internet effectively and appropriately.
• Reflect community values.

Elements

This policy will address these points:

• The safety and privacy of students, staff and other Internet users.
• Code of Behaviour
• Management of Internet Access
• Equity of access
• Security
• Legal requirements and copyright

The safety and privacy of students, staff and other Internet users

• This school will not provide identifying data, such as full name, address or other information that describes the personal situation or location of students, staff or community members.
• Written permission from parents or guardians will be obtained before photographs are published.
• Students are warned about providing personal information across the Internet. It is very difficult to ensure that people are who they claim to be.
• It is the responsibility of all users to ensure that all passwords remain confidential and are known only to their rightful owners.

Code of Behaviour

• Students will complete the Internet Code of Behaviour document before using the Internet.
• Parents must read and sign the Code of Behaviour document before access is permitted.
• Breaches of the Code of Behaviour will result in loss of access to the Internet as specified in the School's Discipline Policy.

Management of Internet Access

• All teachers in this school have been inserviced in 'netiquette' and supervision practises to prevent students accessing inappropriate material.
• This school uses a variety of strategies to restrict access to inappropriate material.
• Students who access the Internet for email will be taught 'netiquette' and be made aware of legal and ethical implications of inappropriate behaviour, such as posting abusive, obscene or harassing messages, or using the school system for unauthorised private or commercial activities. Teaching of these skills will take place in Technology, PD and HSIE lessons.
• The Internet computer in this school are located in Mr Fuller's Room and are supervised by Mr Fuller (coordinator) who has responsibility for implementing the School's computer policy as it applies to the Internet.
• Students will not create their own web page, or edit an existing one, without consulting their supervising teacher.
• Students will not compose e-mail messages on-line without the supervision of the teacher in charge of the Internet session. Generally, students' e-mail messages will be composed off-line.
• Random checks of e-mail will be part of the supervision process.
• Requests for Internet searches will be discussed with the supervising teacher.

Equity of access

• To ensure that people who otherwise might not use the Internet have the confidence to do so, an introductory one hour session on the use of the Internet will be provided for the following groups (for example):
  ethnic groups, aboriginal students, disadvantaged students, all/new school staff, all/new parents, new students.

Security

• To access the DSE service this school uses an identification and authentication system developed by OzEmail and Nornet.
• This access is managed by the Internet Contact person.
• The school Computer policy outlines use of floppy discs and their implication for viruses and will apply to the use of the Internet service.
• Norton Anti Virus is used on all Internet machines to scan for viruses. The virus checker is updated three-monthly (or as prompted by the machine)
• The role of the Internet Contact Person has been negotiated.

Legal requirements and copyright

• Any material accessed from the Internet will be acknowledged (example of citations are available on http://www.connect.com)
• All copyright provisions will be adhered to.

Review and Provision

This policy will be reviewed annually by the school's Technology Committee and endorsed by the school's Executive, School Council and/or P&C Association.
This policy will also be reviewed in line with the school's on-going planning and reporting process.
During each review, any changes to copyright provisions will be investigated.