How often have you googled or used the internet in the past twelve hours? The internet is a great place to learn a variety of new skills and information. As adults, we have the advantage of life experience to help us detect the ‘dodgy’ internet sites, but how do we protect children from such sites?

As part of National eSmart Week, yesterday, Brett Lee, former detective in cyber crime, spent time educating our Year 3 to Year 6 students, staff members, parents and carers on internet safety.

Brett’s key messages for students to remember are:

The internet is public and permanent;

I protect my personal details online;

People I know only on the internet are strangers;

We all have rules on the computer and internet;

I talk to a trusted adult if I have an online problem. Online problems only get solved offline.

Some great strategies for parents to give children should they be affected by online bullying are: block, delete, ignore, report.  For more tips from Brett click HERE.

Please take some time to revisit these important messages with your child.

Figuratively speaking, the drought is over! Not only have we welcomed some winter rain, our Holy Spirit Rugby League Team won the Les Stagg Cup on Monday night. The last time we won this competition was in 1997??? On Tuesday, a number of students competed in the NQ Athletics Trials. There are many areas in which our students excel, our students are equally impressive in The Arts and academics.

Year 4 students Charlotte Hammond and Deona Emmanuel were recognised for their art work in the Soroptimist Art Competition. Next week the Holy Spirit Flames will compete against other catholic schools in the annual Quest for Knowledge. There are many gifts but the one Spirit!

This Sunday is Father's Day, children have a huge head start in life when they are surrounded by love. Thank you to the many fathers and men who undertake the 'fathering role', we appreciate your contribution to the students in our school.

Have a wonderful Father's Day.

God bless,

Geraldine