Forest Crescent PS Digital Technology

Forest Crescent Primary has seen a structured and progressive rollout of technology that has been supported by school policy and action plans, developed in conjunction with the teaching staff and the ICT committee, which reflects the societal change, best instructional pedagogy and relevance to the students’ learning. This rollout has been supported by planned maintenance and upgrade of hardware, network and software as deemed necessary to meet the needs of student learning.

Online learning has been more evident with the use of learning programs involving Mathematical and Literacy Software, as well as assessment using ACER Online Literacy and Numeracy Testing. Progress has been made in the Home/School link with Information Technologies being used to communicate student learning via the use of email, newsletters, Microsoft PowerPoint and multimedia presentations on school assemblies and open nights.

In 2020 the school is continuing to utilise Digital Technology with an emphasis on cross-curricular links, through developing coding skills through online learning (Years 2-6), and involvement with various interactive robots (Years 1-6) in classrooms utilising Sphero, Dash & Dot and Lego EV3 Mindstorm. Year 2 to Year 6 students are also involved with an online typing program to increase their typing accuracy and speed; certainly, as online NAPLAN testing becomes mandatory.

Throughout 2020, as part of amalgamating Digitial Technology into the curriculum, various teachers have been involved with developing STEM learning programs in the class that integrate concepts and skills of Science, Technology (both digital and construction) Engineering and Maths.

The school’s Internet site development has progressed to allow easy access to the whole school community.

Parent support in this learning area is evident by the acceptance and use of our up-to-date technologies, which include the school app, email, website and Eftpos facilities.

All K – 6 classrooms (30 classes), staffroom and specialist staff have installed Smart Boards (through Parent’s & Citizen’s Association funding) and the use of technologies is increasing as staff and students become more proficient; utilising educational internet resources and staff-made resources to enhance learning.

Whilst the school has a fully functional Ethernet-based LAN permitting 2-4 PCs per classroom, plus mini-labs in block common areas, and a class-size lab in the library, the newly installed wireless access across all teaching blocks plus Administration has permitted the use of new technologies throughout the school, such as the regular refreshing of new iPads with educational apps being purchased that best support learning and collectively chosen by junior, middle and senior primary staff, in addition to sixty laptops and the use of networked TV’s in all learning areas. The school has also changed over to the SOE4 configuration for the management of our computer infrastructure and devices. In 2023 the senior primary block was provided with sixty-six new notebooks to facilitate better access to digital-based learning.

Forest Crescent Website is Available on Your Smartphone, Tablet and PC with a Responsive Layout

The Forest Crescent Primary website will display intuitively on all devices. The website uses CSS media queries to trigger different layout sets at various screen sizes. No longer will you need to zoom and scroll around when browsing on your tablet or mobile phone.  Works on modern Android and IOS phones (iPhones & Smartphones).

Important Notice

When loading the school’s web address on any devices, other than a PC, you will find links to (under “Navigation Menu);

  • School Purpose, Forest Crescent Forms, Parent Information, Information Brochures, Canteen News, Uniform Shop and School Banking Information, Reminders & FCPS Events~The calendar that lists events happening at FCPS.
  • Tap on “Home” to return to the home page.

Any major issues please send an email via Forest Crescent Primary’s email address.

Forest Crescent PS 2023 Targets

  • Increase uptake of Digital Technology across the schools, emphasising this technology to support and develop STEM principles.
  • Continuation of work on Website to ensure good communication between school, home and the wider community.
  • Investigation of different/enhanced interactive media.
  • Development in the use of iPad technologies.
  • Developing the Digital Technology Skills and Concepts checklist to direct staff in the learning programs required to be implemented at each year level and provide comprehensive data collection, using Kindy to Year 6 checklists, to better plan for more efficient and constructive use of Digital Technology.

Forest Crescent Primary Embraces Smart Use of Technology Through CYBERSAFETY

In the interests of our children’s online safety, regular Cyberbullying tips have been included in newsletters and cyber-incursions provided for, middle to senior classes when available. This page features some initiatives and information that may assist in keeping children and parents aware of cybersafety. Cybersafety is the safe and responsible practice regarding the use of the Internet and all information and communication technology devices (including computers, mobile phones, digital cameras and webcams)

Cybersmart is part of the Australian Government’s cyber safety program. Cybersmart provides activities, resources and practical advice to help young kids, kids, teens and parents safely enjoy the online world.

Of the 53,111 counselling contacts received by young people during 2009, a total of 2,176 (4.1%) recorded either bullying or cyberbullying as the main reason for contact. Consistent with other research findings, girls have been found to experience cyberbullying slightly more often than boys.

The online survey and data from Kids Helpline suggest that most cyberbullying occurs in late primary school and early high school. During the 2009 year, the most common age group to contact Kids Helpline regarding cyberbullying were 10/14-year olds (50.6%), followed by 15/18-year-olds (44.2%). While many of the dynamics remain the same across the ages, cyberbullying in the primary school years usually focused on appearances while cyberbullying in the secondary years tends to focus on the way people act, especially if they do not fit the norm.

In April 2019, Paul Litherland an ex-police officer hosted a Partnerships with Parents workshop about the increasingly complex and vitally important topic of cyber-safety Paul also offered some great tips and hints to help you maintain your sanity and peace of mind that your kids are doing what is expected of them. See Surf Online Safe Website for further information. An additional reference is the Australian Government eSafety Website.

Continuing in the same vein, another informative site is the National Safety Online Site (UK based). Below are information pages about various social media. There are more guides on the site, and they are regularly updated. Most social media sites and apps are limited to 13+ years, above the ages of most of our students, and therefore shouldn’t be accessed by our students. Providing this information is not an acknowledgement that Forest Crescent Primary endorses social media use by our students. Rather, it provides information that allows parents and children to realise social media apps and sites’ issues.

What parents need to know about SCREEN ADDICTION

It can be challenging for parents and carers to know whether children are spending too much time on their devices. Furthermore, it’s even more of a challenge to know whether a child is addicted to the internet and social media. As technology is becoming more pervasive, children and young people are experiencing tech-related dependencies.

Online Grooming

Online Grooming is when someone befriends and builds an emotional relationship with a child and communicates with them through the internet with the intent to commit a sexual offence. This type of victimisation can take place across any platform; from social media and messaging apps to online gaming and live streaming. Often it involves young people being tricked, forced or pressured into doing something they wouldn’t normally do (coercion) and often the groomer’s goal is to meet the victim in a controlled setting to sexually or physically abuse them. In some cases, children may be abducted or have long-lasting psychological damage.

Online Bullying

What is online bullying?
Online bullying – also known as cyberbullying – is bullying that takes place ON THE INTERNET or via electronic devices and mobile phones….

12 Top Tips To Get Smart About The Devices In Your Home

Smart devices promise to make our lives easier. In many cases – they do, however these new technologies present risks too. Whether you’re using a digital assistant to record your shopping list or you’re controlling your lights through a smart system, many smart functions can be ‘hacked’ and controlled by someone outside your home. This guide will help you identify some of the ways you can stay alert and protect yourself.

9 Top Tips To Get Smart About Children’s Devices

Children are using smart devices from a much younger age than ever before. It’s why it’s essential we talk to our children about how to use them safely. There are so many positive benefits to the new technology at our disposal these days – however, there are plenty of downsides too. As a parent, it’s important you understand these risks and how you can take steps to protect your family against them.

Information for Specific Social Media

The following information is available for specific social media that children may be using. Just use the “Click Here” function to access the PDF.

What Parents Need to Know About Fortnite

‘Fortnite – Battle Royale.’ is a free to play section of the game Fortnite.’ The game sees 100 players dropped on to an island from a ‘battle bus,’ where they have to compete until one survivor remains. The last remaining player on the island wins the game.

What Parents Need to Know About Grand Theft Auto

Grand Theft Auto is an action-adventure video game series where players control criminals and wreak havoc in order to complete missions and progress through the game.

What Parents Need to Know About Instagram

Instagram is a hugely popular social networking app with over 1 billion snap-happy users worldwide. The app, which is accessible on iOS and Android devices, allows users to upload images and videos to their feed, like an online gallery.

What Parents Need to Know About Kik

Kik (or Kik Messenger) is a free messaging app used by 300 million people worldwide that lets users exchange messages, photos, videos, GIFs and webpages via a Wi-Fi connection or data plan. Kik is unusual in that your child can sign up without a phone number and then send and message other people via just their username.

What Parents Need to Know About Minecraft

Minecraft is played by millions of children around the world, who use their imagination to build three-dimensional worlds with virtual building blocks in a digital, pixelated landscape. It is classed as a ‘sandbox game,’ which means players have the freedom to build their own creations with ‘blocks’ they collect and also have the opportunity to explore other people’s creations with their characters. Players can choose from thousands of different ‘servers’ to join, which are created by other players, making every experience of Minecraft unique.

What Parents Need to Know About Twitch

Twitch is a gaming-focused live-streaming service, owned by Amazon, where you can watch others play games live and listen to commentary as they play. It has 15 million daily active users. More than three million people live broadcast video game streams and other content on Twitch, with channels dedicated to just about every popular video game imaginable – both modern and retro.

What Parents Need to Know About Twitter

Twitter is a social networking site where users can publicly post ‘tweets’ or short messages, photos, and videos. They can also share ‘tweets’ written by others to their followers. Twitter is popular with young people, as it allows them to interact with celebrities, stay up to date with news, trends and current social relevance.

What Parents Need to Know About TikTok

TikTok is a global video community where users create, share and discover ‘funny and memorable moments’ via short video clips – typically about 15 seconds long. Videos can be ‘spiced up’ with special effect filters, stickers, music and sound clips.

What Parents Need to Know About Snapchat

Snapchat is a photo-sharing app for mobile phones and tablets. The app allows users to share images, videos and chat with friends through voice call or text message. Users can share images and videos directly to specific friends, or through a ‘story’ shared with their entire friend list, which documents the previous 24 hours.

What Parents Need to Know About YouTube

YouTube is an online platform – owned by Google – where anyone can upload & watch video content. All different types of information, advice & entertainment are uploaded & billions of people tune in to watch, rate & comment on it. As a parent, it’s important you understand exactly what content your children might be seeing.

What Parents Need to Know About Roblox

According to the Roblox website, ‘Roblox is the world’s largest interactive social platform for play.’ For those of you who are unfamiliar with the game, it is a multi-player online gaming platform which allows children to play and create a variety of games in a 3D world.

What Parents Need to Know About WhatsApp

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in
the world, with more than 1.5 billion people in more than
180 countries using it to send and receive text, photos,
videos and documents, as well as make voice and video
calls through an Internet or Wi-Fi connection.