Acceptable Use Policy
The need for ICT/AUP
Today’s society is technologically sophisticated whereby tablets, mobile phones, laptops, computers, Internet and social media, dominates and permeates all facets of our existence. Schools are a microcosm of modern society, and we here in St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School, reflect this reality in the use of ICT in the learning and teaching. As a result, it is incumbent on us as a school community to ensure that technology is used in an ethical, legal and correct manner ensuring that disruptions and distractions to the learning and teaching are not interfered with. Therefore this policy will address the rights, privileges, responsibilities and actions associated with the internet and software and hardware equipment and, will address the safe, acceptable and responsible use of many aspects of Internet and technological usage. The ICT/AUP policy of St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School aims to adhere to the principles of Digital Citizenship which consist of the following:
- Respect Yourself
- Protect Yourself
- Respect Others
- Protect Others
- Respect Copyright
- Respect Technology
- Acceptance (of said policy)
This policy will be reviewed on an ongoing basis as part of best practice.
The Aim of this policy is to:
To ensure mobile phones are used appropriately, and are not interrupting the learning and teaching as well as being compliant with St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School’s Code of Behaviour.
To ensure that the I.T. facilities within the school, including staff iPads, assist in the learning and teaching, and are carried out in a safe and effective way, benefitting students and staff.
- To ensure that students and staff are aware of their responsibilities and rights, as well aware of what is acceptable and what is unacceptable behaviour.
- To ensure Staff of St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School can work within an environment that facilitates this, free from harassment and intimidation.
- To ensure St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School can adapt to changing needs and circumstances, legally and all others.
General:
- Use of personal memory sticks (USB), CD-ROMS, cloud storage or other digital storage media within school requires a teacher’s permission
- Uploading or downloading of non-approved software will not be permitted
- Filtering software and/or similar and/or equivalent system(s) will be used in order to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material
- Internet sessions will always be conducted under the care of a teacher
- Virus protection software will be used and updated regularly
- Students will treat others with respect at all times and will undertake to not bring themselves, their school and others into disrepute through their use of ICT as outlined with St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School’s Anti Bullying Policy.
Therefore, users must be aware that they should not have any expectation of personal privacy in the use of these ICT resources. Personal information, however, is not publically accessible outside the school network. School management reserves the right to monitor and review the use of ICT resources and will do so as needed to ensure that systems are being used for educational purposes. It is important, therefore, that the whole school community (students, staff, parents/guardians, Trustees and the BOM) understands this and recognises that monitoring access:
- Increases safety and security of people and resources by supporting a positive learning and work environment, safety from harassment, intimidation and threats
- Promotes appropriate and safe internet access and electronic communication
- Discourages breaches of confidentiality, copy right infringements and inappropriate file downloads and print requests.
Use of Internet:
- Students will use the internet for educational purposes only
- Students will not intentionally visit Internet sites that contain illegal, obscene, hateful or otherwise, objectionable materials
- Students will report accidental accessing of inappropriate materials in accordance with school procedures
- Students will not copy information into assignments or projects or homework and fail to acknowledge the source (Copyright and Plagiarism infringement).
- Students will not download materials or images not relevant to their studies (as this is a direct breach of this ICT/AUP policy and is strictly forbidden).
- Students will not ever disclose or publicise personal information of their own or any other person
- Teachers and all staff members will not share their personal details with students, including personal mobile numbers, personal email addresses or social networking personal details. Instead exchanges of notes, assignments, resources, information etc. may only be done through teachers’ school email addresses and teachers’ cloud storage facilities. This is done to protect both student and teacher from any potential harassment, embarrassment, inappropriate allegation or Child Protection issue that could arise in the absence of such a monitored and transparent communication system, as per Teacher Council guidelines.
- Students will not access social networking sites while in school or during school hours unless explicitly instructed by a teacher to do so and under a teacher’s direct supervision and instruction. This access restriction applies to all social networking sites, and all future and new social networking sites that may arise at a later date.
School Website:
- The School website will be regularly checked to ensure that there is no content that compromises the safety of students and staff
- The publication of student work will be co-ordinated, approved and monitored by a teacher
- Students will continue to own the copyright on any work published
- The School will endeavor to use digital photographs, audio and video clips focusing on group activities
- Website using facilities such as comments and user- generated content is checked regularly to ensure no personal details are contained on website.
Email:
- Student will use approved class/school email accounts under the supervision and permission of a teacher
- Students will not share login names or passwords with each other nor use another person’s account
- Students will not send or knowingly receive any material that is illegal, obscene, defamatory or intended to annoy or intimidate another person
- Students will not reveal their own or another individual’s personal details such as addresses, phone numbers, photographs, etc.
- Students will not ever arrange to meet face-to-face with someone they only know through social networking sites or the internet or by email
- Students will not send nor receive email attachments unless they have the permission and supervision of a member of the teaching staff
- Internet chat rooms, discussion forums and other electronic communications will only be used for educational purposes and only accessed when a teacher gives permission and supervises
- Unrecognisable usernames will be used in such incidences in order to avoid disclosure of identity.
Mobile Phones:
- Students may carry their mobile phone on their person, but it must be switched off except during small break (10:50 am – 11:05 am) and lunchtime (1:00 pm – 1: 30 pm), as per Code of Behaviour and under the instruction of a teacher
- During whole school exams (Christmas, Mocks and Summer Exams) mobile phones must be switched off in the exam hall. Exam papers will be cancelled for a student(s) if a mobile phone goes off in the exam hall
- Mobile phones cannot be used in any way between classes, on the way to classes or before classes. Mobile phones may only be used before school commences (8:47 am each day), during said breaks and after school (post 3:30 pm)
- If a student needs to contact home urgently during the School day, they may proceed, with teacher’s permission to School Office and use School phone with Office approval. If a parent(s)/guardian(s) needs to contact his/her son/daughter urgently, they can do so by phoning the school and the office staff will relay message to the student promptly, where and when applicable
- If a student requires checking for a text message outside the permitted times, they may do so by reporting to the School Office and seeking permission from the School Principal or School Deputy Principal
- A student cannot use their phone to take a photograph of a member of staff or another student
- If a student breaches any of these rules, the phone and SIM card will be confiscated immediately and given to the Year Head who will enforce the School Code of Behaviour Policy.
At all times, the privacy of the student shall be respected. Where the data on a phone is accessed it shall only be to determine whether there was a misuse, not to monitor the private activities of the owner.
Exempt cases:
There are certain events throughout the course of the school year whereby activities and trips may see the use of a mobile phone in which photographs. If a student or students are unsure about the appropriateness, the guidance and/or advice from a member of staff should be sought, because if the Principal or Deputy Principal believe such an action to be inappropriate, sanctions as per Code of Behaviour shall apply.
iPads:
As of December 2014 staff (teaching and secretarial) of St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School have school iPads. These iPads are the property of St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School and, the staff is, requested to use these iPads for the learning and teaching in St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School, only and not for personal use.
Sanctions:
The misuse of the internet and school software and hardware equipment, may result in disciplinary action, including written warnings, withdrawal of access privileges and possible, suspension or expulsion. The School reserves the right to report any illegal activities to An Garda Siochána and any other relevant authorities. Violations of this policy are deemed violations of the School Code of Behaviour. The Board of Management of St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School urges any person who receives intimidating, threatening or harassing message(s) to report it immediately to a member of staff.
School Management reserves the right to investigate and deal with any incidents and activities that happen outside school time and which impact on the welfare or education of students of St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School. This often, but not always, applies to the misuse of social media/networking sites that may lead to online or cyber bullying. Students must be conscious about possible repercussions of posting messages online. The circulation, publication and/or distribution on the internet of material associates with the school, including school activities, but not limited to, where such circulation humiliates, undermines and/or causes damage to the School or any person, is considered a serious breach of the School Code of Behaviour warranting action being taken up to, and including, suspension or expulsion.
Legislation:
St. David's, Holy Faith Secondary School's ICT/AUP Policy has been written based on the following Irish Legislation:
- Children First (2013)
- Data Protection (Amendment) Act (2003) & (1988)
- Child trafficking and Pornography Act (1998)
- Interception Act (1993)
- Video Recording Act (1989)
- Data Protection Act (1988).
Today’s society is technologically sophisticated whereby tablets, mobile phones, laptops, computers, Internet and social media, dominates and permeates all facets of our existence. Schools are a microcosm of modern society, and we here in St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School, reflect this reality in the use of ICT in the learning and teaching. As a result, it is incumbent on us as a school community to ensure that technology is used in an ethical, legal and correct manner ensuring that disruptions and distractions to the learning and teaching are not interfered with. Therefore this policy will address the rights, privileges, responsibilities and actions associated with the internet and software and hardware equipment and, will address the safe, acceptable and responsible use of many aspects of Internet and technological usage. The ICT/AUP policy of St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School aims to adhere to the principles of Digital Citizenship which consist of the following:
- Respect Yourself
- Protect Yourself
- Respect Others
- Protect Others
- Respect Copyright
- Respect Technology
- Acceptance (of said policy)
This policy will be reviewed on an ongoing basis as part of best practice.
The Aim of this policy is to:
To ensure mobile phones are used appropriately, and are not interrupting the learning and teaching as well as being compliant with St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School’s Code of Behaviour.
To ensure that the I.T. facilities within the school, including staff iPads, assist in the learning and teaching, and are carried out in a safe and effective way, benefitting students and staff.
- To ensure that students and staff are aware of their responsibilities and rights, as well aware of what is acceptable and what is unacceptable behaviour.
- To ensure Staff of St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School can work within an environment that facilitates this, free from harassment and intimidation.
- To ensure St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School can adapt to changing needs and circumstances, legally and all others.
General:
- Use of personal memory sticks (USB), CD-ROMS, cloud storage or other digital storage media within school requires a teacher’s permission
- Uploading or downloading of non-approved software will not be permitted
- Filtering software and/or similar and/or equivalent system(s) will be used in order to minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate material
- Internet sessions will always be conducted under the care of a teacher
- Virus protection software will be used and updated regularly
- Students will treat others with respect at all times and will undertake to not bring themselves, their school and others into disrepute through their use of ICT as outlined with St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School’s Anti Bullying Policy.
Therefore, users must be aware that they should not have any expectation of personal privacy in the use of these ICT resources. Personal information, however, is not publically accessible outside the school network. School management reserves the right to monitor and review the use of ICT resources and will do so as needed to ensure that systems are being used for educational purposes. It is important, therefore, that the whole school community (students, staff, parents/guardians, Trustees and the BOM) understands this and recognises that monitoring access:
- Increases safety and security of people and resources by supporting a positive learning and work environment, safety from harassment, intimidation and threats
- Promotes appropriate and safe internet access and electronic communication
- Discourages breaches of confidentiality, copy right infringements and inappropriate file downloads and print requests.
Use of Internet:
- Students will use the internet for educational purposes only
- Students will not intentionally visit Internet sites that contain illegal, obscene, hateful or otherwise, objectionable materials
- Students will report accidental accessing of inappropriate materials in accordance with school procedures
- Students will not copy information into assignments or projects or homework and fail to acknowledge the source (Copyright and Plagiarism infringement).
- Students will not download materials or images not relevant to their studies (as this is a direct breach of this ICT/AUP policy and is strictly forbidden).
- Students will not ever disclose or publicise personal information of their own or any other person
- Teachers and all staff members will not share their personal details with students, including personal mobile numbers, personal email addresses or social networking personal details. Instead exchanges of notes, assignments, resources, information etc. may only be done through teachers’ school email addresses and teachers’ cloud storage facilities. This is done to protect both student and teacher from any potential harassment, embarrassment, inappropriate allegation or Child Protection issue that could arise in the absence of such a monitored and transparent communication system, as per Teacher Council guidelines.
- Students will not access social networking sites while in school or during school hours unless explicitly instructed by a teacher to do so and under a teacher’s direct supervision and instruction. This access restriction applies to all social networking sites, and all future and new social networking sites that may arise at a later date.
School Website:
- The School website will be regularly checked to ensure that there is no content that compromises the safety of students and staff
- The publication of student work will be co-ordinated, approved and monitored by a teacher
- Students will continue to own the copyright on any work published
- The School will endeavor to use digital photographs, audio and video clips focusing on group activities
- Website using facilities such as comments and user- generated content is checked regularly to ensure no personal details are contained on website.
Email:
- Student will use approved class/school email accounts under the supervision and permission of a teacher
- Students will not share login names or passwords with each other nor use another person’s account
- Students will not send or knowingly receive any material that is illegal, obscene, defamatory or intended to annoy or intimidate another person
- Students will not reveal their own or another individual’s personal details such as addresses, phone numbers, photographs, etc.
- Students will not ever arrange to meet face-to-face with someone they only know through social networking sites or the internet or by email
- Students will not send nor receive email attachments unless they have the permission and supervision of a member of the teaching staff
- Internet chat rooms, discussion forums and other electronic communications will only be used for educational purposes and only accessed when a teacher gives permission and supervises
- Unrecognisable usernames will be used in such incidences in order to avoid disclosure of identity.
Mobile Phones:
- Students may carry their mobile phone on their person, but it must be switched off except during small break (10:50 am – 11:05 am) and lunchtime (1:00 pm – 1: 30 pm), as per Code of Behaviour and under the instruction of a teacher
- During whole school exams (Christmas, Mocks and Summer Exams) mobile phones must be switched off in the exam hall. Exam papers will be cancelled for a student(s) if a mobile phone goes off in the exam hall
- Mobile phones cannot be used in any way between classes, on the way to classes or before classes. Mobile phones may only be used before school commences (8:47 am each day), during said breaks and after school (post 3:30 pm)
- If a student needs to contact home urgently during the School day, they may proceed, with teacher’s permission to School Office and use School phone with Office approval. If a parent(s)/guardian(s) needs to contact his/her son/daughter urgently, they can do so by phoning the school and the office staff will relay message to the student promptly, where and when applicable
- If a student requires checking for a text message outside the permitted times, they may do so by reporting to the School Office and seeking permission from the School Principal or School Deputy Principal
- A student cannot use their phone to take a photograph of a member of staff or another student
- If a student breaches any of these rules, the phone and SIM card will be confiscated immediately and given to the Year Head who will enforce the School Code of Behaviour Policy.
At all times, the privacy of the student shall be respected. Where the data on a phone is accessed it shall only be to determine whether there was a misuse, not to monitor the private activities of the owner.
Exempt cases:
There are certain events throughout the course of the school year whereby activities and trips may see the use of a mobile phone in which photographs. If a student or students are unsure about the appropriateness, the guidance and/or advice from a member of staff should be sought, because if the Principal or Deputy Principal believe such an action to be inappropriate, sanctions as per Code of Behaviour shall apply.
iPads:
As of December 2014 staff (teaching and secretarial) of St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School have school iPads. These iPads are the property of St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School and, the staff is, requested to use these iPads for the learning and teaching in St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School, only and not for personal use.
Sanctions:
The misuse of the internet and school software and hardware equipment, may result in disciplinary action, including written warnings, withdrawal of access privileges and possible, suspension or expulsion. The School reserves the right to report any illegal activities to An Garda Siochána and any other relevant authorities. Violations of this policy are deemed violations of the School Code of Behaviour. The Board of Management of St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School urges any person who receives intimidating, threatening or harassing message(s) to report it immediately to a member of staff.
School Management reserves the right to investigate and deal with any incidents and activities that happen outside school time and which impact on the welfare or education of students of St. David’s Holy Faith Secondary School. This often, but not always, applies to the misuse of social media/networking sites that may lead to online or cyber bullying. Students must be conscious about possible repercussions of posting messages online. The circulation, publication and/or distribution on the internet of material associates with the school, including school activities, but not limited to, where such circulation humiliates, undermines and/or causes damage to the School or any person, is considered a serious breach of the School Code of Behaviour warranting action being taken up to, and including, suspension or expulsion.
Legislation:
St. David's, Holy Faith Secondary School's ICT/AUP Policy has been written based on the following Irish Legislation:
- Children First (2013)
- Data Protection (Amendment) Act (2003) & (1988)
- Child trafficking and Pornography Act (1998)
- Interception Act (1993)
- Video Recording Act (1989)
- Data Protection Act (1988).