From the Acting Principal

Supporting Safe and Responsible Online Learning

At MLC School, online safety is approached as both a wellbeing priority and a shared responsibility. As digital learning continues to evolve, we are committed to providing students with access to rich learning opportunities while also maintaining appropriate safeguards, guidance and support. Our approach reflects recognised best practice following the eSafety Commissioner’s Best Practice Framework which identifies five features of effective school-based online safety education: students’ rights and responsibilities in the digital age; resilience and risk; effective whole-school approaches; integrated and specific curriculum; and continuous improvement through review and evaluation. These principles provide a useful lens for understanding the work already underway at MLC School.

Our approach combines clear expectations for responsible technology use, ongoing education about digital citizenship, and technical protections that help us identify and respond to concerns. These expectations are outlined in the School’s Technology Code of Conduct (page 156-158 in the School Diary), which provides students with guidance about appropriate device, network and digital platform use, including respectful communication, privacy, academic integrity and the responsible use of school systems. This includes monitoring student activity on the school network so that emerging risks, such as attempts to access unsafe content or patterns of concerning online behaviour, can be addressed in a timely and supportive way.

To further strengthen this work, the School is in the process of transitioning our school-wide cyber monitoring system from CyberEdge to Saasyan Assure. Saasyan Assure provides more targeted, timely alerts and reporting when online activity indicates a potential safety or wellbeing concern, supporting our IT and Wellbeing Teams to work together to support student safety. This does not replace trusted relationships or pastoral care; rather, it provides another layer of visibility so that the right staff can respond and work with students and their families appropriately.

The recent publicised Canvas data breach is a timely reminder that online safety also includes careful management of the digital platforms used in schools. In response, MLC School has reviewed relevant cyber security advice, checked our own systems and settings, and continued to work with our technology partners to protect our community with commitment to strengthening our ongoing cyber-risk processes.

Firewalls and filtering systems remain an important part of our online safety framework. These tools help restrict access to inappropriate or harmful sites, reduce exposure to online risks, and support focused learning during the school day. They are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain responsive to emerging technologies and patterns of student use.

We also continue to monitor and manage the use of VPNs, which can be used to bypass school filters and access content that sits outside the School’s safety settings. Families are reminded that VPN use on the school network is not permitted. Any student found using a VPN at MLC School will be locked out of school systems and reported to the relevant Head of School for further discussion with them and their parents. This expectation helps ensure that all students are working within the same protected digital environment.

Our online safety approach also extends to digital skills sessions and cyber safety presentations. Students explore topics such as AI in learning, Microsoft 365 tools, organisation and study skills, digital reputation, deepfakes, online relationships, social media influences, digital footprints and maintaining healthy technology habits. Our digital learning program recognises that young people are navigating rapidly evolving digital environments and aims to equip them with the practical skills, confidence and judgement needed to learn effectively, engage responsibly online, and importantly make informed decisions that support both their academic success and personal wellbeing. 

While technology plays an important protective role, online safety is most effective when schools and families work in partnership. This reflects the eSafety Framework’s emphasis on whole-school approaches, strong policies, well-trained staff, parent and carer partnerships, help-seeking, and ongoing review. We encourage parents and carers to continue conversations at home about safe, respectful and responsible online behaviour, including the importance of not using tools that bypass school protections. In partnership, we can support students to make wise choices, seek help when needed, and use technology in ways that enhance their learning and wellbeing.

The eSafety Commissioner has a range of resources for parents to keep their children safe online which can be accessed here.

– Melissa Boyd
Acting Principal

Photo Credit: Unsplash