Online Safety: Discord, Omegle & Digital Footprint
Online Safety: Discord, Omegle & Digital Footprint
Dear Parent/Carer,
I am writing with reference to online safety, in particular:
1. Discord – a real time communication app
2. Students understanding the concept of digital footprints
3. Omegle – an online chat platform
On Friday evening, we were made aware of a concern linked to both the use of Discord to share information and a lack of awareness of what is often referred to as digital footprints.
The issue arose outside of school but I can reassure you that appropriate action has been taken and communication was made to parents/carers of the students involved.
We have also become aware of a number of students mentioning use of Omegle.
It is important to share that both Discord and Omegle are blocked by the school systems.
Having been involved in dealing of the issue on Friday, I felt it would be useful to provide the following information and links which assist you in supporting your own child in keeping safe online should they use Discord.
As a parent myself, I am all too aware it how tricky it can be to keep up with the plethora of social media and messaging apps and their various safety or privacy settings and I hope the following information and links will be of use.
Digital Footprint
Unlike a footprint in the sand on a beach that disappears when the tide comes in, a digital footprint (the trail of data left online) is a significantly more, if not completely permanent thing.
What we do, say or post online leaves a trail and can mean that we lose control of that data. For example, if we post a photo or video on Instagram, although we may choose to remove it others may have copied it, downloaded it or screenshotted it meaning we no longer have control over that media. This means we have to think carefully about what we post or send online before we do so.
CEOPS have the following advice for parents/carers on digital footprints:
https://www.ceopeducation.co.uk/parents/articles/what-is-a-digital-footprint/
Discord
Discord is a real time communication app designed for online chat, messaging, video & audio calls via forums referred to as servers. Originally aimed at the gaming community, it is becoming more popular with young people outside of the gaming community.
The following is a useful link from the UK Safer Internet Centre providing guidance for parents/carers on Discord and its security settings.
https://saferinternet.org.uk/blog/discord-security-settings-a-guide-for-parents-and-carers
Omegle
Omegle is a free online chat platform designed specifically to allow users to talk to strangers from around the world anonymously.
https://saferinternet.org.uk/blog/what-is-omegle-key-things-parents-and-carers-need-to-know
Social Media Guides
It is perhaps timely to also share this link which provides parent/carer advice/guidance on a range of the common social media platforms.
https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/social-media-guides
Free Online Safety Courses for Parents/Carers.
As a school, we have recently added National Online Safety to our school’s National College membership. We use this platform for online training for all of our school staff.
One benefit of adding the National Online Safety component is that we can now offer free online safety courses to parents who may wish to access them.
If you are interested in making use of this training, use one of the following links to access the course appropriate for your child’s age.
Age 7-11: https://nationalcollege.com/courses/os-for-parents-carers-of-children-aged-7-11
Age 11-14: https://nationalcollege.com/courses/os-for-parents-carers-of-children-aged-11-14
Age 14-18: https://nationalcollege.com/courses/os-for-parents-carers-of-children-aged-14-18
You will need to register an account by first providing an email address and then filling in a short online form to provide:
- Your first name
- Your surname
- Select ‘Parent/Carer’ from the drop down forgot role
- Enter the Schools name (New Forest School) and select it from the list that appears – it may take a moment to appear.
- & 6. Enter and re-enter your desired password.
You can then access the training video’s (presented by Myleene Klass).
There are 6 short modules totalling approx 41 minutes of training.
I hope this information and the free online training is useful for you.
As always, if you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact the school and we can either provide support if appropriate or signpost you to the relevant agencies or sources of information required.
Kind regards,
Winchester Science Museum
Winchester Science Museum Trip
Our Year 7 Totton pupils were lucky enough to have a trip to the Winchester Science Museum during the Autumn Term. Our pupils looked at all the exciting scientific exhibitions, alongside having an amazing planetarium show and hands on science demonstration.
Children in Need 2024
Children in Need 2024
DofE Expeditions 2024
DofE Expeditions 2024
Over the past few weeks a large number of our Year 9 to Year 11 have been undertaking their final expeditions for both the Bronze and Silver DofE award.
Students have been planning routes around different areas of the wonderful New Forest before shouldering their rucksacks and navigating their way through the forest and heathland over 2 or 3 day trips.
Parent/Carer DDP Training
Parent/Carer DDP Training
Dear Parent/Carer,
At New Forest School we have adopted and been training our school staff in the use of Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP) as a way of supporting our students.
This is an ongoing process designed to eventually ensure all school staff have been trained to at least Level 1 standard with a number of key staff trained to Level 2 or above.
We are pleased to also be able to offer parents/carers the opportunity to join a 3 session training course designed to introduce DDP and equip you with the basic knowledge and principles of DDP.
The training will be delivered by members of our therapy team and DDP Core Group.
I have attached a flyer which outlines the basics of DDP and itinerary for the 3 training sessions.
More information about DDP can be found on the DDP Network website: www.ddpnetwork.org/about-ddp/dyadic-developmental-practice/
The training will take place on:
Tuesday 30th November 3:30pm – 5:00om
Tuesday 7th December 3:30pm – 5:00om
Tuesday 14th December 3:30pm – 5:00om
If you feel this would be of interest and like to attend the training, I would be grateful if you would complete the brief survey using the link below:
https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90508148/Parent-Carer-DDP-training
OFSTED Inspection Report
OFSTED Inspection Report
Dear Parents/Carers,
I am delighted to inform you that I have received our latest OFSTED report and share the fact that New Forest School has been judged as outstanding in all areas.
A copy of the report has been uploaded to the school website can can be viewed here:
The report will also be available on the OFSTED website in the next few days.
I am very proud of the judgement for our school which reflects the hard work and dedication from our students, staff, parents/carers and the wider school community.
Throughout the inspection a large number of our students were spoken to by the inspectors regarding a range of topics and the students positive feedback was humbling to hear as they are the focus of all that we do as a school.
I am also incredibly proud of the staff team who work so hard day in, day out to support our students. This report certainly reflects their dedication to our students and the school as a whole.
I would like to thank all those parents/carers who sent messages of encouragement, completed the OFSTED survey and/or spoke directly to the inspectors.
However, as I have shared with the staff team, whilst this report is a fantastic validation of what we continually strive to achieve as a school, it does not mean we can or should take our ‘foot off the pedal’. As a school we constantly reflect on how we can grow and provide better support and more opportunities for the students. As such, every new day represents another opportunity to do more, another opportunity to develop and improve and another opportunity to help our students take the next step in their individual journeys.
Kind regards,
Duncan
Duncan Smith
Headteacher