Schools sign up to government funded cyberbullying initiative
16-November-2011
Education Minister Martin Dixon together with the Member for Hastings, Neale Burgess MP today announced many schools in the Hastings and Western Port region area are among the first in the state to sign up to the Victorian Coalition Government funded $10.5 million eSmart cyberbullying program.
eSmart is a cybersafety program created by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation and will be available to every government school across the state and 300 Catholic and independent schools over the next four years.
So far, 290 Victorian government schools and 108 Catholic and independent schools have registered to be part of the program.
“I’d like to congratulate our local schools, which have joined 400 schools across Victoria in becoming the first to register for eSmart” Mr Burgess said. “The local schools which have joined the program include: Elisabeth Murdoch College; Flinders Christian Community College; Pearcedale Primary School; St Brendan’s Primary School; St Joseph’s Primary School; St Jude's Parish Primary School; and Tooradin Primary School" Mr Burgess said.
“This shows just how serious these schools are about stamping out bullying and creating safe places where students can learn and support each other” Mr Dixon said.
The Victorian Government will provide schools in the Hastings and Western Port area with $2000 each to help them implement eSmart.
Mr Dixon said he was confident eSmart would provide students with practical tips about behaving safely and appropriately online.
“Students today spend a lot of time the cyber world, so it’s important they are provided with the tools they need to stay safe in that space,” Mr Dixon said.
eSmart teaches students about protecting themselves from risks including cyberbullying and sexting, and also about the importance of protecting their own privacy.
The Alannah and Madeline Foundation worked with the RMIT School of Education and other education experts over three years to develop the school resource.
eSmart will play a key role in delivering on the Victorian Government’s commitment to stamp out bullying, combat violence in schools and provide students and parents with the support they need.
The Victorian Government has also provided $4 million over four years to review and update bullying policies and programs for Victorian government schools.
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