The Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) Social Media Policy was released in April this year. This policy was presented and discussed during the Term 2 Parents & Friends Meeting. As part of this policy the Diocese has released a Social Media Statement, which I have included below. Could you please take the time to read this statement. A link to the CEO Social Media Policy can be found on the School Website in the Policies and Procedures section.

For your information, the CEDoW Social Media Policy states that: 

• permission must be sought from the Principal to establish a social media presence that is in any way associated with the School;
• any content posted on social media of other students must be done with the express consent of their parents or carers;
• any inappropriate use or content on social media that may negatively impact the school or CEO, will be brought to the attention of the Principal.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION DIOCESE OF WOLLONGONG

SOCIAL MEDIA STATEMENT

Context - Social media is used in Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) to help create vibrant Catholic school communities of faith and learning. In this context, social media is any form of online presence used in valid educational contexts that facilitates inclusive relationships, contemporary communities and multi-directional interactive exchange of information, conversation or activity. Users of social media are required to manage their digital footprint by interacting responsibly and ethically, in line with our Catholic ethos, respecting the dignity of all involved.

CEDoW maintains a social media presence on various platforms, including but not limited to: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Users of social media should consider their rights and responsibilities for promoting the respect and dignity of all participants.

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) Social Media Standards - CEDoW encourages the use of social media for open and productive dialogue.  When using social media it is expected that individuals will: 

• respect the dignity of self and others in the context of their role;
• not promote perspectives contrary to the Catholic faith;
• not bring the school into disrepute;
• not publicly criticise CEDoW, schools, staff or students;
• align with the parameters of the intended purpose of the social media presence. In order to create a positive experience and the maintenance of respectful relationships it is expected that no material posted:
• includes any content that a reasonable person considers in any way is defamatory, discriminatory, rude, aggressive, abusive, harassing, intimidating, threatening, insulting, hurtful, hateful, offensive, obscene or indecent;
• constitutes trolling;
• is unlawful or where the user does not have the necessary rights, licenses and/or consents to post, including infringement of copyright or any other intellectual property rights;
• breaches or invades anyone’s privacy;
• impersonates or misrepresents any person, organisation or entity;
• consists of any proprietary, confidential, sensitive or private information;
• constitutes spam, unauthorised advertising or soliciting, or links that contain any kind of virus, spyware or malware;
• appears to contain irrelevant or excessive links or coded information;
• is off-topic, redundant or excessively long;
• encourages conduct that may, or would, constitute a criminal offence or give rise to civil liability, or that otherwise violates any local, state, national or international law or regulation.

Social Media and Privacy - The Schools Privacy Compliance Manual NSW is used to guide CEDoW’s compliance with privacy laws.

Moderation of Social Media - CEDoW reserves the right to moderate all content and review or remove any post or comment it deems inappropriate, and to block users who violate these Standards.

Disclaimer - The contents of official CEDoW social media sites are intended for educational purposes. CEDoW does not accept any liability for loss or damage suffered by any person or body due to content provided on these sites or linked sites.

The content on official CEDoW social media sites is provided as a service to users, but is provided on the basis that persons accessing the sites undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. Links or references do not constitute official endorsements, advertisements or recommendations, and CEDoW is not responsible for the content of external sites. CEDoW does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of the content posted by others.  

Staff Changes - I would like to inform our School Community that Elizabeth McGinnity will be retiring from her teaching position mid next year.  Liz will be taking Long Service Leave until this time. I thank Liz for her commitment to Catholic Education spanning more than 40 years. Also, Moira Bryan will be retiring at the end of this year. Moira has devoted over 30 years of service to Catholic Education in Australia. Peter McFadden will also retire at the end of this year. Peter has worked at Mary Immaculate for 20 years.  I take this opportunity to thank Liz, Moira and Peter for their commitment, work and support of Catholic Education and wish them all the best for the years ahead.

I congratulate Mrs Tamara Neilsen who has been successful in gaining an Acting Middle Leader 2 position for the 2020 school year.

We welcome new staff who will be joining our School and Community and look forward to working with Darren Orazi and Karen Voda in 2020.  Further staffing appointments will be made over the coming weeks.

We are certainly blessed at Mary Immaculate to have passionate educators who are involved in contributing to the ongoing education of our students.

Mini Vinnes - We received a letter of thanks from the Oblate Office of Mission for the donation of $315.00 that was raised at the Spring Fair by the Mini Vinnies Team. I thank Mrs Biviano and the Mini Vinnies team for co-ordinating this donation.

MATHEMATICS

CERTIFICATE OF CREDIT – Angelina B, George D, Adrian C, Darby S

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT – Sta O

SPELLING

CERTIFICATE OF DISTINCTION – Jilliane C, George D, Sta O, Sophie C

CERTIFICATE OF CREDIT – Ysabella S, Angelina B, Darby S

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT – Mitchell W

ENGLISH

CERTIFICATE OF DISTINCTION – Angelina B

CERTIFICATE OF CREDIT – Darby S, Sophia C

Parent Survey - Each year in order to gather data for our school’s Annual School Report we seek parent, staff and student input. This year all parents have the opportunity, via an anonymous online survey, to provide input into areas affecting the education of their children and the general functioning of the school. All feedback is greatly valued and will assist in contributing not only to the preparation of the Annual School Report but also to future directions and in planning for school improvement. Accessing the URL listed below can access the survey.

https://forms.gle/rhz8G4k7214xqcYv7

If you would prefer to complete this survey as a hard copy these will be available through the Office.  I ask that surveys be completed by Friday 29 November.

Have a great week and let Christ be our way and life.

Mrs Lillian Del Giudice

Acting Principal