Internet: Acceptable Use Policy

As part of the school’s education programme, we offer students supervised access to the Internet. This will afford students vast educational opportunites by helping them, for example, to locate material that meets their educational needs, communicate with subject experts and participate in school projects with students in similar circumstances or from different cultures. In addition to educational aspects of the Internet, students will learn valuable skills for participation in the information age, which may be useful in their chosen career.

The Internet is a global computer network which is not controlled by any organization. This means that information may change or disappear and be controversial and harmful. Although the school actively seeks to promote safe use of the Internet, it recognizes the possibility that students may accidentally or deliberately access objectionable material.

Usage of the Internet, therefore, requires responsibility on the part of the user and the school. Students, while on school premises, cannot access the Internet without express permission from a teacher. The culture and ethos of the school is to promote understanding and learning among students and not to demean other students. No technology should be used to demean another human being. These responsibilities are outlined in this School Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), which is available for inspection in the school.

We appreciate that parents and guardians are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using the media and information sources. To that end, the school supports and respects each family’s right to decide whether or not to allow access to the Internet, as defined by the school’s AUP.

We regret that, because it is not possible to be certain of the origin of an e-mail message, the school is unable to accept an  e-mail as parental authorization of a pupil absence.

The aim of this AUP is to ensure that pupils will benefit from learning opportunities offered by the school’s Internet resources, in a safe and effective manner.

Internet use and access is considered a school resource and privilege. Therefore, if the school AUP is not adhered to, this privilege will be withdrawn and appropriate sanctions, as decided by the school or other relevant authorities, will be imposed. It is envisaged that school and parent representatives will revise the AUP regularly.

Before signing, the AUP should be read carefully to ensure that the conditions of use are accepted and understood. This version of the AUP was created on 25 November, 2004, by the staff, management, parents and students of Coláiste Éanna. It was ratified as official school policy by the Board of Management on 24 January, 2005.

Responsible Internet Use.

Rules for Pupils:

Coláiste Éanna has installed computers with Internet access to help our learning. These will help keep us safe and help us to be fair to others.

 

Using the Computers:

  • Students may only access the computer system with the login and passwords they have been given.
  • Students may not access other people’s files.
  • Students may not bring in recording, storage or transmission devices from outside school and may not attempt to use them on the school computers without permission.

 

Using the Internet:

  • Students must ask permission from a teacher before using the Internet and must not download software, which infringes copyright.
  • Students must report any unpleasant material to their teacher immediately as this will help to protect the students themselves and other students.
  • Students understand that the school may check their computer files and may monitor the Internet Sites that they visit.
  • Students may not complete and send forms without permission from their teacher.
  • Students may not give their full name, home address or telephone number when completing forms.
  • Irresponsible use of mobile/recording phones can lead to serious violations of people’s rights and reputations, especially because of the ease with which images can be transmitted to and from similar devices and via the Internet.
  • Bullying and harassment in any form, including sexual harassment, involving recording devices will be subject to appropriate sanctions, as decided by the school and/or other relevant authorities.
  • Any student found using a recording device or accessing the Internet on a mobile phone may be considered, depending on the circumstances, to have committed a serious infringement, meriting sanction up to and including Suspension. The Principal, in consultation with the relevant staff members, will determine the sanction.

 

Using e-Mail:

  • Students must ask permission from a teacher before checking e-mail
  • Students must immediately report any unpleasant messages sent to them and are not allowed to use chat rooms. This will help protect both themselves and other students.
  • Students understand that e-mail messages they receive or send may be read by others.
  • Messages that are sent must be polite and responsible.
  • Students must only e-mail people that they know and that their teacher has approved.
  • Students must only send an external e-mail after it has been checked by a teacher.
  • Students must not give a full name, a home address or telephone number.