Snapchat: A Guide for Parents and Carers

What is Snapchat?

Snapchat is an app that lets you send texts, pictures, and videos that you program to disappear after a few seconds. Snapchat also offers fun, easy-to-use instant-editing tools that let you add cool effects to your "Snaps," such as captions, drawings, and emojis. There’s also a feature called Snapchat Story that lets you share snaps in a sequence for up to 24 hours.

Should I let my child use Snapchat?

The fact that the messages don't last makes texting feel like a game, and it offers a sense of freedom: children can share the silly, fleeting moments of the day that don't rise to the level of other social media posts that documents their lives. On the other hand, they may be tempted to share riskier images, thinking the pics will go away.

Parents and carers should be aware that it's not actually true that Snaps disappear forever. You can purchase additional "Replays" -- though you're limited to one Replay per Snap. It's also possible that the receiver could take a screenshot using his or her phone or another app to capture Snaps. So children really need to use good judgment about what they send.

Snapchat’s own terms of service state that users must be at least 13 years old to use the app. At Earlsmead we believe Snapchat, and other messaging apps, are better for older, more mature children who can regulate their own usage and know how to share responsibly and respectfully. Still, you may not be able to stop your child from downloading the app (or using it on their friend's' phones), so it's best to discuss how to use Snapchat responsibly.

Using Snapchat responsibly

Snapchat, like other social networking apps, is designed to share moments with “real life” friends but there is still the danger that children may connect with people they don’t know. Encourage your child to only share content with their “real friends” and share things they would be happy to share with you.

Snap maps enable a user, if you and a friend follow one another, to share their locations with each other so you can see where they are and what’s going on around them. As this new feature shows your precise location pinpoint on a map – we would encourage users not to share their location, especially with people they don’t know in person.

Use this opportunity to discuss limits with Snapchat and other apps: During what hours are they allowed to text? How much screen time are they allowed? If you want to monitor your child's mobile phone without seeming intrusive, be honest about what you're doing and why.

Want to set up parental controls? Take a look at a guide here internetmatters.org/parental-controls/interactive-guide/

Feedback from e-safety coffee morning

Thank you so much to all the parents and carers that came to the e-safety coffee morning, it was a great turnout. There were many interesting conversations about what we can do at school and at home to help foster a more supportive digital environment for children and young people to grow up in.

Here are the key points from the morning:

  • A draft mobile phone policy was discussed. It was agreed that it would be a good idea to stop allowing students to bring mobile phones to school unless they had written permission and were allowed to walk to and from school on their own.
  • Parents and carers thought it made sense to keep all mobile phones in the office and then hand them to the children just before they left the site. This would reduce the chances of incidents in the playground.
  • It was suggested that the policy should include guidelines as to what safe and correct mobile phone usage looked like. Parents and carers wanted to also acknowledge the many benefits mobile phones and the internet can bring to safety and education.
  • Parents and carers were keen to work alongside the school in educating the students about online safety. They would like to be invited to future e-safety assemblies and have more information on what e-safety lessons were being taught at school so they could reinforce the messages at home.
  • A key talking point was how important it is to be informed about what children are doing online. This can be done by parents and carers concentrating efforts on keeping the lines of communication open, so children will come to them if a problem arises. Make sure children know it's OK to make mistakes and that they don't need to hide these.

If you want any more information please take a look at our Internet Safety page and if you would like specific help with a problem please don't hesitate to contact the office and ask to speak to Mr Orr.

GDPR Information for Parents/Carers

General Data Protection Regulation – Parent/Carer information

We need to hold personal information about your child on our computer system and in paper records to help us with their educational needs. Your Headteacher is responsible for their accuracy and safe-keeping.  Please help to keep your child’s records up to date by informing us of any change of circumstances.

School staff have access to your child’s records to enable them to do their jobs. From time to time information may be shared with others involved in your child’s care, if it is necessary.  Anyone with access to your child’s records is properly trained in confidentiality issues and is governed by a legal duty to keep their details secure, accurate and up to date.

All information about your child is held securely and appropriate safeguards are in place to prevent accidental loss.

In some circumstances we may be required by law to release your child’s details to statutory or other official bodies, for example if a court order is presented, or in the case of public educational issues. In other circumstances you may be required to give written consent before information is released – such as the educational reports for insurance, solicitors etc.

To ensure your child’s privacy, we will not disclose information over the telephone or fax unless we are sure that we are talking to you - the parent/carer. Information will not be disclosed to family and friends unless we have prior written consent and we do not leave messages with others.

You have a right to see your child’s records if you wish. Please ask at the school’s office if you would like further details. An appointment will be required. There is usually no fee payable.

Netball Club for year 3 and 4

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AP Saints Netball Club are excited to announce that we have expanded our junior training programme to include year 3 and 4 sessions. 

Training will be held on Sundays during term time from 10-11am at Woodside High School, White Hart Lane, Wood Green, N22 5QJ, where our experienced coaching team will guide the girls on their way to upholding our record as the premier junior netball club in North London. 
 
The inaugural session on Sunday 14th January is a fun free taster day!

If you would like to join our club or would like some more information please contact our secretary at apsaints.secretary@gmail.com

PLEASE NOTE WE ONLY HAVE 15 YEAR 3 AND 15 YEAR 4 SPACES AVAILABLE WHICH WILL BE OFFERED ON A FIRST COME BASES. 

Many Thanks,

AP Saints Coaching Team

Storytelling with Santa Claus at Walthamstow Wetlands

Come and meet Santa Claus at Walthamstow Wetlands!

Activities will include storytelling with Santa Claus in the Victorian and locally-listed Turbine Room as well as a festive-themed nature trail through the site where children can explore nature, discover minibeasts, birdwatch and track mammals both large and small. Each ticket will include a gift from Santa and there will also be a photo opportunity.

1 hour sessions taking place on 9th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd and 24th December
Cost: £10 per child to include one gift per child. 
Tickets can be purchased via www.walthamstowwetlands.com/festive-season or purchased directly at the Engine House.

We're joining in with the Hour of Code

This week, 4th - 8th December, students and teachers at Earlsmead will join tens of millions of people all around the world taking part in an Hour of Code. The Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics.

You can take part in the event at home by using the fantastic choice of tutorials available at code.org.