News from Combe Down School

Cyberbullying: Advice for Parents and Carers

Preventing Cyberbullying:

• Be aware of what cyberbullying is and how it can happen by reading more in "Cyberbullying: a whole-school community issue" at www.digizen.org/cyberbullying/overview
• With your children, explore the online technologies and websites they like to use.
• Encourage positive use of technology by helping your child to use it to support learning, socialise with peers and explore the wider world. Discuss and promote "netiquette" - responsible online behaviour. This means: respecting others online - treat them how they would like to be treated; only post or write things online that they would be happy for anyone to see; use appropriate language when chatting or playing games online; pay close attention to a website's terms and conditions and make sure they are old enough to be using a site or online service.
• Support your child in making responsible decisions on the internet and when using a mobile phone.
• Encourage your children to keep their passwords safe!

For further advice and support you can contact the following organisations:

Parentline Plus: 0808 800 2222 (24 hours, 7 days a week)

Kidscape: 08451 205 204 (a telephone helpline for parents and carers of bullied children)

A few words from Mr Bullard.....

It’s amazing how much better everyone feels with the sun around; we’ve missed it!

I was at the annual B&NES Heads’ Conference at the beginning of the week and had the pleasure of listening to a great speaker, Sir John Jones.

Sir John was Knighted for Services to Education in 2003 and he was stressing the importance of the process of learning as opposed to acquiring knowledge in order to prepare our children for the 21^st century. At our INSET Day on 30th April we shall be looking at where we are going in the next three years and how we can best provide for our children in our rapidly changing world. Next week you will receive the parent questionnaire that we do every other year so you can have your say in the process.

Year 6 made the trip to the Lifeskills Centre in Bristol this week and it was another excellent and very worthwhile visit. Our thanks go to the PTA for providing drinks and biscuits at Book at Bedtime yesterday to mark World Book Day - the children all had a wonderful time!

Walking Bus Departs!

Last Wednesday saw the first running of our walking bus. It left on time from Bradford Road Shops at 8.20am and stopped at the fish and chip shop at 8.30. Look at our School Travel Plan section of the All About School tab if you would like to print off a sign up form.

Clubs Fair

Our clubs fair was as busy as ever this year with such a great range of activities to choose from. Look out next week for a slip confirming you have a place. We hope to be able to give most of you your first choice, if not you'll be on the reserve list.