As Term 2 closes and the children prepare for the three week break, I believe that the best article I can leave you with over the June/ July holidays is this little devotional entitled
“What are your Children Watching?”
As a College, we are often concerned to find out some of the programmes our students are accessing or watching at home – either via the internet or TV. The world is a very different place today from what it was when I was raising my children. We need to be diligent and use great wisdom in training our children how to be discerning with what they watch. Remember that fire is a great servant but a dangerous master if not monitored and used carefully. Internet and TV are somewhat like this. Used correctly these have great merit and can enhance learning but without boundaries – can be extremely dangerous.
What Are your Children Watching?
“I will set nothing wicked before my eyes….”
Psalm 101:3NKJV
Today our children have more access to the internet than ever before. Over half of all children between the ages of nine and 17 have internet cable or satellite television access in their bedrooms. The old image of the family gathered around a single TV set in the living room is almost non-existent. Instead, often children are off by themselves where they can choose anything they want to see. They don’t even have to be in their bedroom because now they can access it all on a hand-held device like a tablet or an iPhone! One prominent social researcher put it this way: ‘Almost everything children are seeing is essentially going into their minds in some sort of uncensored or unfiltered way.’ Under the ‘freedom of expression’ rule, the government and courts permit internet sites to peddle explicit sex, violence, nudity and profanity to your children and your grandchildren. Are you concerned? You should be! Why do sheep need a shepherd? For the same reason children need loving and observant parents- wolves! And your ignorance of technology is no defence! Because you weren’t exposed to these evils growing up doesn’t guarantee that your children won’t get hooked on them. Many parents don’t even take the time to know what their children are watching! Don’t be one of them. After his disastrous affair with Bathsheba and the heartache and havoc it brought to his family, David said, ‘…I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes…’
(Psalm 101:2-3 NKJV) Parents, what are your children watching?
Below are some helpful guidelines for parents regarding this issue.
- Insist that your children use the computer in the same room as you are where you can see the screen.
- There are a number of programmes you can install which safeguard children from accessing inappropriate sites.
- Keep open lines of communication with family members so children feel safe to discuss anything they may have accidentally accessed so others can guide them.
- Teach your children to be discerning and help them to know what to do if something comes up and they feel uncomfortable about it. They should close the laptop or turn off the computer straight away and let you know ASAP. Remember to commend them if they do this so they realise that you recognise that they are developing the maturity to self-monitor and to be discerning about what they are watching. This will help them long term and will help prepare them for life in the 21st Century.
Semester 1 Reports
You will be receiving Semester 1 reports very soon. Please take the time to discuss these with your children. The reporting process for our teachers is the culmination of a number of weeks of assessment and many long hours of collating results and writing comments.
Please be mindful as you read your child’s report that for many years now a “C” rating means that your child is actually working at the appropriate level for that grade. Therefore, B and A mean that the student is above and well above the standard for his/her age.
Have a wonderful break during the holidays and enjoy the beautiful weather. This is a lovely time of year to enjoy bushwalking and family picnics. We look forward to the beginning of Term 3 and Grandparents’ Day on Friday 24 July. Invitations have been emailed this week, so please make sure you pass these on to your children’s grandparents or phone them so you can RSVP by the due date.
Cheryl Bryers, Head of Primary