Member for Gorton Brendan O’Connor today congratulated two local schools that have been selected to participate in the new cyber-safety and student wellbeing pilot program.

Mackellar Primary School in Delahey and Overnewton Anglican Community College in Taylors Lakes were selected to be a part of the $3 million initiative, developed by child safety charity the Alannah and Madeline Foundation and funded by the Federal Government.

Mr O’Connor said the project will help these school communities become smart, safe and responsible users of technology.

“The emergence of cyber-bullying is a frightening trend for local students, parents and school communities and all the research tells us it is on the rise,” Mr O’Connor said.

Research released this year by the Government shows cyber-bullying is increasing and under-reported. It is experienced by about 10 per cent of Australian students in years 4-9.

“This Government takes the issue of bullying very seriously, and believes student wellbeing and safety are essential for academic and social development,” Mr O’Connor said.

Mackellar Primary School and Overnewton Anglican Community College are among 164 primary and secondary, government and non-government schools in urban, rural and remote Australia participating in the pilot, which will run until 30 April 2010.

Schools will be provided with web resources designed to help them create an approach to cyber-safety that meets their specific needs. The project will also help clarify the role that schools play in ensuring responsible and safe use of technology.

“Teachers and parents know there are risks involved for children regarding cyberspace and there are many cyber-safety programs and resources available, but schools don’t know which ones will benefit their particular community or which ones are effective,” Mr O’Connor said.

“This initiative will provide schools with the tools they need to create a cyber-safety approach that meets their individual school’s needs, while educating everyone involved about the responsible use of technology.”

The outcomes of the pilot will be independently evaluated and considered in the Government’s review of the National Safe Schools Framework (NSSF), which is scheduled for completion in June 2010.

A full list of schools involved in the pilot and information about the current NSSF and its review is available at www.safeschools.deewr.gov.au