Digital Learning

Establishing school-wide behavioural expectations and approaches (Acceptable Use Agreements)

Schools must develop an Acceptable Use Agreement (AUA) outlining student behavioural expectations regarding the safe, intentional and responsible use of digital technologies.

AUAs outline behavioural expectations for students and give them an opportunity to agree to uphold these expectations. AUAs also include information for parents and carers about digital technology at their child’s school. Templates for primary and secondary school AUAs are available in the Resources tab.

Schools must consult with their school community in their development of AUAs, however they do not require school council approval. Schools may consider consulting with school council as part of their broader strategy to consult with the community (as required under Child Safe Standard 4).

Schools are no longer required to have a local Digital Learning in Schools policy. Instead, schools must develop AUAs and communicate these expectations with students (for example, through sending AUAs to students) and publish the AUA on the school website.

Template Acceptable Use Agreements are available on the Resources tab and include a section for parents and carers, and a section for students.

Some students may need a different approach to AUAs (for example, students in Prep to Year 2, students with additional learning needs, or students who face language barriers). Schools can change AUAs to suit these students while still teaching safe and responsible digital behaviour. For example, instead of reading and signing an agreement, students could draw or talk about how to use technology safely and responsibly.

AUAs are not legally binding agreements. However, they can:

• help to build student digital literacy skills
• highlight the importance of respecting others
• help protect personal information
• promote discussion and foster home-school partnerships
• assist in calling out inappropriate online behaviour (including cyberbullying).

Schools are encouraged to involve students in the process of developing and reviewing these agreements. Schools are encouraged to align AUAs with their school’s local Student wellbeing and engagement policy (staff login required) and securely retain any AUAs that have been signed by students.

Schools can determine if and how AUAs should be signed and returned to the school. Communication approaches could include:

• sharing with parents/carers and students for their information only (no request to sign and return)
• communicating with students during an in-class activity
• sending to parents/carers to acknowledge on behalf of their children and returned to school
• sending home for students to sign the agreement and for parents/carers to acknowledge their child’s agreement and return to school.

Schools can also select the most appropriate timeframe for sending AUAs out. For example:

• when students enrol (a once-off agreement)
• anytime a change is made to the AUA
• following the mandatory 2 year review
• every year
• every stage of learning (for example, year 3, year 5, year 7, year 9, year 11)
• every time student tech provision changes (for example, a school with a 1-1 device in year 9, may want a new AUA for the beginning of year 9.

Acceptable Use Agreements ensure schools meet the Minimum Standards, including the Child Safe Standards, and other requirements for school registration.

They do this by:

• outlining expectations for safe and responsible student use of digital technologies
• consulting with the school community
• communicating expectations to staff, students, parents and carers
• supporting safe physical and online environments.

Schools are encouraged to:

• conduct regular reviews of the digital devices and tools they use, including to what extent:
  • they support learning and wellbeing outcomes
  • they prioritise the privacy and safety of students and staff
  • new features or changes may create opportunities or challenges. Refer to the Software and Administration Systems policy
• ensure parents/carers are aware of expectations for appropriate behaviour regarding the use of digital devices and tools when interacting with school staff. This can be further elaborated in a school-based Respect for School Staff policy (staff login required)
• use language in AUAs that is easy to understand and is culturally appropriate. If required, schools can use funded Interpreting and Translation Services to have AUAs and other key school communications translated into multiple languages.

Responding to breaches of behavioural expectations

When a student acts in breach of the behaviour standards of the school community, the school can institute a staged response, consistent with their Student engagement and wellbeing policy. Breaches may include (but are not limited to):

• cyberbullying
• using digital technologies to harass, threaten or intimidate
• viewing, posting or sharing of inappropriate or unlawful content.

Consequences will depend on the severity of the breach and the context of the situation, with consideration given to the impact on a student's engagement and ability to achieve learning outcomes. If school-based privileges are removed, this must be for a specific time-limited period, which is clearly communicated to the student and their parents/carers where appropriate. Consequences may include:

• removal of network access privileges
• removal of email privileges
• removal of internet access privileges
• removal of printing privileges
• other consequences as outlined in the school’s Student wellbeing and engagement and Bullying prevention policies.

For more information, visit:

• Child Safe Standards
• Schools – child safety in physical and online environments guidance
• PROTECT.