Kia ora, He rau ringa e oti ai Many hands make light work. It is hard to believe it is already Term 4! We hope you had a lovely, relaxing holiday and are feeling ready to make the most of the 2023 school year.
This pānui is all about the new resources the Greater Christchurch Schools' Network has to offer. We have published a template guide as part of the Cyber Safety Action Plan that can be used by schools and kura to support them to strengthen cybersecurity systems and processes. The GCSN is also excited to be launching The Podcasting Playbook, designed to complement the Top of the Pods podcasting competition.
Stay in the loop about these and exciting future opportunities on Twitter, Facebook or via the GCSN website.
Noho ora mai rā,
The GCSN Team
Cyber Safety Action Plan
These resources are designed to be used by schools to introduce and/or strengthen cybersecurity systems and processes. This complex, ever-evolving area of technology is required to keep ākonga and staff safe, not only from cyber threats and scams but also to mitigate instances of cyber-bullying and inappropriate online behaviour.
There are several areas for schools and kura to consider when implementing cyber-security plans and protocols. Due to the evolving nature of technology and the internet, these areas continue to develop and change. Ongoing review is important to ensure that the school or kura is prepared to manage ongoing threats to cyber security, and having a cyber security action plan ensures that the school has a living document which outlines potential threats that can be adjusted as necessary as new trends and threats arise.
The Cyber Safety Action Plan templates can be populated by schools and kura to form their own cyber safety action plan. It includes sample and contextual information, aligned with the report above, to support schools and kura to develop a useful, robust plan that reflects the context of the school/kura.
The Podcasting Playbook
Unleash your creativity with podcasting!
Learn how to create podcasts like a pro!
Podcasting is a medium where anything is possible and what we want to support ākonga to create something amazing! The Podcasting Playbook will provide students with everything they need to know to create their first podcast, master new skills, or explore a new podcasting style!
There are five modules that ākonga to work through, each with a corresponding podcast episode to show what is possible and support students who prefer auditory learning. The modules are:
Introduction & basics
Getting started
Content creation
Recording & editing
Interviewing skills
Podcatchers | A home for your show
Top of the Pods Competition
Submissions are now open for the Top of the Pods podcasting competition!
It's not too late to register a team if you know tamariki that are interested in podcasting, want to learn new podcasting skills, or have a podcast to share. Christchurch City Libraries, Plains FM and the GCSN can't wait to hear the podcasts you have created!
There are amazing prizes up for grabs, including a podcasting setup for the winning school and T-shirt making masterclass hosted by Christchurch City Libraries! Organise a team, sign up on the GCSN site, learn new podcasting skills at our Top of the Pods library open days, and create an awesome podcast to have a chance at winning one of these prizes.