Cyber Bullying
Inappropriate references to the College in students’
electronic communications
An issue causing great concern at Marist and in the wider community is the area of cyber bullying. Cyber bullying happens in a variety of forms and occurs when electronic means, like mobile phones and computers, through the internet, in chat rooms and the like, are used to harass others and spread negative messages about people. One internet based medium which is gaining increased usage is Youtube. Others similar in style are Beebo and My Space. These internet sites provide the opportunity for those interested to post their own web sites. Such sites can be used positively but more often than not they portray negative and anti-social attitudes and behaviours. We are concerned about the misuse of these sites and the damage they can cause to individuals, to our own school and to other schools.
In this newsletter I want to deal specifically with Inappropriate references to the College in students’ electronic communications. In recent times we have had to work with boys who have posted inappropriate items and clips on such websites. The clips in question have referred to Marist College in ways that could damage the reputation and name of the College. They also had the potential to damage relations with other schools. Often boys post clips and use the name Marist, or use our crest or our motto or House crests and mottos for good reasons: they are proud of the College and proud to belong to Marist. That type of school spirit is to be applauded and encouraged. However, the trouble begins and intensifies when anonymous others with negative intentions join the site and post their own items. Our experience is that what began as positive, degenerates into negativity where bad language is used, where individuals are abused, where the name Marist is attacked and where the name Marist is used to attack other schools. This is misplaced pride in school and is not the type of school spirit we want at Marist.
For these reasons I want to make it clear that because we place the highest priority on both protecting each individual at Marist and at the same time protecting the name of Marist College, no-one is permitted to use the name of the College or its crest, motto, House crests, House mottos or any similar items on personal websites without the permission of the Headmaster. Intentional misuse of these valued College icons is unacceptable and boys who do set out to intentionally smear the reputation of Marist College can expect to have their place at the College reviewed.
Parents and carers, I strongly encourage you to be mindful of this serious issue of cyber bullying. While the age of technology has many pluses there are challenges that we also have to address. Teachers and leaders in schools are experiencing a whole variety of welfare, discipline, behavioural and conduct related issues that did not exist until recently. We are aware of many of the issues and potential effects but we are still learning about this one. I encourage you to be aware of the challenges and deal with them if they arise in an honest and firm way.
A website which may provide you with some support and information on this issue is: www.netalert.net.au
