Online Safety Week

At Ruislip High School we not only recognise Safer Internet Day, which is celebrated globally in February each year, but also devote a whole week, from the 10th to 14th February, to acknowledge the importance of staying safe online. This year’s theme was ‘Too Good to be True’, which focused on raising awareness about online safety, particularly in relation to phishing and online scams, which are becoming more prevalent in today’s digital world.

Our student Digital Leaders supported the week by delivering assemblies to their peers; including sharing crucial tips on how to identify and avoid online scams. Their presentations were both informative and practical, helping students recognise the signs of suspicious activity and take proactive steps to protect themselves. It was also wonderful to see how confidently they spoke to students in other year groups - showing that they are excellent ambassadors for the school.

During the week, all year groups got to listen to a talk, delivered by the Breck Foundation. The organisation was founded in 2014 in response to the tragic loss of Breck Bednar, a 14-year-old boy who was groomed and murdered by someone he met online. The foundation’s work aims to safeguard young people from online dangers, providing guidance and resources to help them stay safe in digital spaces. Students found the talk incredibly powerful, with many of them saying that it had made them think carefully about their own online habits.

Overall, the week was a powerful reminder of the importance of online safety and the need for vigilance in the digital age. Thank you to Ms Poddar for leading the week and planning such interesting resources and opportunities for our students to engage in this year’s theme meaningfully.