You may have noticed a change in the way we have shared College life online in recent weeks.

We have begun reducing the number of clearly identifiable student photographs published on our public social media channels. This is a deliberate step as we consider how best to protect our students in a digital environment that continues to change.

Photographs are an important part of College life. They capture significant milestones, performances, sporting achievements and the everyday experiences that families value. We do not want to take these memories away from students or their families.

Instead, we are working towards a clearer distinction between photographs shared privately with College families and content made available through public platforms.

WHY WE ARE MAKING THIS CHANGE

Once a photograph is published publicly, the College can no longer fully control how it may be saved, copied, altered or shared.

Technology is also changing rapidly, including the ways publicly available photographs can be collected, identified and used. As these capabilities continue to develop, we believe it is important that our practices develop with them.

We recognise that not every family has the same concerns about photographs being shared online. However, we want to take a responsible and consistent approach that considers the privacy and protection of every student.

WHAT YOU MAY SEE ONLINE

Our public social media channels will increasingly use images that share the story of College life without relying on clearly identifiable close-up photographs of individual students.

This may include wider photographs, images taken from behind, classroom activities, student work, performances and other details that communicate what is happening while limiting unnecessary identification of students.

We will continue to recognise student achievements and share important moments from across the College. The way these stories are visually presented will simply become more considered.

This does not mean that identifiable photographs will never be published. There may still be occasions where photographs are shared with appropriate permission, particularly for major events, public achievements or planned College marketing.

Marketing photography is generally planned for a specific purpose, with selected students and appropriate consent. Even so, we are reviewing this area and gradually moving towards an approach that places greater emphasis on student privacy across all public communications.

PRESERVING MEMORIES FOR FAMILIES

We understand that parents and carers still want to see photographs of their own children and keep these memories.

The College is exploring new technology that may allow families to securely access photographs featuring their children through a protected online environment. This would enable us to continue capturing College life without needing to publish every photograph on an open social media platform.

We are currently considering the most suitable system and the protections that would need to be in place. More information will be provided to families as this work progresses.

PASSWORD-PROTECTED NEWSLETTER

As another step towards protecting student information and imagery, our College newsletter, The Way, is now password protected.

This will allow us to continue sharing more detailed College news, photographs and student stories while limiting access to members of the College community.

MOVING FORWARD

This is a new direction for the College and our approach will continue to develop as technology changes and new systems become available.

Our aim is to ensure that public social media continues to communicate the life and character of the College without unnecessarily placing students in the public domain.

At the same time, we remain committed to preserving the photographs and memories that are important to families through more secure and appropriate channels.

We believe this is a responsible step as we continue to place the safety and wellbeing of our students at the centre of our decisions.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Learn more about how Thomas Hassall Anglican College manages and protects personal information in our Privacy Policy.

Parents and carers can also access advice about sharing photographs and information about children online through the eSafety Commissioner.

For questions about the College’s approach to student photographs and public communications, please contact the College.