Privacy Policy

Introduction

Welcome to Connected Learning Academy Pty Ltd (ACN: 669 467 921) (‘we,’’ ‘us,’ or ‘our’).

We're committed to providing exceptional educational experiences while protecting your privacy and maintaining the trust you place in us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information, both through our website and our educational programmes. We believe in transparency and want you to feel confident about how your information is handled when you engage with our services.

Who We Are

Connected Learning is an Australian education provider specialising in after-school programmes and school incursions. We are bound by the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Our commitment to privacy extends beyond legal compliance – we strive to set the highest standards in protecting the information of the families we serve.

Information We Collect

Website Information
When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain technical information about your visit. This includes your IP address, browser type, operating system, and the pages you visit on our site. We also gather information you voluntarily provide through contact forms, including your name, email address, and any messages you send us. If you subscribe to our newsletter, we maintain a record of your subscription preferences and email interaction history.

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience. These tools help us understand how you interact with our site, remember your preferences, and provide you with more relevant content.

Programme Registration Information
When you register your child for our programmes, we collect comprehensive information to ensure both safety and programme effectiveness. This includes your child's full name, date of birth, school details, and year level. We also require parent or guardian contact information, including home address, email, and both primary and emergency phone numbers.

For the safety and wellbeing of your child, we may also collect relevant medical information including allergies, medications, and any special needs or considerations that our staff should be aware of. This may include dietary requirements, behavioural considerations, or learning accommodations.

We also collect emergency contact details. Payment information is collected and processed securely through our payment provider.

How We Use Your Information

Website Usage

We may use website data to understand how visitors interact with our content and to improve the user experience. This includes analysing which pages are most popular, identifying any technical issues, and optimising our site navigation. When you contact us through the website, we use your information to respond to your enquiries and provide requested information about our programmes.

Programme Operations

The information we collect during programme registration is essential for delivering safe, effective educational experiences. We use this information to create class rosters, communicate with parents about programme activities, and ensure we can respond appropriately to any medical or behavioural situations that may arise.

Your contact information enables us to send important updates about programme schedules, changes, or special events. We may also use it to share your child's progress or to coordinate pickup and drop-off arrangements. Medical and dietary information is shared with relevant staff members to ensure proper care and accommodation of your child's needs.

Information Storage and Security

We maintain strict security protocols to protect your personal information. Our digital records are stored in secure, encrypted databases accessible only to authorised personnel through multi-factor authentication. Our staff undergo regular privacy and security training to ensure they understand their responsibilities in protecting your information.

Sharing Your Information

We carefully limit the sharing of personal information to situations that are essential for programme operations or required by law. Within our organisation, information is shared on a need-to-know basis among staff members directly involved in your child's programme. When working with partner schools, we share only the necessary information required for programme coordination and student safety.

Our service providers, including payment processors and email service providers, are bound by strict confidentiality agreements and must adhere to our privacy standards. We regularly review their security practices to ensure compliance. Government authorities may receive information when required by law, such as in response to a court order or regulatory requirement.

Children's Privacy

The privacy of children in our programmes is our highest priority. We collect children's personal information only with explicit parental or guardian consent, and we regularly review our collection practices to ensure we gather only what is necessary for programme operation and safety.

Access to children's information within our organisation is strictly controlled and monitored. Staff members receive specialised training on handling children's data, and we maintain detailed access logs. We never use children's personal information for marketing purposes without specific parental consent.

Data Retention and Deletion

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law. For program participants, we typically maintain records for seven years after programme completion to comply with legal requirements and handle any post-programme queries.

Website interaction data is retained for 12 months, after which it is automatically anonymised. When information is no longer needed, we ensure it is securely destroyed or permanently de-identified according to industry best practices.

Photography and Media

We take photographs and videos during our programs to document activities, share experiences, and promote our services. Unless you specifically opt out, you authorise us to capture and use photographs and videos of your child for:

Marketing materials and promotional content
Educational and program documentation
School and parent communications, including newsletters
Website content
External marketing and promotional purposes

We maintain strict protocols around media usage:

We never use photographs or videos for biometric matching or identification purposes
Children's names or identifying details are never published with their images
All media content is carefully reviewed to ensure appropriate representation and context
We promptly respect and implement any opt-out requests

If you do not wish us to photograph or record your child, please notify us in writing. You can modify your media consent preferences at any time by contacting us at hello@connectedlearning.au.

Changes to This Policy

We review this privacy policy regularly to ensure it remains current with our practices and legal requirements. When we make significant changes, we will notify you directly via email at least 30 days before the changes take effect. Minor updates may be made without direct notification but will be reflected in the "Last Updated" date at the bottom of this policy.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information. Your continued use of our services after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

We welcome your questions and feedback about our privacy practices. You can always reach out to us at hello@connectedlearning.au.

Making a Complaint

If you have concerns about how we handle your personal information, we encourage you to contact our Privacy Officer first so we can address your concerns promptly. We will investigate all complaints and respond within 30 days.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):

Website: www.oaic.gov.au
Phone: 1300 363 992
Email: enquiries@oaic.gov.au

Last Updated: 6 January 2025