Although we have yet to be contacted by the police, it would seem that a considerable number of girls have been receiving unpleasant photographs of a sexual nature via Facebook. This character is then trying to engage with people silly enough to accept his request to be a 'friend'. We have been lucky with things like this so far, but it seems that luck has run out and the times have caught up with us. We understand the images originate in America but such people can cover their tracks thoroughly, so we cannot be sure the children involved are safe if they continue to engage with him.

The only real way to ensure your daughter's safety is to manage the situation from her devices. We would advise that you check to see who she has as friends and what her activity has been recently. At the very least please have a conversation to see whether she may be at risk. We will be reminding all the students of the importance of cyber safety. If the police do contact us and issue any further advice we will let parents know.

Whenever a tragedy happens that was generated by social media the families involved almost always say they had no idea what was happening. We don't wish to alarm people by issuing a warning of this type too soon but we don't want to see anyone at risk of harm.