Dear Parents,

In July 2021, the Victorian Government announced new Child Safe Standards to further strengthen child safe environments and protect children from abuse. 11 new Child Safe Standards and Ministerial Order No. 1359 came into effect for schools and school boarding premises on Friday 1 July 2022. They replace Victoria’s seven previous Child Safe Standards and principles (Ministerial Order No. 870) in place since 2016.

The new Child Safe Standards are underpinned by Ministerial Order No. 1359 which was gazetted by the Victorian Government on 10 February 2022. Ministerial Order No. 1359 defines the actions schools and school boarding premises must take to meet the requirements of the new Child Safe Standards.

The new Victorian Child Safe Standards are:

1. Culturally safe environments– Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.
2. Leadership, governance and culture– Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
3. Child and student empowerment– Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
4. Family engagement– Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
5. Diversity and equity– Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
6. Suitable staff and volunteers– People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
7. Complaints processes– Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.
8. Child safety knowledge, skills and awareness– Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
9. Child safety in physical and online environments– Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
10. Review of child safety practices– Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
11. Implementation of child safety practices– Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

Further information regarding Child Safety can be found here https://www.ceosale.catholic.edu.au/child-safety/child-safety

Catholic schools have long been committed to providing safe learning environments for all children whilst in their care and remain committed to the continuous improvement and review of policies and procedures for ensuring the safety of children.

Unwell Students

We have seen a spike in COVID cases, influenza and gastro in our school community over the last couple of days. We all play an important part in keeping our community safe. A reminder to not send children to school who are showing any symptoms at all or who are unwell.

Our staff have also taken a hit from these illnesses, as a school we will do everything we can to maintain continuity of face-to-face learning including the increased use of casual staff. We will continue to make localised staffing decisions to ensure appropriate supervision can be maintained, however, we are not be able to guarantee particular staff for any cohort and students may not have their regular teacher.