Hello, from Carolyn.

Hello everyone!

Thank you all for your support with the recommendation that students 8 years and up wear a mask when indoors. It is very pleasing to see so many of our students confidently and comfortably returning to wearing masks.

Attendance.

A reminder that we are required to record student attendance and reasons for absences. You can help us by contacting us when your child is absent, or is going to be away on a future date. We prefer you to report student absences using Sentral, as that means the information goes straight in to our attendance records.

If students are unwell, then home is the best place for them. Having a day off for your birthday or 'just because' is not an acceptable reason for an absence. Ideally, family holidays are planned for school holiday breaks; if that's not possible, please work with your child's teacher to plan for learning that can happen while you are away. We want all our students at school, every day because, every day counts!

Child Safe Standards.

All children have the right to feel safe and be safe, but safety does not just happen. The Child Safe Standards exist to prevent harm and abuse from happening in organisations.

The new Standards provide more clarity for organisations and are more consistent with standards in the rest of Australia. There are now eleven standards-

Child Safe Standard 1 – 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.

Child Safe Standard 2 – Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.

Child Safe Standard 3 – Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.

Child Safe Standard 4 – Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.

Child Safe Standard 5 – Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.

Child Safe Standard 6 – People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.

Child Safe Standard 7 – Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.

Child Safe Standard 8 – Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.

Child Safe Standard 9 – Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.

Child Safe Standard 10 – Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.

Child Safe Standard 11 – Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

We have started the process of updating our policies and procedures to ensure we continue to provide a child safe environment and organisation. Keep an eye out in future newsletters for more information.