STRONG MINDS, 

GENTLE HEARTS

Thank you for your patience in the Stop Drop Go Zone while Barlow Park was closed for the Cairns Show.  

Restorative Justice – forgiveness – a whole-school approach 

One of the most challenging life skills we try to teach and embody in schools is that of forgiveness. The restorative justice framework we use at Saints aims to help young people give and receive forgiveness and to experience others doing the same. The capacity to forgive is often seen as a weakness, but those of us who have experienced deep forgiveness know that the fortitude of the person who has graced us with their forgiveness is amazingly strong and admirable. Let us be that person for others. 

Promoting a safe and supportive school environment 

At St Augustine’s College, the values of family spirit and brotherhood are consistently echoed by current students and graduates. These values form a cornerstone of our community and are actively nurtured through our pastoral care program. Our heads of year take a proactive and structured approach, embedding key topics such as bullying prevention, harassment awareness and resilience building into the program to support student wellbeing. 

The College maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying and harassment, reinforcing our commitment to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment. We recognise that this commitment is most effective when we work in close partnership with families, and we highly value the role parents and carers play in supporting this shared goal. 

If your son tells you that he is being bullied at school, we strongly encourage you to immediately contact his head of year. Every concern is treated seriously and addressed promptly and discreetly. 

To further support families, we recommend the following trusted resources from the Queensland Government Health and Wellbeing website: 

Resources for Parents and Carers: 

• Bullying. No Way! – Offers comprehensive advice, information, and activities for families to understand and address bullying. 
• Stop Cyberbullying – Provides practical guidance on identifying signs and supporting your child if they are affected by online bullying. 
• ThinkUKnow – Equips parents with knowledge and tools to help keep their children safe in the digital space. 
• iParent – Answers common questions and offers advice on protecting and supporting children online. 
• Social Media Services Safety Centre – Offers insights into popular platforms, tips for safe use, and tools to report inappropriate content. 

Together, we can continue to foster a school culture where every student feels safe, supported and empowered to thrive.